Genicular Artery Embolization for Knee Arthritis
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) treats knee osteoarthritis pain in the inflamed joint lining — without opening the knee or placing a new joint. If injections are fading, request a consultation with Dr. John Smirniotopoulos to review whether this outpatient knee procedure is a fit.
Typically outpatient, with light sedation rather than general anesthesia
The procedure
Genicular artery embolization for knee osteoarthritis
GAE is transcatheter treatment of the genicular arteries that feed inflamed synovium. Tiny particles reduce that extra blood flow. It is one option among knee and joint treatments at Full Motion Joint and Spine — not a default for every MRI, and not a promised result.
Not a new knee
Not open surgery. Not the same as genicular nerve ablation, which quiets pain nerves instead of inflamed vessels.
MedStar procedures
Done in the MedStar hospital setting. Visit flow is on the Locations page.
Request a consult
Request a consultation so candidacy is decided in person — not from this page.
The lining
An alternative to knee replacement when inflammation drives the pain
Knee osteoarthritis pain from an inflamed joint lining — stiffness, swelling, night pain, walking limits — is the usual GAE consult. “Bone-on-bone” describes cartilage loss. It does not prove replacement is the only path, and it does not guarantee GAE will help. GAE does not grow cartilage.
The catheter
From a small wrist or groin access to the genicular arteries
A thin catheter is guided to the tiny vessels feeding hypervascular synovium. Microscopic particles reduce that extra flow. Most visits use light sedation, not general anesthesia. If the story is nerve signaling more than an inflamed lining, genicular nerve ablation (GNA) may be the better tool.
Candidacy
A consult if you hope to delay knee replacement
People ask about GAE after conservative care, when they are not ready for arthroplasty, or when they want an alternative to knee replacement. Dr. John Smirniotopoulos decides candidacy in person — not from this page.
Often discussed at consult
- Chronic knee osteoarthritis pain that limits walking, sleep, or daily tasks
- Injections that help only briefly or no longer help
- Interest in a non-surgical option instead of an immediate new joint
Candidacy is confirmed in person — not from this page.
Not decided from an MRI alone
GAE is not for every MRI. Infection, certain vascular findings, or pain from another structure can point elsewhere.
New severe pain, a hot swollen knee with fever, or inability to bear weight after injury needs urgent care — not this page.
The visit
Your GAE visit, start to finish
Before you arrive
Imaging review and simple prep. Eating or medicines change only if you are told. See Locations.
The day of treatment
A few hours from check-in through recovery. Small puncture. Arrange a ride home.
Going home
Typically an outpatient knee procedure with same-day discharge when the visit goes as planned.
Follow-up
If improvement comes, it often builds over weeks. Timelines vary. No success rate is quoted here.
Afterward
Genicular artery embolization recovery
Most people return to daily activity quickly, with limits given after the procedure. This is not knee-replacement recovery. Access-site soreness can occur. If GAE is not the right match, options include conservative care, genicular nerve ablation, or surgical evaluation with your existing team.
Care led by
Dr. John Smirniotopoulos
GAE is performed by a dual board-certified interventional and diagnostic radiologist, Associate Professor of Radiology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, fellowship-trained in vascular and interventional radiology (2020). Credentials are on the About page.
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Dual board-certified Interventional & Diagnostic Radiology
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American Board of Radiology
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Associate Professor of Radiology MedStar Georgetown
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Society of Interventional Radiology SIR
Before you book
GAE questions we hear at consult
Can GAE help with knee osteoarthritis?
It is used for OA pain linked to hypervascular synovium. Results vary. No outcome is guaranteed. Candidacy is confirmed at consult.
Is genicular artery embolization an outpatient knee procedure?
Yes. GAE is typically outpatient with same-day discharge when the visit proceeds as planned.
Can GAE help delay knee replacement?
Some people use GAE as part of a plan to delay replacement. That is a shared decision with your surgeons and only if you are a candidate.
How is GAE different from GNA?
GAE is artery-based. GNA is radiofrequency of genicular nerves. The consult decides which is a fit.