Mercy Hospital
Part of HCA Florida Healthcare
Miami, FL
Affiliated cardiologist providing inpatient cardiovascular and vascular care.
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Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) for Knee Pain in Miami
This page is educational and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results vary. Please consult a licensed physician for guidance about your specific situation.
By selectively reducing abnormal blood flow to the inflamed lining of the knee, GAE significantly decreases pain — often within weeks — without surgery, general anesthesia, or joint replacement.
Condition
Understanding Knee Osteoarthritis Pain
Knee osteoarthritis is a progressive "wear-and-tear" disease in which the protective cartilage of the knee joint breaks down, causing inflammation, stiffness, and chronic knee pain. As the joint becomes inflamed, abnormal new blood vessels (neovascularity) grow into the synovial lining — and these vessels carry the inflammatory cells and pain signals that drive much of the daily discomfort patients experience.
Common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis
- Persistent aching or sharp knee pain, especially with walking, stairs, or standing
- Morning stiffness that improves with movement
- Swelling, warmth, or tenderness around the joint
- Reduced range of motion and a "grinding" sensation
- Pain that disrupts sleep or limits daily activities
When this inflammation-driven pain persists despite conservative care, it is often the abnormal blood supply — not the cartilage itself — that is fueling the symptoms. That is exactly what Genicular Artery Embolization is designed to target.
Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Treatment for Chronic Knee Pain
Most patients with knee osteoarthritis start with conservative, non-surgical treatments. GAE fits into this spectrum as an advanced, image-guided option for patients who have not gotten enough relief from earlier steps but want to delay or avoid total knee replacement surgery.
Lifestyle & physical therapy
Weight management, low-impact exercise, and targeted physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve joint mechanics.
Medications
Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and topical analgesics to reduce pain and inflammation when appropriate.
Injections
Corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, or PRP injections that can provide temporary relief but often wear off over weeks to months.
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)
A minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that targets the inflamed blood vessels driving knee pain — no general anesthesia, no surgical incision, and no joint replacement.
Who is a candidate for GAE?
GAE is appropriate for patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis whose pain has not responded to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, NSAIDs, or steroid injections — and who want to delay or avoid total knee replacement. It is also an option for patients who are not surgical candidates.
How the GAE procedure works
GAE is performed under light sedation through a small catheter inserted in the wrist or groin. Using image guidance, Dr. Martinez-Clark navigates the catheter to the genicular arteries that supply the inflamed knee tissue and delivers tiny microspheres that reduce abnormal blood flow. The entire procedure typically takes under an hour, and most patients walk out the same day.
Recovery and expected results
Most patients return to normal activity within 24–48 hours. Pain relief typically begins within a few weeks and continues to improve over several months. Clinical studies have shown sustained pain reduction at 1 and 2 years post-procedure for the majority of patients.
Hospital Affiliations
Where Dr. Martinez-Clark Practices
Dr. Martinez-Clark holds active staff affiliations at the following Miami-area hospitals, providing continuity of care from the office to the bedside.
Frequently Asked Questions
GAE for knee pain — what patients ask most
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Consultation & imaging review
We review your knee imaging, prior treatments, and goals to confirm whether GAE is a reasonable option for you.
Pre-procedure preparation
Simple prep at home the night before — no general anesthesia, no hospital admission.
GAE procedure day
Under light sedation, the procedure typically takes 60–90 minutes through a wrist or groin pinhole.
Same-day discharge & short recovery
Most patients go home within a few hours and resume normal activity within 24–48 hours.
Follow-up on pain relief
We check in during the weeks and months after — pain relief often begins in 1–4 weeks and continues to improve.
Tired of chronic knee pain?
A short consultation confirms whether Genicular Artery Embolization is a fit for your specific knee — and answers your questions about recovery and results.