Long-term outcomes of genicular artery embolization for knee osteoarthritis: 12-month efficacy and secondary outcomes from a randomized sham-controlled clinical trial.

Study Summary

58 patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (KOA) who had an insufficient response to conservative treatment were randomized to receive genicular artery embolization (GAE) or a sham procedure. The primary outcome was knee pain at 12 months, measured using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) pain subscale. Secondary outcomes included synovitis assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), knee symptoms, physical function, pain severity, neuropathic pain, quality of life, and global perceived improvement. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months, while MRI assessments were performed at baseline, 1 month, and 4 months. Overall, the results revealed that both groups experienced sustained improvements in knee pain, with no significant between-group differences at any follow-up. Furthermore, GAE did not significantly improve synovitis or other clinical outcomes compared with sham treatment. These findings suggested that the observed pain relief was largely attributable to a sustained placebo effect rather than the embolization procedure itself.