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Cochin Hospital – Port-Royal · AP-HP · Paris Cité University
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IR Cochin

Genicular Artery Embolization — Knee Osteoarthritis

Interventional Radiology · Cochin Hospital AP-HP · Paris

🦵 Knee Osteoarthritis

Genicular Artery Embolization — Knee Osteoarthritis

Synovial embolization · Outpatient · 70–80% pain improvement · No surgery

Key Facts at a Glance

  • 45–90 minutes procedure
  • Progressive improvement over 4–8 weeks
  • Mild knee discomfort 24–48h only

Principle

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) targets the abnormal blood vessels (neovascularization) supplying the inflamed synovium in osteoarthritic knees. Microspheres (75–100 µm) are injected hyperselectivley into genicular arteries, reducing synovial inflammation and pain.

Knee embolization at a glance — At a glance

Genicular artery embolization targets the abnormal blood vessels that sustain synovial inflammation in knee osteoarthritis, without surgery.

Criterion Data
Pain improvement70–80% at 12 months
EvidenceRandomised trials confirm benefit on pain (VAS) and function (WOMAC)
Effect on the jointTargets inflammation, does not alter cartilage or bone
CostCovered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees

Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.

Indications

Painful knee osteoarthritis with inflammatory component, resistant to at least 2 corticosteroid injections and physiotherapy. Neovascularization confirmed on Doppler ultrasound.

Procedure

Outpatient: arrive in the morning, leave same day. Local anesthesia. Angiography of knee vessels under fluoroscopy. Microsphere injection into pathological synovial arteries. Duration: 45 to 90 minutes.

Recovery

Same-day discharge. Mild knee discomfort 24–48h. Return to light activities the next day. Progressive improvement over 4 to 8 weeks. Follow-up at 3 months.

Results

70 to 80% significant improvement at 1 year. Procedure can be repeated if needed. Compatible with subsequent knee replacement if required.

Patient information sheet

📄

Patient information — Genicular Artery Embolization — Knee Osteoarthritis

Download before your consultation or procedure.

📥 Download (PDF)

Patient Information Sheet

📄

Patient information sheet

Download before your consultation.

📥 Download (PDF)

✅ Covered by French Social Security (Sécurité Sociale) · No extra fees · Cochin Hospital AP-HP

Related pages

Why this page is trustworthy

Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.

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