Knee Embolization (GAE)
A Great Option for Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain
If knee arthritis is limiting your daily activities but you're not ready for surgery, Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) might be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for. This outpatient procedure targets the inflammation-driving blood vessels in the knee, helping reduce pain and restore function.
What Is GAE?
Performed in under 90 minutes, Dr. Nutting uses X-ray guidance to access the arteries around the knee and block off abnormal blood vessels with tiny particles. This reduces inflammation and pain—without surgery or joint injections.
Who Is a Candidate?
Patients with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis.
Those not ready for or wishing to avoid knee replacement.
Individuals who’ve failed physical therapy, medications, or injections.
Patients looking for a bridge solution before surgery.
Who Is Not a Candidate for GAE?
GAE is not right for everyone. It may not be appropriate if you have an active knee infection, significant peripheral artery disease, reduced kidney function that makes contrast dye unsafe, or severe contrast allergy or are pregnant. The only way to know for certain is a personal evaluation, where Dr. Nutting reviews your history and imaging with you. Schedule a consultation to find out where you stand.
Knee Arthritis Severity and Where GAE Fits
Doctors grade knee osteoarthritis on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale, from grade 1 (minor) to grade 4 (severe, bone-on-bone), using a weight-bearing X-ray. GAE is most studied in mild-to-moderate arthritis, usually grades 2 and 3, for patients in the treatment gap: knee pain that disrupts daily life but does not yet call for joint replacement. It is also offered as a bridge for more advanced arthritis when surgery is unwanted or not possible, though the right fit is always decided by examination and imaging.
GAE Recovery Timeline
GAE is completed in under 90 minutes in our outpatient lab under moderate sedation, and patients walk out and go home the same day. You can resume light daily activities within 24 to 72 hours, and should avoid heavy activity for about two weeks, then feel pain relief build over the next one to three months as inflammation calms. Most patients do not need crutches, and pairing GAE with low-impact exercise supports the best long-term results.
- No hospital stay or general anesthesia
- 1-hour outpatient procedure
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- May delay or eliminate the need for surgery
- Active clinical trial site with principal investigator Dr. Nutting
You’ll walk out of the clinic the same day. Most patients resume normal activities within 24–72 hours. Early data and experience show significant pain reduction and improved mobility lasting months to years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pain Relief
How much pain relief can I expect from GAE?
Most patients in published studies report meaningful pain reduction and better function, and research from major medical centers shows relief that often lasts about a year and sometimes up to two. Results vary, and milder arthritis tends to respond better, so relief cannot be guaranteed.
When will I start to feel better?
GAE is not an instant fix. Some relief may come within a couple of weeks, but the strongest benefit usually builds one to three months after the procedure as inflammation settles.
How long does the pain relief last?
In current studies, relief commonly lasts one to two years, depending on your arthritis severity, activity level, and overall health. If symptoms return, a repeat GAE or other treatments remain available.
Does GAE cure knee arthritis?
No. GAE eases the inflammation that drives pain, but it does not reverse arthritis or regrow cartilage, and it does not rule out a knee replacement later if you ever need one.
Is GAE a proven treatment?
GAE is an emerging procedure with promising results but still-developing long-term data. Dr. Nutting is helping advance that evidence as a principal investigator in an international clinical trial and will explain what the research shows during your consultation.
This information is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. GAE is an emerging treatment and individual results vary. Always consult Dr. Nutting or another qualified provider about your specific situation.
GET IN TOUCH
Contact Dr. Nutting
Feel free to do you own research and reach out with any questions or concerns to see if an image guided procedure could be right for you. I believe that as an empowered patient, you are your own best advocate.
Location
- 8390 E Crescent Parkway, Suite 120 Greenwood Village, CO 80111