GAE is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure offered across California that calms the inflammation behind arthritis knee pain. No surgery, no hospital stay, and most patients are back to normal life within 48 hours.
Meet with our knee pain specialists, review your history, and get a clear answer about your options. No pressure, no obligation.
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In plain English: GAE is an FDA-recognized, image-guided treatment that calms the painful inflammation inside an arthritic knee, without surgery and without replacing the joint.
GAE blocks the abnormal blood vessels that fuel inflammation inside your arthritic knee.
A pinhole-sized catheter is guided through the artery. No incisions, no stitches.
Performed under light sedation in our outpatient suite. You’re awake but comfortable.
Most patients return to normal activity within 24–48 hours.
A simple, low-stress patient journey designed around comfort and speed.
Experiences like these reflect what patients often describe after choosing a non-surgical path to knee pain relief. Individual results vary.
“I was scheduled for a knee replacement. After GAE, I cancelled it. I’m walking my dog two miles a day with almost no pain.”
“The injections stopped working years ago. Within a few weeks of the procedure, I could finally sleep through the night again.”
“I was back to gardening in three days. No hospital, no anesthesia, no long recovery. I wish I’d done this sooner.”
“I was worried about surprise bills. The team checked everything up front, and the procedure was much easier than I expected.”
GAE was developed specifically for patients who have exhausted the usual options for knee arthritis pain. You may be a candidate if:
Skip the days in a hospital bed. GAE is performed in our outpatient suite. You’re home in time for dinner.
Most patients are walking the same day and back to normal routines within 48 hours, versus months of rehab after knee replacement.
No general anesthesia. No large incision. Just a tiny pinhole in the upper leg that heals on its own.
Our team verifies your Medicare coverage for free and handles the paperwork and pre-approvals for you.
Our West Medical physicians are directly involved in the care of every patient, from your initial eligibility review through your procedure and recovery. You’ll have a direct line to our doctors throughout the entire process.
See how GAE compares to knee replacement surgery and steroid injections.
| Feature | GAE | Knee Replacement | Steroid Injections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital stay required | No | Yes | No |
| General anesthesia | No | Yes | No |
| Recovery time | 1–2 days | 3–6 months | Same day |
| Targets root cause | Yes | Yes | No |
| Long-lasting relief | 1–3+ years | 10–20 years | 2–3 months |
| Medicare coverage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stitches / incisions | No | Yes | No |
| Risk of complications | Low | Moderate–High | Low |
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Comparison is for general education. Outcomes depend on individual health and physician evaluation.
Genicular Artery Embolization is covered by Medicare for qualified patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis pain. Our team verifies your Medicare benefits at no cost and handles the paperwork so you can focus on getting relief.
Schedule a free consultation online in minutes. Our care team will answer your questions and help you decide on next steps. No pressure, no obligation.
Schedule My Free Consultation →This page is for general education and is not medical advice.
