🏆 Our expertise
Our department was one of the first centres in France to offer this innovative technique for chronic joint pain resistant to medical treatment.
❓ What is genicular artery embolization?
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is an interventional radiology technique that selectively reduces the abnormal blood supply to the inflamed synovial membrane of the knee. It is performed under fluoroscopic guidance, without surgery, through a catheter introduced via a small skin puncture at the wrist or groin.
The technique is particularly indicated for inflammatory knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis), where a hypertrophied, hypervascular synovial membrane is the primary source of pain. It is also effective for inflammatory shoulder (frozen shoulder) and other joint conditions.
💡 Why consider GAE?
- Durable relief of chronic joint pain resistant to steroid injections
- Effective alternative to repeated intra-articular corticosteroid injections
- May delay or avoid joint replacement surgery
- Minimally invasive, day case, no scar
- Evidence-based: published in international peer-reviewed literature for gonarthrosis, frozen shoulder and other arthropathies
🔬 How does the procedure work?
Pre-procedure consultation — review of imaging (X-ray + MRI), pain scoring, WOMAC questionnaire
Outpatient admission — local anaesthesia at the wrist (preferred access for knee GAE)
Arteriography — the genicular arteries supplying the synovium are identified under fluoroscopy
Selective embolization — calibrated microspheres (75–150 µm) are injected through a microcatheter
Discharge 2–4 hours later — pain relief typically begins within 1–4 weeks
⚡ At a glance — key figures
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) treats the pain of knee osteoarthritis by occluding the abnormal micro-vessels (neovascularisation) that sustain synovial inflammation — through a catheter, under local anaesthesia, without surgery.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Effect on pain | Significant improvement in 70–80% of cases at 12 months |
| Randomised trial data | At least 50% reduction in pain (VAS) and in the WOMAC function score at 1 year; one trial reports −61% WOMAC and −67% pain |
| Indication | Painful knee osteoarthritis resistant to medical treatment (physiotherapy and injections), in patients not yet candidates for, or declining, joint replacement |
| Anaesthesia / stay | Local anaesthesia — day case, walking immediately |
| Effect on the joint | Targets pain and synovial inflammation — does not repair cartilage, does not worsen osteoarthritis |
| Burns no bridges | Injections, repeat embolization or knee replacement all remain possible afterwards |
| Cost | Covered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees |
Sources: two recent randomised trials confirming benefit on pain (VAS) and function (WOMAC) at 1 year; GENESIS (UK) and Japanese series (Okuno et al.). Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How long does pain relief last?
Can GAE be performed if I have already had knee surgery?
Is GAE covered by French health insurance?
Is knee embolization effective?
Embolization or injections — which first?
Does embolization worsen osteoarthritis?
Does it prevent me having a knee replacement later?
Who is a candidate?
📄 Patient information leaflet: Download PDF →
✅ Covered by French health insurance (Assurance Maladie). No extra fees at 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.