Genicular Artery Embolization

February 16, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Cherng Chao, M.D., associate clinical professor, division of interventional radiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope^®® Cancer Center Duarte.

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a procedure that may help reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. GAE works by blocking the flow of blood to abnormal vessels around the knee joint to decrease inflammation and pain.

GAE for Knee Pain

GAE is a minimally invasive treatment that may help manage or reduce knee pain. It is most often used to treat osteoarthritis of the knee. However, it may also be used to treat conditions such as synovitis (which affects the lining of the joint) or hemarthrosis (a condition where there is bleeding inside the joint).

During GAE, doctors use a catheter to inject particles to stop blood flow to abnormal vessels in the knee joint. This abnormal blood flow is one of the major causes of inflammation and pain in the knee joint. GAE is an interventional radiology procedure, which means it is performed by doctors who are trained to use imaging to guide minimally invasive treatments. It has a high success rate and may help delay the need for knee replacement surgery.

Who Is a Candidate?

GAE is most often recommended for patients who:

• Do not want to or cannot undergo knee replacement surgery
• Have knee osteoarthritis that has not responded to other treatment options
• Have mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee
• Have not yet had knee replacement surgery
• Tend to be between 40 and 80 years old and want to remain active in their daily lives or continue to take part in activities or sports

Genicular Artery Embolization Procedure

GAE is performed under moderate sedation as an outpatient procedure, which means most patients go home the same day. During a GAE procedure:

• While the patient is under sedation, the medical team inserts a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) into the body through an artery in the groin or foot
• Doctors use X-ray imaging to guide the catheter to the genicular arteries, which are blood vessels that bring blood to the lining of the knee joint
• Small particles called embolic agents are placed through the catheter into blood vessels around the knee that are causing inflammation or pain

“The procedure may take one to two hours,” said Cherng Chao, M.D., an interventional radiologist with City of Hope Cancer Center^® Duarte.

After GAE, most patients are able to return to normal activities within a few days. Pain relief may begin within a few days and continue to improve over the course of weeks, offering relief from knee pain.

Genicular Artery Embolization Side Effects

As with any medical procedure, GAE may cause side effects. However, these are usually minor and temporary, since GAE is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment. The most common side effects are:

• Skin discoloration around the knee joint
• Bruising or a hematoma (a pooling of blood under the skin) where the catheter was inserted into the body

A small number of patients also experience a tingling, numb or prickly sensation around the knee, where the blood flow has been blocked.