Health Answers: This Could Be a Great Alternative to Knee or Shoulder Surgery

Osteoarthritis and frozen shoulder are two conditions we often associate with getting older, and frontline treatments like pain medication and physical therapy might provide relief — initially.

But when the pain and discomfort are strong enough to interfere with daily life, some patients hesitate to take the next step because they worry about invasive surgery and long recoveries.

The team at Advanced Radiology Solutions understands these concerns and has some non-invasive options to explore for both knee and shoulder issues. Let's break it down:

Q: How does genicular artery embolization (GAE) address chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis? Is it similar to shoulder artery embolization (SAE), which treats the symptoms of Frozen Shoulder?

A. These are all outpatient procedures that reduce blood flow to inflamed areas, reducing inflammation and pain while increasing joint mobility. They are performed in an interventional radiology suite with local anesthesia and typically take an hour or two.

Q: What benefits do patients often see after these procedures?

A: Many patients see gradual but significant pain reduction within days or weeks, which means they are taking fewer opioids or other pain medication. They see better joint function and mobility, and a lower risk of infection due to less inflammation and fluid retention. Of course, these improvements can affect many areas of their lives, from performing daily tasks to socializing and maintaining an active lifestyle.

Q: Who is a good candidate?

A: Good candidates might be patients who are experiencing:

• Other underlying conditions are progressing due to pain and stiffness.
• Trouble getting quality sleep.
• Heightened risk of injury.
• Reduced mobility or quality of life.
• Persistent pain despite conservative treatments, such as pain medication, physical therapy, or corticosteroid injections.

They might also be people who are trying to delay surgery, who need minimal downtime, or who aren't good candidates for surgery, possibly because of age, other conditions, or those taking blood thinners.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, visit advancedradiologysolutions.com or call 732-608-2644.