Editor’s note (October 4, 2026): this article has been lightly edited since it first appeared in May 2025. For our current information on GAE, see our genicular artery embolization page.
This article was originally published in The Oxford Eagle’s 2025 North Mississippi Health Care Guide.
Chronic knee pain can be a debilitating condition, making everyday tasks like walking, standing, or even sleeping a challenge. Many individuals with severe knee pain due to degenerative arthritis are left with limited treatment options once medicines, injections and physical therapy stop helping. The Vascular Institute, with a convenient office in Oxford, MS, offers Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) in North Mississippi, a newer, minimally invasive option for knee pain relief.
What is Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)?
GAE is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure designed to reduce knee pain by targeting the blood supply to inflamed knee tissues. According to Dr. Daniel Alterman, one of the vascular surgeons at the Vascular Institute,
“GAE is a game-changer for patients struggling with chronic knee pain. By reducing inflammation at the source, we can provide substantial relief without major surgery.”
The procedure involves inserting a tiny catheter into the genicular artery, through which microscopic beads are injected to block abnormal blood vessels that contribute to pain and inflammation. By reducing blood flow to the inflamed joint lining, the procedure aims to calm inflammation and reduce pain without surgery.
Who Can Benefit from GAE?
GAE may be an option for individuals suffering from chronic knee pain due to arthritis, especially those who have not found relief through traditional treatments such as pain medications, steroid injections, or physical therapy. It may also be considered by patients who are not yet ready for, or not eligible for, total knee replacement surgery.
Dr. Alterman emphasizes the importance of this treatment option, noting,
“Many of our patients come to us after exhausting all other options. GAE offers a minimally invasive approach that helps them regain mobility and improve their quality of life.”
In early clinical studies, and in our own experience, up to 85% of patients report significant pain relief, often lasting one to three years. Results in small sham-controlled trials have been mixed, and GAE does not help everyone. Our genicular artery embolization at VVIS page explains what is known and what is not.
The Benefits of GAE
- Minimally Invasive: No surgical incision and a short recovery; serious complications are uncommon.
- Targeted: GAE treats the abnormal blood vessels in the inflamed joint lining that are thought to contribute to pain.
- Outpatient Procedure: Patients return home the same day; most are back to light activity within a few days.
- Reduced Pain & Inflammation: When GAE works, relief builds over several weeks and, in our experience, often lasts one to three years.
Experience Advanced Care at the Vascular Institute
The Vascular Institute is the largest group of board-certified vascular surgeons in the Mid-South, specializing in both minimally invasive procedures and open surgery. With offices across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, they provide care for a wide range of vascular conditions.
For more information about GAE or to schedule a consultation at one of their locations, visit their website at vascularandveininstitute.com or contact them directly at 901-390-2930. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @thevascularinstitute
Is GAE an option for your knee? Take the 2-minute knee-pain check, read more about genicular artery embolization at VVIS, or schedule a consultation online.