Non-surgical knee treatment offers lasting pain relief for 80% of arthritis patients, study finds
A non-surgical knee osteoarthritis treatment uses dissolvable gelatin particles to block excess blood vessels, reducing inflammation without implants, researchers say.
TL;DR
- A non-surgical procedure, genicular artery embolization (GAE), offers lasting pain relief for knee osteoarthritis.
- The procedure temporarily blocks excess blood vessels around the knee using microscopic, dissolvable gelatin particles.
- In a study of 194 patients, 80% experienced significant knee pain reduction lasting at least one year.
- GAE aims to reduce inflammation and quiet pain-sensing nerves without surgery or permanent implants.
- No severe complications were reported, with only mild side effects like brief skin discoloration or bruising.
- Participants also reported improved daily mobility and a more than doubled quality-of-life score.
- Limitations include the lack of a control group and a one-year follow-up period, necessitating further research.