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GAE vs. Cortisone Shots: Which is the Right Choice?
Approximately 37% of Americans over the age of 60 experience chronic pain from osteoarthritis of the knee. The risk of OA only increases with age, causing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and loss of mobility. When it comes to finding relief from knee osteoarthritis, multiple non-surgical treatment options can help, including genicular artery embolization (GAE) and cortisone shots. GAE is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that blocks the blood flow to the lining of the knee joint, allowing people to achieve long-lasting relief from knee pain without the need for surgery. Cortisone shots, on the other hand, provide relief from knee pain by injecting corticosteroid medication directly into the joint. While effective in providing immediate results, cortisone shots only provide temporary relief to chronic knee pain with results only lasting for a few months.
Genicular Artery Embolization
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that helps treat severe knee pain caused by mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. It targets the genicular arteries responsible for supplying blood to the inflamed joint lining in the knee, effectively reducing pain and inflammation. GAE can offer long-term relief if cortisone shots and other treatments have not helped in the past. The following are other benefits of GAE.
- Longer lasting knee pain relief
- Improved knee function and range of motion
- Reduced knee pain and inflammation
- Symptom improvement for 1 to 3 years
Cortisone Shots
Cortisone shots, or corticosteroid injections, involve injecting a corticosteroid medication directly into the knee joint to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain associated with osteoarthritis. Cortisone injections may be considered if you have knee osteoarthritis and are seeking short-term relief from pain and inflammation. Although cortisone shots offer quick pain relief and short recovery time, they’re not a long-term solution, and repeated injections may damage your joint.
- Temporary knee pain relief
- Symptom improvement only lasts for 2 to 3 months
- Requires periodic injections to manage knee pain
- Long-term use of cortisone can weaken bones and muscles
Don’t let knee pain limit your life any longer! Schedule an appointment with our specialist to start your pain-free journey today.
GAE Procedure vs. Cortisone Injections
Cortisone shots involve injecting corticosteroid medication into the knee joint. The injected corticosteroid has anti-inflammatory properties that help suppress inflammation in the joint, resulting in temporary relief from knee pain and swelling and improved joint function. Cortisone shots can be administered in a doctor’s office, and it’s a relatively quick procedure that involves minimal discomfort.
Genicular artery embolization is performed by an interventional radiologist in an outpatient setting using moderate sedation. During the procedure, a physician makes a small incision in the upper thigh and inserts a small catheter, aided by image-guided technology, into the arteries supplying the lining of the knee. Tiny particles are injected into these arteries, blocking the blood flow to the knee joint to reduce inflammation and provide knee pain relief. It’s a same-day procedure that generally only takes one to two hours.
Genicular Artery Embolization vs. Cortisone Shot Recovery
Cortisone shots offer a quick recovery time with patients going home the same day. The cortisone’s anti-inflammatory effects typically take around 3-7 days to kick in. Once it does, you should experience a gradual reduction in pain and swelling. Your doctor may advise you to avoid strenuous activities or put excessive weight on the injected area for a few days to allow for proper healing.
The recovery for genicular artery embolization also offers a shorter recovery time. Patients can go home the same day and resume light activities one week after the procedure. The procedure’s effects typically take around two weeks for you to feel knee pain relief and an improved range of motion.
Which Knee Pain Treatment is Right For You?
At American Knee Pain Centers, we believe that patients should be aware of all non-surgical knee pain treatment options for osteoarthritis. If you’re deciding between GAE and cortisone shots, there are multiple factors to consider. While a cortisone shot provides quick and effective relief from pain and inflammation, the effects are often temporary and require repeated injections almost every six weeks. Prolonged and frequent use of cortisone shots may also have potential side effects, including cartilage damage.
We recommend genicular artery embolization at American Knee Pain Centers for patients considering non-surgical treatment options for knee osteoarthritis. GAE is an innovative, minimally invasive image-guided procedure for patients who have chronic knee pain and have not found relief from repeated conservative treatment methods, such as regular cortisone shots. GAE also effectively reduces pain and inflammation and improves knee function and range of motion for up to three years, providing longer relief for osteoarthritis knee pain and inflammation.
Why Choose American Knee Pain Centers for GAE?
American Knee Pain Centers is a premier destination for treating knee pain associated with osteoarthritis, offering unparalleled expertise and cutting-edge treatments, such genicular artery embolization (GAE). GAE is an innovative procedure that precisely targets the genicular arteries, addressing the root cause of osteoarthritis-related knee pain. We take pride in this approach and have a team of affiliated interventional radiologists dedicated to providing effective and efficient minimally invasive solutions. Our focus on GAE reflects our commitment to advancing minimally invasive treatment options for osteoarthritis, presenting patients with a better alternative treatment that significantly reduces knee pain and enhances joint function.
Our Knee Pain Specialists
Our affiliated knee pain specialists are a team of experienced board-certified interventional radiologists in New York and New Jersey who understand your frustration with osteoarthritis knee pain. Our team works with you to understand your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan that relieves your pain and improves your mobility. You can find the following specialists at our New York and New Jersey locations.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Don’t let knee pain limit your life any longer! Schedule an appointment with our specialist to start your pain-free journey today.