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Swelling
Stiffness after sleeping or sitting
Feeling of Warmth in Knee
Grating or Grading Feeling
Loss of Flexibility
Knee Pain when Moving
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms in your knee osteoarthritis, it's time to contact North Texas Vein & Vascular
In a week or two, you’re back to your life quickly and with less pain. Most patients experience immediate relief.
This short, outpatient procedure is done in-office allowing you to return home the same day.
With GAE, only a band aid is needed with almost no scarring. This also decreases recovery time.
Dr. Robert Handley, a top vascular physician in the DFW area, has been a practicing Interventional Radiologist for almost two decades and has a passion for providing minimally invasive treatments for common conditions that might otherwise require major surgery. He has been in the DFW area for more than 10 years and has been performing minimally invasive treatments for varicose veins, uterine fibroids, peripheral vascular disease, and other conditions, now including knee pain from osteoarthritis.
Am I a Good Candidate for Genicular Artery Embolization?
If you are experiencing knee pain due to osteoarthritis and you wish to avoid a knee replacement then you may be a great candidate for this procedure. Additionally, those who have already exhausted more conservative treatments like medication, knee injections, and physical therapy may find relief with genicular artery embolization.
Some patients who have persistent bleeding into the knee joint (hemarthrosis) following knee replacement may also be a candidate for GAE.
What is the Process of Genicular Artery Embolization Like?
GAE is an outpatient procedure that typically takes 1-2 hours. It is done in an Office Based Lab (OBL) which is part of the physicians office. Patients are given mild IV sedation to help them relax, but remain awake. A small catheter is inserted into the upper thigh after administering local anesthetic to the area. The catheter is then guided using real time X-ray to the small arteries that supply blood to the synovium of the knee joint. Small particles are then injected through the catheter into these vessels, shutting off the blood supply to the inflamed synovium. This reduces the inflammation, and thus reduces the knee pain associated with the inflamed synovium. After the procedure, patients are discharged from the office the same day. You should begin to see relief of knee pain in 1-2 weeks.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by the wearing down of the cartilage in the knee joint that protects the ends of the bones. When the cartilage wears down to the point where bones rub together, the tissues surrounding the joint space, called the synovium, can react and become inflamed. The synovium can then begin to grow abnormally and this is called hypertrophy. As the synovium begins to hypertrophy, there are additional pain fibers from the nerves included in this tissue. The synovium then gets caught between the bones as the joint moves and can cause significant knee pain. This knee pain can be extremely debilitating, limiting mobility, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks, and enjoy leisure activities. It can also limit your ability to exercise and thus have a negative impact on your overall health.
Wonderful staff. From the very first appointment, I have yet to come across an employee that was rude or seemed like they didn’t want to be there. Everyone is very attentive. Takes the time to answer all the questions I have. 10/10 always recommend NTV!
For a long time I was looking for a vein place and North Texas Vein and Vascular is the best everyone is very friendly 100% I recommend it 👍🏼
I had a vein ablation on two veins in my right leg. The procedure was about an hour long. I felt some pin pricking but no pain or burning. I want to thank Dr. Handley for his professionalism, being helpful and taking great care of me! I am still pain free as I recover at home. Thank you all!!
Dr. Handley, you and your staff are truly amazing!!! My life has been changed forever!!! Thank you!!!
