Who Qualifies for GAE

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive alternative to knee replacement, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment for knee pain. It’s the perfect treatment for certain types of knee pain, however. To discover if the knee pain procedure will resolve your condition, call the knee pain doctors in Brooklyn or in the Bronx at the Astra Knee Pain Center. Dr. George Bolotin leads a team of pain experts, and they can determine the cause of your pain and whether GAE is right for you.

What Do Candidates for GAE Need?

Living with stubborn knee pain that doesn’t improve with conservative treatments is a valid reason to be among the candidates for GAE: genicular artery embolization. GAE is minimally invasive, low-risk and non-surgical. This procedure reduces inflammation in your knee joint, reducing or eliminating pain.

Unlike surgery, GAE has a short recovery time. It’s often recommended for those who’ve already tried rest, medications, steroid injections or physical therapy without lasting relief. Find a knee pain doctor in Brooklyn or the Bronx for a full medical evaluation to confirm if this treatment is right for you.

At the Astra Knee Pain Center, Dr. George Bolotin and his team use digital imaging to find the small, inflamed blood vessels in your knee. Then they embolize or block them to reduce your pain and improve your movement. This advanced treatment is an alternative to total knee replacement for those who qualify.

What Causes Knee Pain?

Your knee is composed of many parts, any of which can cause pain if damaged or diseased.

A respected knee pain specialist in Brooklyn and the Bronx, Dr. Bolotin combines advanced medical technology with a patient-first approach, using advanced diagnostic techniques to look for evidence of:

• Injury or overuse
• Aging-related tissue degeneration
• Inflammation or joint damage

Some injuries are bad enough to warrant surgery. Once you learn the advantages of GAE vs. knee replacement, though, you seek knee pain relief that doesn’t involve surgery. If you have knee pain, seek expert care from Dr. Bolotin, who offers state-of-the-art treatment, no matter what the cause of your pain.

What Knee Problems Do Candidates for GAE Have?

GAE works best for people with knee pain caused by chronic inflammation, often from arthritis or repeated stress.

At the Astra Knee Pain Center, knee pain doctors in Brooklyn and in the Bronx treat those who suffer from:

• Osteoarthritis in your knee. Age-related wear and tear causes knee swelling and stiffness.
• Post-traumatic knee arthritis. Your knee may develop degeneration following an injury, such as a fracture or ligament tear.
• Chronic inflammatory knee pain. When you have this non-autoimmune condition, you can expect ongoing swelling.
• Knee bursitis. When the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion your knee joint becomes inflamed, they cause pain.
• Chondromalacia patella. Softened cartilage under your kneecap causes pain when you move.
• A meniscus tear. This common injury damages the cartilage in your knee.
• Patellofemoral syndrome. Runner’s knee is a mechanical joint issue that can cause persistent discomfort.

Candidates for GAE include those who’ve tried other treatments without success and want to avoid the long recovery of knee replacement. If you’re experiencing instability or locking in your knee, visit a knee pain specialist in Brooklyn or the Bronx for an accurate diagnosis. After an exam, you may be an ideal candidate for GAE.

Who’s Not a Good Candidate for GAE?

Genicular artery embolization isn’t suitable for everyone in every situation. Sometimes, the procedure doesn’t have a high percentage of success with your diagnosis, and other times, it’s your medical history or overall health that prevents you from qualifying for the procedure.

You’re not a candidate for GAE if you have:

• Severebone-on-bone grinding that requires total knee replacement
• An active infection in your knee joint
• Poor circulation or advanced vascular disease
• Uncontrolled bleeding disorders
• Pregnancy or other high-risk medical conditions

In these cases, Dr. Bolotin may recommend alternative treatments. His goal is your safety and effective pain relief, which is why many candidates for GAE choose him. To see if you qualify for GAE, you must consult with a knee pain doctor in Brooklyn or in the Bronx at the Astra Knee Pain Center.

How Do I Know if I Qualify for GAE?

The only way to know for certain if you’re a candidate for GAE is to visit a knee pain specialist in Brooklyn or in the Bronx.

During your visit, your doctor:

• Reviews your medical history and current symptoms
• Examines the imaging results from x-rays or an MRI
• Determines the cause of your knee pain
• Discusses whether GAE can resolve your condition

Candidates for GAE are often avoiding total knee replacement. If you’re ready to see if you’re one of the many candidates for GAE who can benefit from this non-surgical procedure, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bolotin. Contact the Astra Knee Pain Center to take the first step toward lasting knee pain relief with an experienced team of knee pain specialists in Brooklyn and the Bronx.

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