According to a groundbreaking study, a new injection treatment could spare millions from knee replacement surgery and provide lasting relief from osteoarthritis pain.
The minimally invasive procedure, called Genicular Artery Embolisation (GAE), targets inflammation in the knee by blocking blood flow to abnormal vessels around the joint. Researchers say this disrupts the cycle of pain, cartilage breakdown, and nerve growth associated with knee osteoarthritis — the most common joint disorder affecting more than 365 million adults worldwide.
While current treatments like painkillers and steroid injections only manage symptoms, GAE appears to address the root cause. A study led by Dr. Florian Fleckenstein of Charité University Hospital in Berlin followed 403 patients aged 40 to 90 who had moderate to severe osteoarthritis and hadn’t responded to standard therapies.
One year after undergoing GAE, patients reported an 87% improvement in quality of life and a 71% reduction in pain scores, with no serious side effects. Only 18% experienced minor temporary discomfort.
Dr. Fleckenstein called the results “a potential game-changer” for millions suffering from chronic knee pain, especially those not ready or suitable for surgery. The study also found GAE to be especially effective in early stages of osteoarthritis, suggesting it could delay or prevent the need for more invasive procedures altogether.
These findings were presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting, with hopes that GAE will soon be more widely available. As an added bonus, earlier this year, scientists also revealed a new injectable “goo” made from hyaluronic acid and peptides that may help regrow cartilage — another promising leap in the fight against joint degeneration.
