Osteoarthritis Embolization

Background and indications

Knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis) causes abnormal neovascularization and synovial membrane inflammation. Genicular artery embolization aims to reduce this neovascularization to relieve pain. It is offered for symptomatic arthritis resistant to medical treatment (analgesics, injections, physiotherapy).

Benefits

Pain reduction in 70-80% of cases, outpatient procedure, alternative or complement to injections, possibility of delaying joint replacement.

Procedure

Under local anesthesia, a catheter is introduced via the femoral artery and navigated to the genicular arteries of the knee. Small resorbable or permanent particles are injected into arteries showing abnormal neovascularization. The procedure lasts 1-2 hours.

Risks

Transient pain, puncture site hematoma, skin injury (exceptional). Tissue ischemia risk is very low thanks to the rich collateral vascularization of the knee.

Recovery and follow-up

Same-day discharge. Improvement is gradual over 1-3 months. Follow-up at 1 and 3 months.

Practical information

Local anesthesia. Outpatient procedure (return home the same day).