What is Geniculate Artery Embolisation?

Geniculate artery embolisation (GAE) involves blocking off the blood supply to the inflamed lining of the knee joint. 

This is a novel technique and while further research is needed, initial trials shows the promise this technique holds for patients with debilitating knee pain who are not ready or willing to undergo knee replacement surgery. VIRQ is part of a Queensland registry

 

Why perform Geniculate Artery Embolisation?

This operation can be useful for people who have had a total knee replacement and are having problematic bleeding into the joint, or in those with osteoarthritis not responding to pain medications or joint injections, but are not yet ready to have a knee replacement.

How does Geniculate Artery Embolisation work?

Embolisation of the geniculate artery is usually done under sedation in an operating room with specialised medical imaging equipment. Your interventional radiologist will use an ultrasound to guide a tube into the artery in the groin. They will then pass a microcatheter  (thin plastic tube) into the arteries supplying the knee joint and slowly inject tiny plastic particles into the arteries supplying the inflamed synovium (lining of joint). During the procedure, you will have ice packs placed over your knee. After the procedure these will be replaced with hot packs.

By blocking off the blood supply to these arteries, the inflammation is reduced, which in turn reduces pain.

Contact Us

appointments:

For appointment requests, please phone 0497 052 070. For general enquiries, please complete the contact form and a member of the VIRQ team will respond shortly.

Address:

Suite 20, 3 Doherty Street, Birtinya, QLD, 4575, Australia

Phone:

For all appointments and enquiries, please phone: 

Our office is attended Monday - Friday from 9am - 5.30pm.

General Enquiries