Outcomes after Genicular Artery Embolization Vary According to the Radiographic Severity of Osteoarthritis: Results from a Prospective Single-Center Study

Abstract

This prospective single-center study compared outcomes after genicular artery embolization (GAE) in people with mild radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) (n = 11) versus moderate to severe radiographic knee OA (n = 22). The mild OA group was older and had experienced symptoms for less time (P < .05). All participants underwent complete embolization of neovessels from genicular arteries. The primary outcome was the proportion of responders at 6 months according to predetermined improvements in pain, function, and/or global change. Results indicated that a higher proportion of participants (n = 9, 81.8%) with mild OA fulfilled responder criteria after treatment compared with people with moderate to severe OA (n = 8, 36.4%) (P = .014). Secondary outcomes for pain, quality of life, and global change were also better in the mild OA group (P < .05). No serious adverse events occurred, including the absence of osteonecrosis on magnetic resonance imaging. The study demonstrated that outcomes after GAE varied according to the severity of baseline radiographic OA.