Minimally Invasive Genicular Artery Embolization available in Bronx, NY

What is GAE?

Chronic knee pain is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life. While structural issues often contribute to knee pain, it’s increasingly understood that the development of abnormal, tiny blood vessels (neovascularity) in the synovial lining of the knee, accompanied by inflammation, plays a significant role in generating and perpetuating pain signals in many individuals, particularly those with osteoarthritis. This ‘vasculogenic’ component of chronic knee pain can be particularly difficult to manage with traditional pain relief methods.

This type of pain, sometimes referred to as vasculogenic knee pain, can be a challenging symptom to manage with conventional therapies alone. Recognizing this specific aspect of knee pain is important, as it allows for consideration of targeted, minimally invasive approaches available at specialized centers like Swift Vein and Vascular, which address the underlying vascular issue.

Symptoms of Chronic Knee Pain

Chronic knee pain, the condition often targeted by Genicular Artery Embolization when a vasculogenic component is identified, manifests as persistent discomfort and functional limitations in the knee joint. While the underlying cause of the pain may vary, the symptoms experienced by individuals with a significant vasculogenic component to their knee pain share common characteristics related to inflammation and abnormal blood flow.

• Long-standing pain: The primary symptom is persistent pain in the knee joint that has lasted for an extended period, typically six months or longer, distinguishing it from acute pain.
• Pain aggravated by activity: Movement, particularly activities involving weight-bearing such as walking, running, climbing stairs, or prolonged standing, often exacerbates the knee pain.
• Pain during rest: Some individuals experience pain even when they are not actively using the knee, which can be particularly troublesome at night and disrupt sleep. This resting pain can be a characteristic feature of inflammation driven by neovascularity.
• Stiffness: A feeling of stiffness in the knee, particularly in the morning or after periods of inactivity, which may improve slightly with movement but often returns.
• Difficulty with full movement: Impaired ability to fully extend or flex the knee, leading to limitations in the range of motion and impacting activities like squatting or kneeling.
• Swelling and tenderness: Visible swelling around the knee joint and tenderness when the area is touched or pressed, which can indicate underlying inflammation and irritation of the joint tissues.
  
  

  
  Causes and Risk Factors

  The chronic knee pain that can be effectively treated with Genicular Artery Embolization is frequently rooted in underlying conditions that lead to changes within the knee joint, particularly the development of abnormal blood vessels and inflammation. While often associated with the structural damage seen in conditions like osteoarthritis, the persistent pain can be significantly driven by this vasculogenic component. Various factors can increase an individual’s susceptibility to developing these conditions and the associated painful neovascularity.

  • Osteoarthritis (OA): This degenerative joint disease is a primary cause of chronic knee pain. While it involves cartilage breakdown, the resulting inflammation and the body’s attempt at repair can lead to the growth of abnormal, tiny blood vessels (neovascularity) in the synovial membrane, which are rich in pain nerve fibers.
  • Inflammation: Chronic inflammation within the knee joint, often driven by conditions like osteoarthritis or synovitis, promotes the development of this painful neovascularity. Inflammatory chemicals sensitize the nerves in these new vessels, leading to persistent pain signals.
  • Abnormal neovascularity: The direct cause of the vasculogenic pain targeted by GAE is the presence of these newly formed, hyperpermeable, and poorly formed blood vessels within the inflamed joint lining or other knee tissues. These vessels contain abundant nerve endings that transmit pain signals.
  • Advanced age: The natural aging process contributes to the wear and tear on joints, increasing the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis and the associated inflammatory and vascular changes.
  • Excess body weight (obesity): Increased mechanical load on the knee joint from obesity accelerates cartilage degeneration and exacerbates inflammation, both of which drive the development of painful osteoarthritis and associated neovascularity.Call Dr. Pradeep Goyal, today or book an appointment online to see if Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) can help reduce your knee osteoarthritis pain.