Genicular artery embolisation (GAE) targets the abnormal blood vessels that drive osteoarthritis knee pain, and TAME applies the same principle to stubborn tendon and joint pain elsewhere, walk in, walk out, no surgery.
In knee osteoarthritis, and in chronic tendon conditions like tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis and rotator cuff tendinopathy, the body grows clusters of abnormal new blood vessels at the painful site. Alongside them grow new nerve endings, and together they sustain inflammation and pain. This is why some joints and tendons stay painful for years despite physiotherapy, medication and injections.
Embolisation switches those abnormal vessels off. Through a pinhole in the groin or wrist, a microcatheter is guided to the arteries around the knee (the genicular arteries) or the affected tendon, and tiny particles are injected into the abnormal vessel clusters. Normal vessels are spared. With the abnormal vessels gone, the inflammation and the pain signalling they sustain wind down. For tendons and other joints the technique is called transarterial micro-embolisation (TAME).
Your imaging and previous treatments are reviewed to confirm the pain pattern fits and embolisation is likely to help.
Under sedation, through a single pinhole. Contrast imaging maps the abnormal vessels in real time before they are treated.
You'll be walking before discharge. Mild ache or skin mottling near the treated area for a few days is common and settles.
Pain typically improves over two to six weeks. You continue physiotherapy to convert pain relief into strength and function.
GAE is a newer treatment supported by a growing body of international trials: the majority of well-selected patients experience meaningful pain reduction lasting one to several years, and the procedure can be repeated. It does not regrow cartilage and it is not a substitute for joint replacement in end-stage arthritis. It's a way to control pain and stay active in the years before (or instead of) surgery.
Risks are low: temporary skin discolouration or numbness, a small bruise at the puncture site, and an ache for a few days are the common ones. Non-responders exist, roughly one in four or five patients gets less relief than hoped, and patient selection is the main defence, which is exactly what the consultation is for.
No, if your arthritis is end-stage, replacement remains the definitive treatment. GAE suits the long middle phase: real pain, but not ready (or not able) to have a joint replaced. It never burns bridges; replacement remains fully available afterwards.
Published studies report benefit commonly lasting one to four years, and the procedure can be repeated. Individual results vary, which Dr Tarr will discuss frankly against your imaging and symptoms.
The strongest experience is in tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, Achilles and shoulder (rotator cuff) tendinopathy, and gluteal tendinopathy, typically when pain has persisted beyond 3–6 months of proper conservative care.
The procedure itself is done under sedation and is well tolerated. Some patients have a temporary flare of ache for a few days afterwards before the improvement begins.
A short explainer on genicular (knee) artery embolisation from Dr Chris Rogan, an Australian interventional radiologist.
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