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Genicular Artery Embolization Using Rapidly Resorbable Gelatin-based Microspheres for Osteoarthritis-related Knee
Florian Nima Fleckenstein1,2, Dina David1, Paolo Garducci3,4
1Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) using rapidly resorbable gelatin-based microspheres (RRGMs) offers a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritis knee pain. This minimally invasive therapy significantly reduces pain and improves function, demonstrating clinically meaningful outcomes for patients.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Pain Management
Background:
- Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is an emerging minimally invasive therapy for osteoarthritis (OA)-related knee pain.
- Traditional embolic agents have limitations, prompting the development of rapidly resorbable gelatin-based microspheres (RRGMs) for GAE.
- RRGMs present a promising alternative embolic agent for GAE procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of GAE using RRGMs.
- To assess the efficacy of RRGMs in patients with OA-related knee pain refractory to conservative treatments.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-center observational study of 194 participants undergoing GAE with RRGMs.
- Assessment of safety, numeric rating scale (NRS) pain scores, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at multiple follow-up intervals (6 weeks to 12 months).
- Clinical benefits evaluated using the minimum clinically important difference (MCID); statistical analysis using Friedman nonparametric repeated-measures test.
Main Results:
- All 239 GAE procedures using RRGMs were technically successful with a high follow-up rate (up to 79% at 12 months).
- Minor adverse events included transient skin discoloration (6.3%) and one superficial groin hematoma (0.4%), all resolving without sequelae; no moderate or severe adverse events were observed.
- Significant reduction in median NRS pain score from 7 at baseline to 3 at 12 months (P < .001); 55%-80% of participants achieved improvements exceeding MCID across all KOOS subscores at 12 months.
Conclusions:
- GAE using RRGMs is a safe procedure for managing OA-related knee pain.
- GAE with RRGMs demonstrates clinically meaningful improvements in pain and function for patients with knee OA.
- RRGMs represent a safe and effective embolic agent for GAE in knee osteoarthritis.
