Promising New Treatment for Chronic Knee Pain

La Jolla Vein & Vascular Offers Geniculate Artery Embolization to Treat Knee Arthritis

LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--La Jolla Vein & Vascular offers novel treatment for chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis (OA). The treatment, called geniculate artery embolization (GAE), is a minimally-invasive procedure for patients with knee pain who have failed conservative therapy, such as medications, knee injections and are either not eligible or do not wish to undergo knee replacement surgery. GAE works by targeting vascular causes of inflammation in the knee joint.

Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain and disability in the United States. It is estimated that 13% of women and 10% of men aged 60 years and older have symptomatic knee OA. Until recently, the only options for pain management were medications, steroid injections and surgery. The GAE procedure is performed by an Interventional Radiologist, who injects tiny microscopic beads into the blood vessels that supply the knee joint. By shutting down these blood vessels, inflammation and cartilage destruction may be inhibited. Dr. Elliot DeYoung, head Interventional Radiologist at La Jolla Vein & Vascular explains that while using embolization to treat arthritis is new, this method has been used for years in other areas of medicine. Dr. DeYoung explains, “We use the same particles, the same materials and the same practices, but instead of treating vascular tumors, we’re treating inflammation, with excellent results.”

Maria Espinoza, who underwent the GAE procedure with Dr. DeYoung at La Jolla Vein & Vascular earlier this year, describes the effect it had on her health: “Before, I couldn’t walk due to my knee pain. After [GAE] treatment, the pain went away and I can walk much better now.” In an article published in the Society of Interventional Radiology in March 2021, average pain scores decreased from eight out of ten before GAE to three out of ten within the first week. The procedure takes one to two hours to complete. Patients go home the same day and, in most cases, can resume normal activities by the same evening. Dr. DeYoung encourages anyone who is considering GAE treatment to discuss it with their doctor.

About La Jolla Vein & Vascular:

La Jolla Vein & Vascular has two locations in San Diego County, California and is a leader in comprehensive vascular care. Other vascular disorders treated include peripheral arterial disease, varicose veins, leg ulcers, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pelvic congestion, labial varicose veins, varicocele, and uterine fibroids. Learn more about LJVV’s approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis with geniculate artery embolization (GAE) at www.LJVascular.com.