Overview
- A prospective single‑center study published June 16, 2026 reported that genicular artery embolization (GAE) using rapidly resorbable gelatin‑based microspheres produced sustained pain and function gains through 12 months.
- The trial enrolled 194 patients who had failed at least three months of conservative therapy and performed 239 GAE procedures between July and November 2024, with all procedures technically successful.
- Median pain scores on a 0–10 scale fell from 7 at baseline to 4 at six weeks and to 3 at six and 12 months, and 80% of participants exceeded the minimum clinically important difference for pain at one year.
- Safety outcomes were favorable: no moderate or severe adverse events were reported and 6.7% of participants had only mild, self‑limited reactions.
- Authors and commentators say GAE could fill a treatment gap between injections and joint replacement by targeting periarticular hypervascularity, but they stress that randomized, multicenter and longer‑term studies are required before changing guidelines or broad clinical use.