Knee Arthritis

What should I know about knee arthritis?

Knee arthritis is inflammation and pain in the knee. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, but your knees are especially vulnerable because of the daily wear-and-tear.

Several types of arthritis affect the knees. The most common is osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint condition that occurs from the gradual wearing away of the cartilage that separates the bones in the knee joint.

The bone-on-bone contact causes inflammation, pain, and stiffness. You may also develop bone spurs from the constant rubbing of the bones, worsening the pain.  

My knee pain is getting worse. What are the treatments for knee arthritis?

Because knee arthritis is a progressive condition, worsening of your pain is expected. Treatment for knee arthritis depends on the severity of your pain and damage to the knee joint. 

During the early stages of arthritis, you may get relief from over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, as your condition worsens, you may need other treatments like physical therapy or knee injections. 

When you have debilitating pain and severe damage to the knee, you may need knee replacement surgery.

Pearl Cardio-Vascular of Inland Empire offers a minimally invasive procedure for knee arthritis called genicular artery embolization (GAE) that can provide long-term relief without surgery.

How does genicular artery embolization help knee arthritis?

GAE helps knee arthritis by reducing inflammation in the knee. For the procedure, your provider at Pearl Cardio-Vascular of Inland Empire inserts a catheter into an artery in your leg and slowly advances it to the knee. 

They inject tiny particles into the blood vessel, reducing the flow of blood (embolization) to the lining of the knee, reducing inflammation and pain. 

GAE is an outpatient procedure your provider at Pearl Cardio-Vascular of Inland Empire performs onsite. Though results vary, you may experience pain relief about two weeks after the procedure and continued relief for up to four years.

When should I consider genicular artery embolization for knee arthritis?

You should consider GAE for knee arthritis if you have osteoarthritis of the knee that causes severe pain and you want to avoid knee replacement surgery.

Your provider at Pearl Cardio-Vascular of Inland Empire can talk to you about the procedure and help determine if it’s the right choice for you.

Call Pearl Cardio-Vascular of Inland Empire today or book an appointment online.