This article was medically authored by Dr. Kevin Lie and last reviewed for accuracy on 05/28/2026.

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Many patients who undergo this procedure find symptom relief, allowing them to delay or entirely avoid knee replacement surgery. But what is the success rate of GAE, and who is a candidate? Here’s what you need to know.

Key Takeaways

• The procedure has an excellent safety profile with minor, if any, side effects that self-resolve shortly after treatment  
• GAE is a treatment for knee osteoarthritis; ideal candidates have failed conservative treatments and hope to avoid surgery
• The technical success rate for GAE is close to 100%, with 71% of patients experiencing significant knee pain relief

Who is a Candidate?

Patients who choose to undergo GAE treatment are typically individuals who wish to stay active and reduce knee pain without undergoing surgery. That was the case for Greg Janssen, an active executive who traveled the world for his work, only to find that the constant movement, along with wear and tear, had resulted in knee osteoarthritis. For the next three years, he found his mobility—and quality of life—were severely hampered by his symptoms including pain, swelling and restless feelings in the evening.

Not wanting to slow down, Greg tried getting a cortisone shot as a form of knee pain management. And, for about two years, he was feeling better. But then, says Greg says, the relief wore off. “I went and got another cortisone shot,” he recalls, “and it lasted maybe six months.” When he went for a third shot, he was told it was time to consider other treatment options.  

Now, Greg knew people who’d had knee replacements, and was trying to avoid that surgical treatment option. Fortunately, his daughter in law had heard about a different treatment option—GAE—and suggested he explore his candidacy for this procedure. After his consultation, Greg was confirmed as a great candidate and had the procedure, hopeful that he would become a GAE success story.

What is the Success Rate of GAE

There are several ways to evaluate GAE success, according to the most recent scientific research. In this study,  following 25 patients, there was a 100% technical success rate for GAE. (Meaning all the procedures were performed perfectly, with no complications.) One following their treatment, 71% of patients resolved their knee pain, while 57% resolved their stiffness. Inflammation, function and quality of life also showed dramatic improvement, leading researchers to conclude that GAE is “providing clinically significant pain relief for a subset of patients.”

But the best way to learn the success rate of GAE, in our opinion, is to hear from real patients like Greg, whose lives have been changed by this non-surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Following his treatment, Greg reports, “I’m so happy with the results. Two days (after undergoing GAE), I was moving firewood and stacking it in the yard. I was feeling fantastic, no after effects at all.” And, after those first few days? Well, reports Greg, “The next week we flew down to Mexico, and did ziplining, bicycling and hiking.”

How did he get through all that activity, just one week after undergoing treatment for knee osteoarthritis? “It was kind of funny,” he says. “I was in a big group with my wife, my grandkids, our daughter-in law and son, and six other people on the adventure tour we took, and our guide told everyone: ‘You guys will have to keep up with him, because he’s leading the pack.’”

While the improved mobility was obvious almost immediately, Greg says the true success of GAE becomes more apparent each day. He reflects, “It has made our lives so much better. And I say ‘our’ because my wife is very active too, and I don’t want to be left behind.”   

Safety Profile

In addition to the success rate of GAE for Greg and other patients like him, research reports that this procedure is well-tolerated by most patients. All of the adverse events reported in the study were mild, including skin changes and slight bruising around the access site. (GAE treats knee osteoarthritis by blocking blood flow to the genicular artery to reduce inflammation. The blood is blocked by depositing tiny embolic particles in the artery, and those particles are delivered via catheter, requiring just a small access point of entry instead of a large surgical incision.) Luckily, in the current research, these mild effects resolved within five weeks of treatment, without requiring further intervention.

How Does GAE Compare to Surgery?

The pain-relief success rate of total knee replacement surgery is fairly high—close to 90% in younger patients. The results are also long-lasting, with most implants able to remain in place for between 15 and 25 years, according to The Arthritis Foundation. However, the recovery period is extensive, involving physical therapy and restrictions on activities for up to a year or longer after surgery. Plus, you will need to undergo general anesthesia, and stay overnight in the hospital following a knee replacement, and that increases the cost of your procedure. Finally, as with any surgery, there is a higher risk for side effects, and those effects could be more severe than the ones associated with GAE.

Understanding the Success Rate of GAE for You

Every patient is different, and there are many factors to consider when choosing your best knee osteoarthritis treatment. However, given the relatively high success rate of GAE, and its excellent safety profile, many patients prefer this option to surgical treatment. If you are considering minimally invasive knee osteoarthritis treatment and want to explore your GAE candidacy, we encourage you to contact our team at Georgia Endovascular to request a consultation at one of our three locations in the greater Atlanta region.