What is Genicular Artery Embolization?

0Have you been having a hard time with knee pain and other aches and pains in your body that you would like to get rid of? Have you tried everything, but nothing seems to work? Do you feel fed up and at the end of your rope?
If so, it would be wise for you to take some time to head to Google and search for “genicular artery embolization near me” because that could lead you to find a doctor in your area who can help you with a little-known but hugely consequential condition that could alter your life forever. 

What is Genicular Artery Embolization, and why should you know more about it? 

Knowing How GAE Works

Before we can decide if you should invest in Genicular Artery Embolization, you need to know more about your knee pain and what causes it. 

It all comes back to Osteoarthritis. Did you know that about 528 million people all over the world suffer from it? But even though it’s a worldwide problem, not a lot of people know the specifics about it. 

For those who have Osteoarthritis, it’s a problem that will lead to a lot of pain day-to-day. And it can get to the point where they can’t do much of anything, even walking down the street can be a pain. That is where Genicular Artery Embolization comes in, because it can solve all of that. But it needs to be considered carefully because surgery is always a big deal.

How Does Genicular Artery Embolization Help?

In essence, Genicular Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure that looks to take care of the arteries that surround your knee. By approaching and working on them, GAE is able to reduce some of the inflammation that makes knee pain so much worse. 

How GAE works is by cutting off some of the blood that goes to the joints that are causing the most problems. That might sound counterproductive and backwards, but it actually works. It attacks inflamed tissue and sends small particles into the troubled arteries, blocking the regular blood flow in that region of the body. And it can all be done quickly, painlessly, and with little time off your feet. 

What You Should Expect

Don’t worry, this procedure is only handled by trained experts who know exactly what they are doing. And you should walk into your operation knowing that it’s going to go smoothly because you are in expert hands.

The process is done via a catheter, which is a thin and flexible tube. This will be inserted into your upper thigh or perhaps your wrist. Once it is inserted, an X-ray machine will then get to work and help that catheter find the arteries that are going to be targeted. Once they have done that, they will then release the particles mentioned above and block the blood flow.

The best news is that it only takes a couple of hours to complete the entire procedure. Yes, you will have to be off your feet for the rest of the day and probably stay in bed, but within a few days, you’ll be up for some light activities, and then before you know it, you’ll be moving around much faster and easier.

Think about the alternatives. If you don’t invest in your knee health, a few things could happen. Either you will someday need major knee surgery, which may or may not work and will keep you off your feet for a very long time, or your knees will just stop working entirely.

If you are thinking of your long-term future and want to remain mobile for the years ahead, you should greatly consider Genicular Artery Embolization. It is a key way to help you feel better right away without taking you out of commission for too long. 

The Results

Many people who pursue Genicular Artery Embolization have seen very real and helpful results. Most people have found that the relief they find immediately after the procedure is still prominent months and even years later. 

Everyday activities such as walking up the stairs or going on a short, brisk jog are off the table for many people. But through the use of GAE, they are soon back to their regular lives. It may take a bit of time and it might not happen overnight, but the timetable for recovery is much faster than invasive and major surgery. 

The Safety

When it comes to safety, you shouldn’t worry at all when you are contemplating GAE. Remember, this is minimally invasive, which means you will avoid huge incisions and scars, and you won’t be staying in the hospital overnight. You will need some time to recover but it’s not nearly as long as what you would go through if you are going to get a bigger surgery. 

Is it totally risk-free? Not entirely. There can be certain complications with GAE, such as bruising, an allergic reaction to the catheter, and other issues. But they are minor compared to the pain that you feel in the knee, and they will soon be resolved too. 

For most people, GAE is easy to handle and far better than the alternative. 

Is It Right For You?

So, who is a good candidate for GAE? Well, there are actually millions of people who are perfect for it. Those who have knee pain because of osteoarthritis sit at the top of the list, but there are others, too. People who have found relief with their physical therapy regimen, for example, would also be great for this procedure.

Following that, those who don’t want to try a full-on knee surgery should think about GAE, too. That includes people who are at high risk of surgery complications and other health-related issues. 

All in all, GAE is a great medical procedure that can put an end to long-term knee pain that people think may never go away. So, that raises the question: why don’t more people talk about it?