New knee arthritis treatment delivers lasting pain relief without surgery

A promising new treatment for knee arthritis uses tiny, dissolvable particles to block abnormal blood vessels, easing inflammation and pain without joint replacement surgery. In a study of 194 patients, 80% experienced clinically meaningful pain relief lasting at least 12 months. A minimally invasive procedure that targets abnormal blood vessels in the knee could provide lasting relief for people struggling with osteoarthritis, offering a potential alternative to joint replacement surgery. In a study involving 194 patients, researchers found that a treatment using tiny particles that dissolve within hours was associated with substantial reductions in knee pain and improvements in mobility. The benefits persisted for at least 12 months, with 80% of patients assessed at the one-year follow-up reporting clinically meaningful pain relief.

The approach, known as genicular artery embolization, aims to interrupt the inflammation and abnormal blood vessel growth that contribute to chronic knee pain. Rather than replacing the damaged joint, doctors use a thin catheter to deliver microscopic particles directly into specific blood vessels. The findings, published in the journal Radiology, suggest that this technique could provide another option for patients who have exhausted conventional treatments but cannot or do not want to undergo knee replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis is the world's most common form of arthritis and a major cause of disability. According to the World Health Organization, knee