Preserving Joint Healthspan In Knee Osteoarthritis: A Geroscience-Guided Review Of Non-Surgical Therapies And Genicular Artery Embolization
Knee osteoarthritis, a common cause of pain and disability, is increasingly understood not just as wear and tear, but as a manifestation of the aging process within our joints. This perspective, known as geroscience, helps us look at treatments that can extend the “healthspan” of our knees, meaning how long they remain healthy and functional. Traditional approaches like weight loss, exercise, and education are still considered foundational, as they can reduce pain, improve function, and have positive effects on inflammation and metabolism throughout the body. While some medications and injections offer temporary symptom relief, newer regenerative therapies like platelet-rich plasma are still being studied for their long-term benefits. A promising, minimally invasive procedure called genicular artery embolization (GAE) is also gaining attention. This technique targets and blocks tiny, abnormal blood vessels that contribute to inflammation and pain in the knee. By reducing this inflammation, GAE aims to provide lasting pain relief and improve mobility, particularly for those with significant inflammation. However, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term impact on the underlying aging processes in the joint.
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