Scientists Find a New Knee Arthritis Treatment That May Offer Lasting Pain Relief Without Surgery - Video

Could knee arthritis pain be treated without surgery or joint replacement? A new study suggests that a minimally invasive procedure targeting abnormal blood vessels around the knee may provide sustained pain relief and improve mobility in people with osteoarthritis.

Published in the journal Radiology, the study examined the effectiveness of genicular artery embolization (GAE), a procedure that uses tiny, rapidly dissolving particles to block abnormal blood vessels contributing to inflammation and chronic knee pain.

Knee osteoarthritis affects more than 365 million adults worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. Although treatments such as physiotherapy, medications and joint injections can provide relief, some patients continue experiencing significant pain and limited mobility.

The study included 194 patients with persistent knee osteoarthritis symptoms despite at least three months of conventional treatment. Participants had a median age of 69 years, and researchers performed 239 embolization procedures using biodegradable gelatin-based microspheres that dissolve within hours.

During the procedure, a thin catheter was guided into selected arteries supplying inflamed knee tissue, allowing targeted delivery of microscopic particles without open surgery.

The findings demonstrated substantial improvements in pain and physical functioning. Median pain scores decreased from 7 before treatment to 4 after six weeks and further declined to 3 at six months, remaining at that level after 12 months.

At the one-year follow-up, 80% of patients who completed pain assessments reported clinically meaningful improvement. Participants also experienced better mobility, daily functioning and quality of life.

All procedures were technically successful, with no moderate or severe adverse events reported. Mild, temporary complications occurred in 6.7% of procedures.

However, researchers cautioned that the study lacked a sham-treatment comparison group, meaning the improvements cannot be conclusively attributed to embolization.

REFERENCE: Radiological Society of North America. "New knee arthritis treatment delivers lasting pain relief without surgery." ScienceDaily.