An innovative non-surgical procedure known as knee artery embolization (GAE) significantly reduces knee pain and improves mobility in patients who do not respond to traditional treatment methods. Results of the study, published in the journal Radiology, demonstrate a sustained decrease in pain levels over 12 months.
According to the study conducted at a German hospital, pain scores on a scale from 0 to 10 dropped from 7 at the start of the study to 4 after 6 weeks, and further to 3 after 6 months. The study involved 194 patients (114 women and 80 men) who underwent treatment after traditional methods failed to provide relief for at least three months.
Mechanism and Benefits
The GAE procedure involves blocking abnormal blood vessels that form around the affected knee joint and contribute to increased inflammation and pain. A radiologist guides a thin catheter to the target vessels, injecting microscopic gelatin-based particles to close them off. This process helps reduce inflammation and alleviate pain without the need for surgical intervention.
The lead researcher, Dr. Florian Nima Fleckenstein from Charité University Hospital in Berlin, noted that there is a “real gap in treatment for many patients with knee joint inflammation”. Traditional methods, such as intra-articular injections, often do not provide sufficient relief, and joint replacement is not always feasible due to medical or personal reasons.
Among the study participants, 45 patients received treatment for both knees. In addition to significant pain reduction, patients also reported noticeable improvements in mobility, joint inflammation symptoms, and quality of life throughout the observation period. Researchers emphasize that this underscores the importance of GAE as a promising treatment option for cases that do not respond to traditional approaches.
Source: Sky News Arabia