Map the painful area
The specialist compares your pain pattern and imaging, then uses live X-ray guidance to identify relevant arterial branches.
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) · Los Angeles
Persistent knee pain? We can help.
A minimally invasive approach for selected patients with osteoarthritis.
EVSLA reviews your symptoms, imaging, prior care, and goals to determine whether GAE may belong in your knee pain plan.
GAE is for selected patients. It does not rebuild cartilage, treat every cause of knee pain, or guarantee pain relief.
- Small catheter
- No joint implant
- Image guided
Start with the pain sourceIs osteoarthritis driving your knee pain?Symptoms, examination, imaging, and prior care should point in the same direction.
Evaluation before treatmentYour specialist reviews the whole knee-care plan before recommending GAE.
No open knee surgery
A small arterial access point is used.
No joint implant
The knee is not opened or replaced.
Specialist-led evaluation
Treatment is recommended only when appropriate.
Could GAE fit your knee pain?
A good evaluation starts with the pain source—not the procedure. GAE may be worth discussing when these pieces line up.
Knee osteoarthritis is confirmed
Your symptoms, examination, and current imaging support osteoarthritis as an important pain source.
Pain continues after appropriate nonsurgical care
Physical therapy, medication, weight management, bracing, or injections have not provided enough relief—or were not appropriate.
You want to assess a joint-preserving option
You are not ready for knee replacement, wish to delay it, or have been told surgery is not a good fit.
Your health and circulation support treatment
Medical history, medications, kidney function, contrast history, and vascular anatomy all matter.
How GAE may help an arthritic knee
GAE targets selected abnormal blood flow associated with inflamed tissue around the knee. The joint is not opened or replaced.
Guide a microcatheter
A very small catheter travels from an arterial access point to selected vessels around the knee.
Reduce selected blood flow
Small particles are delivered carefully to reduce abnormal flow associated with inflammation while protecting normal tissue.
GAE treats an inflammation-related pathway—not the cartilage itself. It does not correct severe deformity or instability, and it is different from a genicular nerve block or nerve ablation.
A small catheter. A focused care plan.
The exact access site, sedation, embolic material, procedure time, and recovery instructions are personalized.
01
Consultation and imaging review
Your specialist confirms the likely pain source, reviews prior care, and determines whether more evaluation is needed.
02
Image-guided treatment
If appropriate, the physician maps the vessels, treats selected branches, and monitors the access site and circulation.
03
Recovery and follow-up
Instructions cover activity, access-site care, warning signs, and follow-up of pain and function.
Image-guided knee care, led by specialists
Your physician reviews the knee, vascular anatomy, prior care, and treatment goals before recommending GAE or another next step.
Board-certified specialists
Imaging-led decisions
Care coordinated with your knee team
Three Los Angeles-area clinics
Harout Dermendjian, MD
Endovascular SpecialistClear evaluation, image-guided treatment planning, and follow-up in one connected care path.
Meet Dr. Dermendjian →
Kartik Kansagra, MD
Endovascular SpecialistA collaborative approach that connects imaging findings with what matters most to the patient.
Meet Dr. Kansagra →
Sipan Mathevosian, MD
Endovascular SpecialistVascular and interventional radiology experience across embolization and complex image-guided care.
Meet Dr. Mathevosian →You do not need to choose a physician before requesting care. EVSLA will route the case based on the clinical question, records, and availability.
Start your evaluation close to home
Choose the clinic most convenient for your evaluation. The scheduling team will confirm the appropriate site for any procedure.
Glendale
445 W Broadway
Glendale, CA 91204
Simi Valley
2750 Sycamore Drive, Suite 200
Simi Valley, CA 93065
La Cañada Flintridge
1407 Foothill Boulevard
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Your GAE questions, answered.
The essentials about treatment, candidacy, recovery, and coverage.
What is genicular artery embolization?
GAE is an image-guided procedure in which an interventional radiologist advances a thin catheter to selected arteries around the knee and delivers small embolic particles to reduce abnormal blood flow associated with inflammation. The knee joint is not surgically opened or replaced.
Who may be considered for GAE?
GAE may be discussed for selected adults with confirmed knee osteoarthritis, persistent pain that affects daily life, and symptoms that have not improved enough with appropriate nonsurgical care. Candidacy also depends on examination, imaging, circulation, medical history, anatomy, and the broader orthopedic plan.
Is GAE the same as genicular nerve ablation?
No. GAE treats selected blood vessels associated with inflamed tissue. Genicular nerve blocks and nerve ablation act on pain-signal pathways. The treatments have different targets and candidacy requirements.
Does GAE replace knee replacement?
No. GAE does not rebuild cartilage or correct severe deformity or instability. It may be considered for a selected patient who wants to delay surgery or is not a surgical candidate, but orthopedic options should remain part of the discussion.
What are the risks and recovery after GAE?
Many patients leave after observation, but discharge timing and activity restrictions vary. Potential risks include bruising or bleeding, vessel injury, infection, contrast or medication reaction, kidney stress from contrast, skin color changes or pain, and unintended embolization affecting nearby tissue. Your physician will review risks and recovery instructions for your case.
Does insurance cover GAE?
Coverage varies by health plan and clinical circumstances, and some plans may consider GAE investigational. EVSLA can help review known benefits and authorization requirements, but verification does not guarantee coverage or payment.
Find out whether GAE belongs in your knee pain plan
Share your symptoms, current knee imaging, and treatments you have already tried. EVSLA can review the full picture and explain whether GAE—or another next step—makes sense to discuss.
Request a GAE EvaluationCall (818) 626–3710A request does not confirm candidacy or insurance coverage.