{"id":126043,"date":"2026-08-23T20:26:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T03:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/en\/vascular-services\/genicular-artery-embolization\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T07:03:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T14:03:14","slug":"genicular-artery-embolization","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/en\/knee-pain\/genicular-artery-embolization\/","title":{"rendered":"How GAE Works"},"content":{"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"MedicalProcedure\",\"name\":\"Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)\",\"alternateName\":\"GAE for knee osteoarthritis\",\"procedureType\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/NoninvasiveProcedure\",\"bodyLocation\":\"Knee\",\"howPerformed\":\"A thin catheter is guided through a tiny puncture to the genicular arteries around the knee under live imaging, and microscopic spheres are released to reduce the abnormal blood flow that feeds arthritis inflammation, preserving the natural joint.\",\"followup\":\"Outpatient, same-day discharge; most patients resume light activity within a day or two and notice pain easing over several weeks.\",\"provider\":{\"@type\":\"MedicalOrganization\",\"name\":\"Empire Vein & Vascular Specialists\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/empirevein.com\\\/\"}}<\/script>\n\n\n<section style=\"background:var(--gradient-hero);position:relative;overflow:hidden\">\n\t<div style=\"max-width:940px;margin:0 auto;padding:clamp(52px, 7vw, 96px) var(--gutter) clamp(48px, 6vw, 84px);text-align:center;position:relative;z-index:2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"ev-h1 ev-vh-title\">How genicular artery embolization (<span class=\"ev-gradient-text\">GAE<\/span>) works<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ev-lead\" style=\"margin:18px auto 0;max-width:640px\">GAE eases knee arthritis pain at its source. This minimally invasive, outpatient procedure calms the abnormal blood flow inflaming your joint. No surgery, no cutting, and your natural knee stays intact. Here&#039;s how it works.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"margin-top:clamp(34px, 4.5vw, 54px)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ev-vh-frame\" style=\"position:relative;border-radius:var(--radius-2xl);overflow:hidden;background:var(--ev-purple-900);box-shadow:var(--shadow-lg)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"ev-yt\" data-ev-island=\"yt\" data-ev-yt=\"jP5hCN-IcHc\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jP5hCN-IcHc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Play: Skip the scalpel: how GAE eases knee arthritis pain\" aria-labelledby=\"evvs-vh-play-jP5hCN-IcHc evvs-vh-cap-jP5hCN-IcHc\" style=\"position:relative;display:block;aspect-ratio:16\/9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ev-sr-only\" id=\"evvs-vh-play-jP5hCN-IcHc\">Play video<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img src=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/wp-content\/themes\/evvs2026\/assets\/img\/gae-video-poster.jpg\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;display:block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ev-yt-play\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg width=\"28\" height=\"28\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M8 5v14l11-7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ev-vh-caption\" style=\"margin:16px auto 0;max-width:680px;font-size:var(--text-base);line-height:1.45;color:var(--muted-foreground);text-wrap:balance\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"evvs-vh-cap-jP5hCN-IcHc\" style=\"font-weight:800;color:var(--text-heading)\">Skip the scalpel: how GAE eases knee arthritis pain<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"margin-top:46px;padding-top:40px;border-top:1px solid var(--border);max-width:880px;margin-inline:auto\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ev-herostats\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr));margin-top:clamp(28px, 3vw, 40px);border-top:1px solid var(--border)\"><div style=\"padding-top:clamp(18px, 2vw, 24px);padding-bottom:clamp(4px, 1vw, 10px);padding-left:0;padding-right:clamp(14px, 1.6vw, 24px);border-left:none;border-top:none\"><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-xs);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.1em;color:var(--ev-purple-600);margin:0 0 8px\">Procedure time<\/p><p style=\"font-size:clamp(1.3rem, 2vw, 1.7rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.03em;line-height:1.02;color:var(--text-heading);margin:0 0 6px\">~30 min<\/p><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-sm);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.4;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">Home the same day<\/p><\/div><div style=\"padding-top:clamp(18px, 2vw, 24px);padding-bottom:clamp(4px, 1vw, 10px);padding-left:clamp(18px, 2.2vw, 30px);padding-right:clamp(14px, 1.6vw, 24px);border-left:1px solid var(--border);border-top:none\"><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-xs);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.1em;color:var(--ev-purple-600);margin:0 0 8px\">Setting<\/p><p style=\"font-size:clamp(1.3rem, 2vw, 1.7rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.03em;line-height:1.02;color:var(--text-heading);margin:0 0 6px\">Outpatient<\/p><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-sm);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.4;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">No hospital. No general anesthesia.<\/p><\/div><div style=\"padding-top:clamp(18px, 2vw, 24px);padding-bottom:clamp(4px, 1vw, 10px);padding-left:clamp(18px, 2.2vw, 30px);padding-right:clamp(14px, 1.6vw, 24px);border-left:1px solid var(--border);border-top:none\"><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-xs);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.1em;color:var(--ev-purple-600);margin:0 0 8px\">Access<\/p><p style=\"font-size:clamp(1.3rem, 2vw, 1.7rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.03em;line-height:1.02;color:var(--text-heading);margin:0 0 6px\">No incision<\/p><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-sm);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.4;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">A tiny skin puncture<\/p><\/div><div style=\"padding-top:clamp(18px, 2vw, 24px);padding-bottom:clamp(4px, 1vw, 10px);padding-left:clamp(18px, 2.2vw, 30px);padding-right:clamp(14px, 1.6vw, 24px);border-left:1px solid var(--border);border-top:none\"><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-xs);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.1em;color:var(--ev-purple-600);margin:0 0 8px\">Your knee<\/p><p style=\"font-size:clamp(1.3rem, 2vw, 1.7rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.03em;line-height:1.02;color:var(--text-heading);margin:0 0 6px\">Preserved<\/p><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-sm);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.4;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">Nothing cut, removed, or replaced<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section style=\"background:var(--ev-purple-50)\">\n\t<div style=\"max-width:1180px;margin:0 auto;padding:clamp(60px, 8vw, 104px) var(--gutter)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gvk-steps-head ev-rv\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.1fr 1fr;gap:clamp(24px, 4vw, 64px);align-items:end;margin-bottom:clamp(30px, 4vw, 48px)\">\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"ev-h2\">The procedure, <span class=\"ev-gradient-text\">start to finish<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div style=\"padding-bottom:4px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ev-lead\" style=\"max-width:440px\">Three steps, one outpatient visit, about 30 minutes start to finish. Here&#039;s what happens on the day.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gvk-step-row ev-rv-group\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:clamp(72px, 8vw, 128px) minmax(0, 1.15fr) minmax(0, 1.25fr) minmax(0, 1.15fr);gap:clamp(18px, 3vw, 44px);align-items:center;padding:clamp(28px, 3.4vw, 46px) 0;border-top:1px solid rgba(91,33,182,0.14);border-bottom:none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gvk-step-num\" style=\"font-size:clamp(3rem, 5.5vw, 5rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.04em;line-height:0.9;color:var(--ev-purple-200)\">01<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"gvk-step-title\" style=\"font-size:clamp(1.4rem, 2.4vw, 1.9rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.025em;line-height:1.08;margin:0;color:var(--text-heading)\">A tiny puncture<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ev-body gvk-step-body\">Through a puncture about the size of a pinhole in the upper thigh, with no surgical incision and no stitches, your physician guides a thin, flexible catheter into the artery. The area is numbed first and you&#039;re lightly sedated, so you stay comfortable throughout.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/10;width:100%;border-radius:var(--radius-xl);background:linear-gradient(140deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 70%);border:1px solid var(--ev-purple-200);display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:10px;color:var(--ev-purple-400)\"><svg width=\"30\" height=\"30\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"m18 2 4 4\"\/><path d=\"m17 7 3-3\"\/><path d=\"M19 9 8.7 19.3c-1 1-2.5 1-3.4 0l-.6-.6c-1-1-1-2.5 0-3.4L15 5\"\/><path d=\"m9 11 4 4\"\/><path d=\"m5 19-3 3\"\/><path d=\"m14 4 6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gvk-step-row ev-rv-group\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:clamp(72px, 8vw, 128px) minmax(0, 1.15fr) minmax(0, 1.25fr) minmax(0, 1.15fr);gap:clamp(18px, 3vw, 44px);align-items:center;padding:clamp(28px, 3.4vw, 46px) 0;border-top:1px solid rgba(91,33,182,0.14);border-bottom:none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gvk-step-num\" style=\"font-size:clamp(3rem, 5.5vw, 5rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.04em;line-height:0.9;color:var(--ev-purple-200)\">02<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"gvk-step-title\" style=\"font-size:clamp(1.4rem, 2.4vw, 1.9rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.025em;line-height:1.08;margin:0;color:var(--text-heading)\">Find the source<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ev-body gvk-step-body\">Using live X-ray imaging, the catheter is steered to the small genicular arteries that have become overactive, the very vessels feeding the inflammation around your arthritic knee.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/10;width:100%;border-radius:var(--radius-xl);background:linear-gradient(140deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 70%);border:1px solid var(--ev-purple-200);display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:10px;color:var(--ev-purple-400)\"><svg width=\"30\" height=\"30\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"10\" r=\"3\"\/><path d=\"M12 2v3M12 18v4M2 12h3M19 12h3\"\/><path d=\"M5.5 5.5l1.5 1.5M17 17l1.5 1.5M18.5 5.5L17 7M7 17l-1.5 1.5\" opacity=\"0\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gvk-step-row ev-rv-group\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:clamp(72px, 8vw, 128px) minmax(0, 1.15fr) minmax(0, 1.25fr) minmax(0, 1.15fr);gap:clamp(18px, 3vw, 44px);align-items:center;padding:clamp(28px, 3.4vw, 46px) 0;border-top:1px solid rgba(91,33,182,0.14);border-bottom:1px solid rgba(91,33,182,0.14)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"gvk-step-num\" style=\"font-size:clamp(3rem, 5.5vw, 5rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.04em;line-height:0.9;color:var(--ev-purple-200)\">03<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"gvk-step-title\" style=\"font-size:clamp(1.4rem, 2.4vw, 1.9rem);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.025em;line-height:1.08;margin:0;color:var(--text-heading)\">Calm the inflammation<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"ev-body gvk-step-body\">Through the catheter, your physician releases microscopic spheres that gently ease the excess blood flow driving that inflammation. The aim is to quiet only those overactive vessels while sparing your knee&#039;s normal circulation. Most people feel pain easing over the following few weeks.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"aspect-ratio:16\/10;width:100%;border-radius:var(--radius-xl);background:linear-gradient(140deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 70%);border:1px solid var(--ev-purple-200);display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:10px;color:var(--ev-purple-400)\"><svg width=\"30\" height=\"30\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12 2.69l5.66 5.66a8 8 0 1 1-11.31 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"ev-section\">\n\t<div class=\"vv-info-grid\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(300px, 0.92fr);gap:clamp(32px, 5vw, 72px);align-items:center\">\n\t\t<div class=\"ev-rv\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ev-rv\" style=\"max-width:760px;margin:0;text-align:left;margin-bottom:clamp(36px, 4vw, 52px)\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"ev-h2\">Why calming blood flow <span class=\"ev-gradient-text\">relieves the pain<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.75;margin:0 0 18px;text-wrap:pretty\">In an arthritic knee, the tiny arteries around the joint, called the <strong style=\"color:var(--text-heading)\">genicular arteries<\/strong>, can become overactive. They grow extra small vessels and send too much blood to the joint lining, which feeds ongoing inflammation and pain.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.75;margin:0 0 18px;text-wrap:pretty\">GAE gently reduces that excess blood flow. Your physician places <strong style=\"color:var(--text-heading)\">microscopic spheres<\/strong> in just those overactive vessels, calming the inflammation at its source while your knee&#039;s normal circulation is preserved.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);color:var(--text-heading);line-height:1.55;text-wrap:pretty;margin:8px 0 0;padding-left:20px;border-left:3px solid var(--ev-purple-600);font-weight:600\">Because nothing is cut or removed, your <span class=\"ev-gradient-text\" style=\"font-weight:800\">natural cartilage stays intact<\/span>, GAE can be repeated if pain returns, and it never takes knee replacement off the table.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<figure class=\"ev-rv-greet\" style=\"margin:0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"display:flex;gap:2px;background:var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius-xl);overflow:hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"position:relative;flex:1;aspect-ratio:1 \/ 1;background:var(--surface-photo);overflow:hidden\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/wp-content\/themes\/evvs2026\/assets\/img\/gae-before.jpg\" alt=\"Angiogram before GAE: overactive genicular arteries around the knee\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;display:block\"><span style=\"position:absolute;top:12px;left:12px;font-family:var(--font-mono);font-size:var(--text-xs);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--ev-white);background:rgba(20, 8, 30, 0.72);border-radius:var(--radius-full);padding:4px 10px\">Before<\/span><\/div><div style=\"position:relative;flex:1;aspect-ratio:1 \/ 1;background:var(--surface-photo);overflow:hidden\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/wp-content\/themes\/evvs2026\/assets\/img\/gae-after.jpg\" alt=\"Angiogram after GAE: abnormal blood flow calmed\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;display:block\"><span style=\"position:absolute;top:12px;left:12px;font-family:var(--font-mono);font-size:var(--text-xs);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--ev-white);background:var(--ev-success);border-radius:var(--radius-full);padding:4px 10px\">After<\/span><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"padding-top:12px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-xs);font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.1em;color:var(--ev-purple-600);margin:0\">GAE<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption style=\"font-size:var(--text-xs);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.5;margin:10px 2px 0\">Angiograms of an actual Empire Vein &amp; Vascular patient, before and after GAE.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section style=\"background:var(--background)\">\n\t<div class=\"ev-section\" style=\"max-width:1140px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"vv-info-grid\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 0.9fr);gap:clamp(28px, 4vw, 56px);align-items:center;margin:0 0 clamp(36px, 4.5vw, 56px)\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ev-rv\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"ev-h2\">Why choose Empire Vein for <span class=\"ev-gradient-text\">GAE?<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.6;margin:16px 0 0;max-width:560px;text-wrap:pretty\">Six reasons knee-pain patients across Southern California put their care in our hands.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ev-rv-greet\" src=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/wp-content\/themes\/evvs2026\/assets\/img\/why-knee2.png\" width=\"1000\" height=\"705\" alt=\"A man kneeling and holding his knee during a workout\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;display:block\">\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ev-divider-grid ev-rv-group\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));row-gap:clamp(28px, 3.5vw, 44px)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-left:none;padding-left:0;padding-right:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:var(--radius-lg);background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 80%);color:var(--ev-purple-700);margin-bottom:18px\"><svg width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M4.8 2.3A.3.3 0 1 0 5 2H4a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v5a6 6 0 0 0 6 6 6 6 0 0 0 6-6V4a2 2 0 0 0-2-2h-1a.2.2 0 1 0 .2.3\"\/><path d=\"M8 15v1a6 6 0 0 0 6 6 6 6 0 0 0 6-6v-4\"\/><circle cx=\"20\" cy=\"10\" r=\"2\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.015em;margin:0 0 10px;color:var(--text-heading)\">Led by a board-certified surgeon<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.6;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">Dr. Pushpinder Sivia, a board-certified vascular surgeon with 15 years of experience, has performed more than 800 GAE procedures.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-left:1px solid var(--border);padding-left:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px);padding-right:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:var(--radius-lg);background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 80%);color:var(--ev-purple-700);margin-bottom:18px\"><svg width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12 22s8-4 8-10V5l-8-3-8 3v7c0 6 8 10 8 10z\"\/><path d=\"M9 12l2 2 4-4\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.015em;margin:0 0 10px;color:var(--text-heading)\">Many plans cover GAE<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.6;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">We accept Medicare, IEHP, most PPOs, and many more, and we verify your exact coverage before anything is scheduled.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-left:1px solid var(--border);padding-left:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px);padding-right:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:var(--radius-lg);background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 80%);color:var(--ev-purple-700);margin-bottom:18px\"><svg width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><circle cx=\"12\" cy=\"8\" r=\"6\"\/><path d=\"M15.477 12.89 17 22l-5-3-5 3 1.523-9.11\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.015em;margin:0 0 10px;color:var(--text-heading)\">An accredited surgery center<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.6;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">Your procedure happens in our state-of-the-art outpatient center, accredited by The Joint Commission (JCAHO) and certified by Medicare.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-left:none;padding-left:0;padding-right:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px);border-top:1px solid var(--border);padding-top:clamp(28px, 3.5vw, 44px)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:var(--radius-lg);background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 80%);color:var(--ev-purple-700);margin-bottom:18px\"><svg width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 12h-4l-3 9L9 3l-3 9H2\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.015em;margin:0 0 10px;color:var(--text-heading)\">Same-day, outpatient care<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.6;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">About 30 minutes in our own center, no hospital stay, and you&#039;re home the same day.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-left:1px solid var(--border);padding-left:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px);padding-right:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px);border-top:1px solid var(--border);padding-top:clamp(28px, 3.5vw, 44px)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:var(--radius-lg);background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 80%);color:var(--ev-purple-700);margin-bottom:18px\"><svg width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M20.84 4.61a5.5 5.5 0 0 0-7.78 0L12 5.67l-1.06-1.06a5.5 5.5 0 0 0-7.78 7.78l1.06 1.06L12 21.23l7.78-7.78 1.06-1.06a5.5 5.5 0 0 0 0-7.78z\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.015em;margin:0 0 10px;color:var(--text-heading)\">An honest candidacy review<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.6;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">GAE isn&#039;t for everyone. We review your imaging and history first, and tell you plainly if another option would serve you better.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-left:1px solid var(--border);padding-left:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px);padding-right:clamp(20px, 2.4vw, 40px);border-top:1px solid var(--border);padding-top:clamp(28px, 3.5vw, 44px)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;width:52px;height:52px;border-radius:var(--radius-lg);background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 80%);color:var(--ev-purple-700);margin-bottom:18px\"><svg width=\"26\" height=\"26\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.6\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><polygon points=\"12 2 15.09 8.26 22 9.27 17 14.14 18.18 21.02 12 17.77 5.82 21.02 7 14.14 2 9.27 8.91 8.26 12 2\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"none\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.015em;margin:0 0 10px;color:var(--text-heading)\">Care patients rate 5 stars<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.6;margin:0;text-wrap:pretty\">4.8 from more than 2,000 verified patient reviews across Southern California.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How long does the GAE procedure take?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes. You'll be with us a little longer for check-in and a short monitored recovery, then you go home the same day. There's no hospital stay.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Will I be awake during GAE?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"You'll be relaxed and comfortable. Patients receive light sedation along with local numbing at the access site, so you won't feel the catheter and won't need general anesthesia.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does GAE hurt?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"The access site is numbed first, so the procedure itself is generally painless. Afterward, some people notice mild soreness or bruising for a few days, which is usually managed with over-the-counter medication.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is GAE surgery?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"No. GAE is minimally invasive and image-guided. There's no incision and no stitches, and nothing inside your knee is cut or removed, so there's no joint replacement and no long recovery.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Where is GAE performed?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"In our state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, accredited by The Joint Commission (JCAHO) and certified by Medicare, two of the most rigorous standards in outpatient care. You're in and out the same day, with no hospital visit.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is recovery like?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Patients go home the same day and can resume day-to-day activities the next day. Pain typically eases gradually over the following few weeks as the inflammation settles.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Who performs GAE at Empire Vein & Vascular?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"GAE is performed by a fellowship-trained interventional specialist. Dr. Sivia leads our GAE program and personally reviews whether the procedure is a good fit for you.\"}}]}<\/script>\n<section style=\"background:transparent\">\n\t<div class=\"ev-section\" style=\"max-width:900px\">\n\t\t<div class=\"ev-rv\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"ev-h2\" style=\"margin:0 0 10px;text-align:center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCommon questions about the procedure\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.6;margin:0 auto 36px;text-align:center;max-width:560px\">The things patients ask us most about how GAE is done.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"ev-faq-list\" data-ev-accordion-group>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" data-ev-island=\"accordion\" aria-expanded=\"true\" style=\"width:100%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:22px 0;background:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;text-align:left;font-family:var(--font-sans)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);font-weight:700;color:var(--text-heading);letter-spacing:-0.01em\">How long does the GAE procedure take?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span data-ev-accordion-chevron style=\"flex-shrink:0;color:var(--primary);transform:rotate(180deg);transition:transform var(--duration)\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.7;padding:0 0 24px;margin:0;max-width:760px;text-wrap:pretty\">The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes. You&#039;ll be with us a little longer for check-in and a short monitored recovery, then you go home the same day. There&#039;s no hospital stay.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" data-ev-island=\"accordion\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"width:100%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:22px 0;background:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;text-align:left;font-family:var(--font-sans)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);font-weight:700;color:var(--text-heading);letter-spacing:-0.01em\">Will I be awake during GAE?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span data-ev-accordion-chevron style=\"flex-shrink:0;color:var(--primary);transform:none;transition:transform var(--duration)\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<p hidden style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.7;padding:0 0 24px;margin:0;max-width:760px;text-wrap:pretty\">You&#039;ll be relaxed and comfortable. Patients receive light sedation along with local numbing at the access site, so you won&#039;t feel the catheter and won&#039;t need general anesthesia.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" data-ev-island=\"accordion\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"width:100%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:22px 0;background:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;text-align:left;font-family:var(--font-sans)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);font-weight:700;color:var(--text-heading);letter-spacing:-0.01em\">Does GAE hurt?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span data-ev-accordion-chevron style=\"flex-shrink:0;color:var(--primary);transform:none;transition:transform var(--duration)\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<p hidden style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.7;padding:0 0 24px;margin:0;max-width:760px;text-wrap:pretty\">The access site is numbed first, so the procedure itself is generally painless. Afterward, some people notice mild soreness or bruising for a few days, which is usually managed with over-the-counter medication.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" data-ev-island=\"accordion\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"width:100%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:22px 0;background:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;text-align:left;font-family:var(--font-sans)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);font-weight:700;color:var(--text-heading);letter-spacing:-0.01em\">Is GAE surgery?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span data-ev-accordion-chevron style=\"flex-shrink:0;color:var(--primary);transform:none;transition:transform var(--duration)\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<p hidden style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.7;padding:0 0 24px;margin:0;max-width:760px;text-wrap:pretty\">No. GAE is minimally invasive and image-guided. There&#039;s no incision and no stitches, and nothing inside your knee is cut or removed, so there&#039;s no joint replacement and no long recovery.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" data-ev-island=\"accordion\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"width:100%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:22px 0;background:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;text-align:left;font-family:var(--font-sans)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);font-weight:700;color:var(--text-heading);letter-spacing:-0.01em\">Where is GAE performed?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span data-ev-accordion-chevron style=\"flex-shrink:0;color:var(--primary);transform:none;transition:transform var(--duration)\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<p hidden style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.7;padding:0 0 24px;margin:0;max-width:760px;text-wrap:pretty\">In our state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center, accredited by The Joint Commission (JCAHO) and certified by Medicare, two of the most rigorous standards in outpatient care. You&#039;re in and out the same day, with no hospital visit.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" data-ev-island=\"accordion\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"width:100%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:22px 0;background:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;text-align:left;font-family:var(--font-sans)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);font-weight:700;color:var(--text-heading);letter-spacing:-0.01em\">What is recovery like?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span data-ev-accordion-chevron style=\"flex-shrink:0;color:var(--primary);transform:none;transition:transform var(--duration)\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<p hidden style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.7;padding:0 0 24px;margin:0;max-width:760px;text-wrap:pretty\">Patients go home the same day and can resume day-to-day activities the next day. Pain typically eases gradually over the following few weeks as the inflammation settles.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"border-bottom:1px solid var(--border)\">\n\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" data-ev-island=\"accordion\" aria-expanded=\"false\" style=\"width:100%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;gap:16px;padding:22px 0;background:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;text-align:left;font-family:var(--font-sans)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:clamp(16px, 1.6vw, 18px);font-weight:700;color:var(--text-heading);letter-spacing:-0.01em\">Who performs GAE at Empire Vein &amp; Vascular?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span data-ev-accordion-chevron style=\"flex-shrink:0;color:var(--primary);transform:none;transition:transform var(--duration)\"><svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<p hidden style=\"font-size:var(--text-base);color:var(--text-body);line-height:1.7;padding:0 0 24px;margin:0;max-width:760px;text-wrap:pretty\">GAE is performed by a fellowship-trained interventional specialist. Dr. Sivia leads our GAE program and personally reviews whether the procedure is a good fit for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\t<section style=\"max-width:var(--container-max);margin:0 auto;padding:clamp(60px, 7vw, 96px) var(--gutter)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"ev-h3 ev-rv\" style=\"margin:0 0 30px;text-align:center\">Keep exploring GAE<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ev-rv-group ev-swipe-row ev-rail--photo-link-cards\" role=\"group\" aria-label=\"Keep exploring\" tabindex=\"0\" style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit, minmax(280px, 1fr));gap:22px;max-width:1080px;margin-inline:auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/en\/gae-quiz\/\" class=\"ev-hov-lift\" style=\"cursor:pointer;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background:var(--card);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius-xl);overflow:hidden;box-shadow:var(--shadow-sm);transition:box-shadow var(--duration), transform var(--duration);color:inherit;text-decoration:none\"><div style=\"position:relative;aspect-ratio:16\/11;background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 75%);display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;overflow:hidden\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/wp-content\/themes\/evvs2026\/assets\/img\/knee-symptoms.jpg\" alt=\"A man holding his aching knee\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:center;display:block\"><\/div><div style=\"padding:24px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex:1\"><h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-xl);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.02em;margin:0 0 8px\">Am I a candidate?<\/h3><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-sm);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.58;margin:0 0 16px;text-wrap:pretty;flex:1 1 auto\">Answer five quick questions about your knee. Under two minutes, no sign-ups.<\/p><span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;font-size:var(--text-sm);font-weight:700;color:var(--primary)\">Take the quiz<svg width=\"15\" height=\"15\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M5 12h14\"\/><path d=\"M12 5l7 7-7 7\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/en\/knee-pain\/gae-vs-knee-replacement\/\" class=\"ev-hov-lift\" style=\"cursor:pointer;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background:var(--card);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius-xl);overflow:hidden;box-shadow:var(--shadow-sm);transition:box-shadow var(--duration), transform var(--duration);color:inherit;text-decoration:none\"><div style=\"position:relative;aspect-ratio:16\/11;background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 75%);display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;overflow:hidden\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/wp-content\/themes\/evvs2026\/assets\/img\/compare-knee-replacement.jpg\" alt=\"A surgical knee replacement in progress\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:center;display:block\"><\/div><div style=\"padding:24px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex:1\"><h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-xl);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.02em;margin:0 0 8px\">GAE vs. knee replacement<\/h3><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-sm);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.58;margin:0 0 16px;text-wrap:pretty;flex:1 1 auto\">See how a no-incision option compares with surgery on recovery, risk, and results.<\/p><span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;font-size:var(--text-sm);font-weight:700;color:var(--primary)\">Compare options<svg width=\"15\" height=\"15\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M5 12h14\"\/><path d=\"M12 5l7 7-7 7\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/en\/knee-pain\/\" class=\"ev-hov-lift\" style=\"cursor:pointer;display:flex;flex-direction:column;background:var(--card);border:1px solid var(--border);border-radius:var(--radius-xl);overflow:hidden;box-shadow:var(--shadow-sm);transition:box-shadow var(--duration), transform var(--duration);color:inherit;text-decoration:none\"><div style=\"position:relative;aspect-ratio:16\/11;background:linear-gradient(150deg, var(--ev-purple-100), var(--ev-white) 75%);display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;overflow:hidden\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/wp-content\/themes\/evvs2026\/assets\/img\/knee-hero-family.jpg\" alt=\"A grandmother hugging her grandchild in the backyard\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute;inset:0;width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:center;display:block\"><\/div><div style=\"padding:24px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex:1\"><h3 style=\"font-size:var(--text-xl);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-0.02em;margin:0 0 8px\">Knee pain relief<\/h3><p style=\"font-size:var(--text-sm);color:var(--muted-foreground);line-height:1.58;margin:0 0 16px;text-wrap:pretty;flex:1 1 auto\">Explore GAE and how we treat knee osteoarthritis without surgery.<\/p><span style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:6px;font-size:var(--text-sm);font-weight:700;color:var(--primary)\">Explore knee pain<svg width=\"15\" height=\"15\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M5 12h14\"\/><path d=\"M12 5l7 7-7 7\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/div><\/a><\/div>\t<\/section>\n\n\n\t<section style=\"background:#311e50;background-image:url('https:\/\/empirevein.com\/wp-content\/themes\/evvs2026\/assets\/img\/closingcta-bg.jpg');background-size:100% auto;background-position:bottom center;background-repeat:no-repeat;position:relative\">\n\t\t<div class=\"ev-rv\" style=\"max-width:820px;margin:0 auto;padding:clamp(80px, 10vw, 148px) var(--gutter) clamp(140px, 20vw, 300px);text-align:center;position:relative;z-index:1\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"ev-h1-sm\" style=\"line-height:1.03;margin-bottom:18px;max-width:720px;margin-inline:auto;color:var(--ev-white);text-shadow:0 2px 20px rgba(31,16,55,0.35)\">Ready to see if GAE is right for you?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-size:var(--text-lg);color:rgba(255,255,255,0.88);max-width:560px;margin:0 auto 36px;line-height:1.5;text-wrap:pretty;text-shadow:0 1px 14px rgba(31,16,55,0.3)\">Talk with our knee-pain experts at select Southern California offices.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;gap:22px\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/empirevein.com\/en\/book-online\/\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;height:48px;padding:0 30px;border-radius:var(--radius-full);border:1px solid transparent;background:var(--accent);color:var(--accent-foreground);font-family:var(--font-sans);font-size:15px;font-weight:600;line-height:1;white-space:nowrap;text-decoration:none;box-shadow:var(--shadow-sm)\">Book a Knee Pain Consultation<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;gap:5px\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:var(--text-xs);font-weight:600;letter-spacing:0.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.72)\">or call us directly<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"ev-h3\" href=\"tel:+18005633227\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;letter-spacing:-0.02em;color:var(--ev-white);text-decoration:none;text-shadow:0 1px 14px rgba(31,16,55,0.4)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 16.92v3a2 2 0 0 1-2.18 2 19.79 19.79 0 0 1-8.63-3.07 19.5 19.5 0 0 1-6-6 19.79 19.79 0 0 1-3.07-8.67A2 2 0 0 1 4.11 2h3a2 2 0 0 1 2 1.72 12.84 12.84 0 0 0 .7 2.81 2 2 0 0 1-.45 2.11L8.09 9.91a16 16 0 0 0 6 6l1.27-1.27a2 2 0 0 1 2.11-.45 12.84 12.84 0 0 0 2.81.7A2 2 0 0 1 22 16.92z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t1-800-KNEECARE\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span style=\"font-size:var(--text-sm);font-weight:600;color:rgba(255,255,255,0.72)\">(1-800-563-3227)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"parent":126008,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-126043","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) for Knee Pain | Empire Vein &amp; Vascular Specialists<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"GAE calms the inflamed arteries that drive knee arthritis pain. 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