TKR Suggestions needed for “tight band” feeling

[Stiff knee NC]

@benne68: Sorry for the delay in response. Tks for checking in! Basically my OS (who did my revision, not initial TKR) said he really had nothing new to offer. I've had repeated tests to determine what is wrong: X-rays, bone scans, lab work, MRIs. NOTHING shows what's wrong and the "implant looks great." Arg.

He did ask that I see a colleague for another opinion. I said to the colleague, if we can't determine what is wrong and fix it, at least is there a way to block the pain.? He suggested a "geniculate (or genicular) artery embolization. Have you ever heard of it? is it typically effective? I had had a nerve block/ablation and it only helped for a few weeks. He said that this procedure is different and more long lasting.

Would appreciate ANY thoughts on this procedure...and, of course, any other suggestions you may have. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jockette]

I am pretty much in the same boat you are, with the difference of, no surgeon is willing to even order any further testing, since my standard X-ray looks so good. My knee is getting much worse, it’s making my balance way off and I did fall recently. It’s so frustrating and defeating that they won’t order any advanced testing. It’s been more than 9 years. I’m not a novice in recovery. I know when something is wrong, and I’ve known it for years.

 

[Layla]

Hello and Happy Monday,
I am sorry your OS has nothing new to offer and for all of the tests you've been through without any concrete evidence of what may be wrong.

As a start, here is an explanation of the procedure from the Cleveland Clinic - Below that is an article posted by benne68 that hopefully brings an understanding of the procedure.

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive treatment for osteoarthritis in your knee. It relieves pain and other arthritis symptoms without surgery.

Knee osteoarthritis causes painful inflammation inside your knee joint. It happens when your natural cartilage cushioning wears down, and bones in your knee rub together. This leads to inflammation, causing new arteries to grow inside the knee that shouldn’t. That uncontrolled growth causes pain. GAE reduces inflammation inside your knee by blocking off the new arteries. This will reduce pain.

Knowing what the words in GAE’s name mean can help you understand how it works:

• Genicular is a medical word that means something around your knees.
• An artery is a type of blood vessel. The genicular arteries are a group of vessels near your knees.
• Embolization is a treatment that stops blood flow to part of your body. You might have heard the word embolism to describe blood clots or blockages. They can be dangerous. Embolization is different. This is when a healthcare provider safely and intentionally stops blood flow in a vessel as a treatment.

Taking all the words together, GAE is a treatment where a healthcare provider will intentionally block the blood flow in abnormal arteries around your affected knee. The restricted blood flow reduces inflammation and relieves pain.

Your healthcare provider can tell you if GAE is a good option for you. It’s a relatively new treatment. So, it may not be available for everyone. But it can be an option to try before having surgery, like a knee replacement.

Click here -> GAE

 

[benne68]

I don't have personal experience with it. It's a relatively new procedure. In addition to what Layla shared above, I'd encourage you to read this article:

Thread 'New radiology procedure may offer relief from knee arthritis pain without surgery'

Aug 7, 2026

A new radiological treatment designed to block inflammation-driving blood vessels in the knee could become a new alternative for people seeking relief before considering knee replacement.

According to a study published in June 2026 issue of Radiology, is a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the procedure can provide pain relief and improve function for knee osteoarthritis patients, with benefits lasting at least a year.

Known as genicular artery embolization (GAE), the nonsurgical procedure targets abnormal blood vessels that develop around...

• benne68
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Knee Surgery Pre-Op Area

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[EalingGran]

painful inflammation inside your knee joint. It happens when your natural cartilage cushioning wears down, and bones in your knee rub together. This leads to inflammation, causing new arteries to grow inside the knee that shouldn’t. That uncontrolled growth causes pain. GAE reduces inflammation inside your knee by blocking off the new arteries. This will reduce pain

I can see this working in the situation described above. However I do wonder whether removing pain is a good idea if there is an underlying, unresolved issue such as maltracking?

 

[sistersinhim]

I do wonder whether removing pain is a good idea if there is an underlying, unresolved issue such as maltracking?

I agree. The cause of this pain needs to be found and removed, not just "putting a bandaid on it". Hiding the pain isn't removing the pain.

 

[Jockette]

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive treatment for osteoarthritis in your knee. It relieves pain and other arthritis symptoms without surgery.

Just my thoughts, but I think this procedure might be good for someone who has never had knee surgery, to help with arthritis pain, which is what it says it can do, but I’m not sure how good it might be for someone dealing with pain from complications after a joint replacement.

I can see this working in the situation described above. However I do wonder whether removing pain is a good idea if there is an underlying, unresolved issue such as maltracking?

If this would work on a long time post op issue, I do agree it might mask the problem, but when we’ve been in pain for so long without answers, if there even are any, some might be willing to try anything.

Personally I won’t try it for me. I’ve seen other members do the ablation on their knee without any measurable success, and this seems similar. And it’s a new treatment. Sometimes insurance doesn’t cover new treatments. I did a very expensive light treatment for my dry eye issues that was not covered by insurance. $1400 later, (4 sessions) out of pocket, and it did nothing for me.

 

[Layla]

Hi again,
There is not much on the forum via members experiencing this procedure, but instead only questioning it. Below is the post of a member who experienced GAE, but it's not a positive review. Click on it for the full response. Please do keep in contact if you decide to undergo this procedure since your experience / results may be useful to others wondering about GAE just as you are. Best Wishes!

O

Revision TKR Post in thread '3+ months LK Revision'

May 18, 2025

I had left knee revision surgery, June 2022 to replace 1st surgery, 2019, that was too loose! I have had pain in the revision knee since the surgery. the surgeon tells me that all of the parts are in the right place and stable. He has no answer for the pain. Every step that I take is painful, the pain has diminished the quality of my life and activities of daily living. I recently heard about GAE, Genicular Artery Embolization, from a Cardiologist.
Does anyone have information about this procedure. Appreciate any comments. Thank you!

I had this and it did absolutely...

• otto21

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@Stiff knee NC

 

[Stiff knee NC]

@Layla: Tks for this reference post. I need to make an appt w/the dr to discuss. I will post if I end up getting it done.

 

[Layla]

I wish you the best! We're here of you!
@Stiff knee NC