A newly published position statement from the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) highlights growing evidence supporting Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) as a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment option for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

According to the statement, GAE may help patients (who are either not ready for knee replacement surgery or are not ideal surgical candidates) who continue to experience knee pain despite conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or injections.

GAE works by targeting abnormal blood vessels and inflammation within the knee joint. Researchers and physicians increasingly recognize that osteoarthritis is not simply a “wear-and-tear” condition, but also involves inflammation that contributes to pain and reduced mobility. By reducing this abnormal blood flow, GAE may help relieve symptoms while preserving the natural joint.

The Society of Interventional Radiology’s statement also notes that current clinical studies support GAE as a durable and joint-preserving treatment, while encouraging additional large-scale studies to further refine patient selection and long-term treatment guidelines.

For patients seeking alternatives to knee replacement surgery, GAE continues to emerge as a promising option offered by interventional radiologists.