Using a new procedure to reduce knee pain from osteoarthritis
Official title: Genicular Artery Embolization for Reducing Pain in Medically Refractory Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Sham-Controlled Pilot Study
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-10801549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new, less invasive treatment called genicular artery embolization (GAE) to help people with knee osteoarthritis find relief from pain and improve their knee function, and it will compare the results to a placebo to see how well it really works.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $602,761 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR082123-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10801549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis who have not found relief from standard medical treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe knee osteoarthritis requiring surgical intervention or those who have contraindications for embolization procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a minimally invasive treatment called genicular artery embolization (GAE) for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The procedure involves using imaging techniques to target and block specific arteries in the knee that contribute to inflammation and pain. By conducting a pilot study with a sham control, the researchers aim to assess the effectiveness of GAE compared to a placebo, ensuring that any observed benefits are due to the treatment itself rather than psychological factors. Patients will be monitored for pain relief and functional improvement over the course of the study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, effective treatment option for patients with knee osteoarthritis who do not respond well to conventional therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Initial studies on genicular artery embolization have shown promising results, but this specific sham-controlled approach is novel and aims to validate its efficacy more rigorously.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahmed, Osman — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Ahmed, Osman
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.