Compare · Knee
GAE vs. cortisone injections
If your shots are working less and less, here's why — and how embolization takes a different approach.
| Cortisone injection | Genicular Artery Embolization | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Floods the joint with anti-inflammatory steroid | Reduces the abnormal blood flow feeding inflammation |
| Typical relief | Weeks to a few months | Often more durable; no implant |
| With repetition | Tends to help less each time | A single treatment; can be repeated if needed |
| Downside | Repeated steroids may affect nearby tissue over time | Minor, usually temporary side effects |
| Invasiveness | Very low | Minimally invasive |
Why shots fade
Cortisone calms inflammation, but it doesn't change what's causing it — the abnormal blood vessels feeding the inflamed joint lining are still there. That's why the benefit often shrinks with each injection. Embolization targets that underlying source instead of repeatedly quieting the symptom. Injections still have a real role — they're simple, quick, and help many people — but when they stop lasting, it's a signal to look deeper.
General education, not medical advice. Talk with your physician about which approach is right for your knee.