Accelerating Global Interest in Genicular Artery Embolization: A Google Trends Analysis

Background/Objectives: Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is an emerging, minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic osteoarthritis. This study assesses global online search trends for GAE compared with traditional knee replacement using Google Trends data. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed global search trends for osteoarthritis treatments using the publicly accessible Google Trends platform. Monthly relative search volumes (RSV; scaled 0-100) for English-language queries were retrieved from January 2018 to December 2024. Three emerging minimally invasive terms ("genicular artery embolization", "knee embolization", "interventional radiology"), and three traditional surgical terms ("knee arthroplasty", "knee replacement", "total knee replacement") were included. Temporal trends were evaluated using linear and non-linear regression models, with model fit evaluated using coefficients of determination (R²), ANOVA, and accuracy measures. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: GAE-related terms demonstrated significant growth over time. "Genicular artery embolization" increased by 0.9% per month (R² = 0.795, p < 0.001), and "knee embolization" increased at 0.9% per month (R² = 0.627, p < 0.001) in a linear model. Traditional terms showed slower growth rates of 0.13-0.23% per month (R² = 0.159-0.271). Exponential and quadratic models confirmed these patterns. Mean RSV values over the study period were higher for traditional procedures (e.g., "total knee replacement": 83.13) than for GAE-related terms (e.g., "genicular artery embolization": 22.5). Conclusions: Global online interest in GAE-related terms is increasing at a substantially faster rate than interest in traditional knee replacement. Rapidly growing search interest highlights the need for accurate and accessible online patient education regarding emerging treatments.