Exploring How Effective Is GAE For Knee Osteoarthritis
Did your doctor suggest GAE to treat your knee osteoarthritis? Have you ever heard of this treatment before? Are you sure if it is effective enough to provide relief? You might have questions running through your head. Here, you can know everything about GAE treatment, its effectiveness, the latest insights, and patient outcomes.
Various traditional treatments like injections, medications, physiotherapy, etc., are still helping people with mild osteoarthritis symptoms. But for severe cases, not everyone is eligible for knee replacement. The solution is GAE, but it is vital to know how effective is Genicular Artery Embolization treatment is. Let’s explore more about it.
How Is GAE Helpful In Treating Osteoarthritis?
Anyone with Osteoarthritis experiences tears in their knee joints gradually. Due to the thinning of cartilage, inflammation will increase, which can cause stiffness and pain. The doctor treats inflammation to provide relief from pain and reduce swelling.
Patients can move their knees smoothly, and they can even return to their daily activities. Reduced pain helps you sleep better and minimizes the need to take painkillers. If your knee condition is becoming worse even after traditional treatments, it is advisable to go for GAE.
How Effective Is GAE For Knee Osteoarthritis?
Everyone is curious to know whether the new GAE knee treatment gives good results. According to the latest studies, doctors have observed that after the treatment, there is a reduction in knee pain over time. Patients are living a quality life with better mobility. This treatment has eventually postponed knee replacement for many patients.
There is no need to undergo any massive surgery because GAE is effectively providing relief. But you need to know that GAE is not a cure for knee osteoarthritis. It helps in reducing inflammation and improving overall knee functioning.
Expect to get long-term relief from pain, but there are still chances of additional treatments in later stages. Overall, it is a non-surgical treatment that promises pain relief and better recovery. It is good to take a chance and try GAE treatment before you go for knee replacement.
Who Can Expect To Get Benefits From GAE?
If you are suffering from knee osteoarthritis and have not gotten relief from all the basic therapies, you can opt for GAE. Know whether you can choose this therapy:
- If the pain is moderate or the early phase of knee osteoarthritis
- When injections, medicines, and physiotherapy are not enough to get pain relief.
- Consider GAE treatment for knees if you are not fit for major surgery.
- If you want to avoid knee replacement surgery.
When Is GAE Not Suitable For Knee Patients?
GAE gives amazing results only when you are completely eligible for this therapy. It may not be the best treatment if:
- Your knees are severely damaged
- There is a bone-to-bone contract
- Major deformity in your knees
- Expecting this treatment for reversing arthritis
The Procedure Of GAE Treatment
It is okay to feel anxious about any new therapy. Know the step-by-step procedure to stay comfortable during and after the treatment.
- Your doctor will start the procedure by numbing your legs with local anesthesia.
- A tiny needle is inserted into a small tube in your blood vessel.
- With the help of X-ray guidance, your doctor will find the inflamed arteries.
- Excess blood supply will be reduced by injecting tiny particles.
- The entire procedure will be completed in 70 to 90 minutes.
There is no need to stay in a hospital after the procedure. Many patients can go home once the therapy is complete. There may be mild soreness, which will go away within a few days.
After one day, you can move your legs and resume daily activities in four to five days. Stay in touch with your pain management doctor to assess your treatment and improve your condition.
Comparison Of GAE With Other Knee Osteoarthritis Treatments
When you start developing the condition of knee osteoarthritis, the treatment begins with medications like painkillers and lifestyle changes. To improve flexibility and increase mobility, your pain management specialist can suggest physiotherapy along with medications.
If your condition continues to stay the same and you do not get any relief, the solution is the steroid injections. For months, you can expect quick relief and move comfortably. For moderate joint lubrication, your doctor may give HA or PRP injections, which is a low-invasive procedure.
All these traditional treatments last for months and give relief for the short term. Now, if you are having moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis, the best minimally invasive treatment you can go for is GAE.
It helps in relieving persistent pain and is effective enough for years. You can avoid massive knee surgeries for many years. If you are still not getting relief, the last option is knee replacement surgery, which gives long-term relief and is recommended in highly severe cases.
Is GAE Treatment Safe?
For many patients, GAE treatment is a completely safe and considerable option. But you can experience several side effects, like soreness or pain that lasts for two to three days. There can be bruises or redness near the injection site.
It is rare to have side effects like skin discoloration, numbness, or any serious complications. It is better to consult your doctor or specialists before undergoing this treatment.
Maintain Knee Health For Lasting, Effective GAE Results
Considering GAE to improve your knee health is not enough. Keep your knee healthy at first to make the treatment last for years. Eat healthy and stay active to maintain your knee health. Whenever your knees or legs feel stiff, apply a hot compress to get relief.
Strengthen your leg muscles to protect your knees. Stay in touch with Advanced Medical Group to clear more doubts regarding GAE. Talk to your knee specialist about your condition and see if this treatment is right for you. After proper guidance, go for this treatment; get relief from pain in your knees for the long term without undergoing any major surgery.
