Knee Pain Treatment

Understanding Knee Pain Treatment Options

Treating knee pain can not only help relieve the discomfort caused by osteoarthritis of the knee but also slow down the progression of the condition, helping people regain their freedom to be active and enjoy life without debilitating symptoms. Most cases of osteoarthritis knee pain can be treated with minimally invasive solutions that alleviate pain, swelling, and stiffness and improve knee mobility.

USA Pain Centers specializes in non-surgical knee pain solutions, focusing on genicular artery embolization (GAE) as a minimally invasive alternative to knee surgery. 

Benefits of Non-Surgical Knee Pain Treatments

Non-surgical knee pain treatments are often the preferred approach for managing knee osteoarthritis. These minimally invasive procedures offer effective pain relief with fewer risks and less recovery time compared to surgery.

Knee replacement surgery is a major surgical procedure that requires a three to six-month recovery. It also increases a patient’s risk of infection and blood clots, and there is a risk that the prosthetic used to replace the knee joint will cause problems. Because of these risks, surgery is only considered the best knee pain treatment option for patients with end-stage osteoarthritis or severe joint deformity. 

Minimally invasive knee pain treatment options can provide relief with less downtime and fewer risks.

Non-surgical options reduce swelling and inflammation and slow the progression of knee joint degeneration, preserving the cartilage that prevents the knee bones from rubbing together. These treatments are effective for knee pain management and enhancing mobility, and they require very little downtime, allowing patients to get back to enjoying life symptom-free. 

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Common Causes of Knee Pain 

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain.¹ In the early stages of this condition, the main symptoms are mild pain and stiffness. As the condition progresses and the cartilage in the knee joint continues to break down, pain increases, and it can feel difficult to move the knee joint, especially after sitting for long periods. Also, activities like running, walking, and squatting start becoming painful. 

Eventually, enough cartilage breaks down to allow the bones of the knee to grind against each other. The knee is often stiff and painful at this stage, and issues with mobility and instability increase. 

Other common causes of chronic knee pain include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis – Symptoms are similar to knee osteoarthritis symptoms. It may feel difficult to bend and straighten the knee, and pain is most severe in the morning. 
• Gout – This condition is a form of arthritis that usually affects the big toe. However, it can also cause knee pain and swelling. 
• Overuse injuries – Athletes and people who strain their knees as part of their occupation can develop overuse knee injuries, such as bursitis and tendonitis, which cause pain and inflammation. 
• Infection (septic arthritis) – An infection of the knee joint will cause a sudden onset of pain along with swelling. There may also be warmth or redness around the knee and a fever. 

When to Seek Treatment for Knee Pain

It’s important to recognize when knee pain requires medical attention, as ignoring chronic knee pain can lead to long-term joint damage and declining mobility.

Signs that knee pain has become serious:

• Persistent pain despite rest and medication
• Reduced mobility and a limited range of motion
• Worsening swelling, stiffness, or instability

We recommend scheduling a consultation with a specialist when you begin noticing persistent knee pain and stiffness. If chronic pain is caused by osteoarthritis, early treatment can offer relief and slow down the progression of this condition. 

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE): Non-Surgical Solution 

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a non-surgical knee osteoarthritis treatment for moderate to severe knee pain performed by interventional radiologists. It can help alleviate symptoms when other non-surgical options aren’t effective. GAE is an option with proven efficacy rates for patients who want a longer-lasting solution to knee pain and who wish to avoid knee surgery.

How GAE Works

When the genicular arteries, which supply blood to the knee joint, become overactive due to osteoarthritis, it causes chronic inflammation and pain. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce blood flow to the inflamed genicular arteries. During the procedure, a doctor inserts a catheter into the blood vessels, releasing microscopic particles to slow circulation in the affected areas. By targeting select blood vessels, GAE helps decrease inflammation, relieve pain, and slow the progression of osteoarthritis. This treatment can alleviate symptoms and help patients delay or avoid knee replacement surgery.

Benefits of GAE

GAE is a non-surgical, outpatient procedure with a short recovery time. Most people can return to most activities in a few days. It also offers long-lasting pain relief without the risks of invasive surgery.  

How GAE Compares to Other Non-Surgical Knee Pain Treatments

Other non-surgical knee osteoarthritis treatments are effective for moderate to severe knee pain. However, they are primarily short-term solutions such as the following:

Take the First Step Toward Knee Pain Relief 

Don’t wait until symptoms are severe. Early intervention can help to prevent severe pain and mobility loss. 

The doctors at USA Pain Center specialize in genicular artery embolization (GAE) for osteoarthritis knee pain relief. Schedule a consultation with a knee pain specialist near you to determine if GAE is right for you.

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References

1. Vanneste, T., Belba, A., Oei, G. T. M. L., Emans, P., Fonkoue, L., Kallewaard, J. W., Kapural, L., Peng, P., Sommer, M., Vanneste, B., Cohen, S. P., & Van Zundert, J. (2025). 9. Chronic knee pain. Pain practice: the official journal of World Institute of Pain, 25(1), e13408.
2. Taslakian, B., Miller, L. E., Mabud, T. S., Macaulay, W., Samuels, J., Attur, M., Alaia, E. F., Kijowski, R., Hickey, R., & Sista, A. K. (2023). Genicular artery embolization for treatment of knee osteoarthritis pain: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis and cartilage open, 5(2), 100342.