Knee pain can be frustrating because it doesn’t always show up the same way from one person to the next. Some people feel a dull ache after walking the dog. Others notice stiffness when they get out of the car, swelling after a round of golf, or a grinding sensation when going downstairs.
If you have been wondering, “Does this feel like arthritis in my knee?” you are not alone. Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain, affecting almost one in four adults over age 40. It happens when the protective cartilage in the knee gradually wears down, which can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
At ECCO Medical, we help patients in the Denver area understand what may be causing their knee pain and whether a minimally invasive option called genicular artery embolization, or GAE, may be appropriate.
GAE is not for every type of knee pain, but for select patients with knee osteoarthritis who have not found enough relief from conservative care, it may help reduce pain without knee replacement surgery.
How Arthritis Pain in the Knee Often Starts
Knee arthritis often begins as a deep, aching pain in or around the joint. At first, it may be mild, occasional, or easy to brush off. Over time, that discomfort can become more noticeable during everyday movements like walking, climbing stairs, standing up from a chair, kneeling, or getting in and out of a vehicle.
Many patients describe knee osteoarthritis as a stiff, sore, heavy, or grinding feeling rather than a sharp pain. The knee may feel “rusty” after sitting for a while, then loosen up once you begin moving. This short-lived stiffness after rest is common in osteoarthritis.
You may also notice that your symptoms change from day to day. A walk around Wash Park, a hike near Red Rocks, or a long day on your feet may leave your knee more swollen or tender later that evening. Cold weather, increased activity, or standing on hard surfaces can also make symptoms feel worse for some people.
Common Signs of Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis does not always cause constant pain. In the beginning, symptoms may be subtle enough that many people ignore them or blame them on aging, old sports injuries, or being “out of shape.”
Common symptoms include:
Knee Pain That Gets Worse With Activity
Pain from knee osteoarthritis often shows up during weight-bearing activities. You may feel it when walking longer distances, taking stairs, squatting, or standing for a long time. The pain may improve with rest at first, but as arthritis progresses, it can become more persistent.
Some people feel pain mostly on the inside of the knee. Others feel it around the kneecap or across the entire joint. The location can depend on which part of the knee is most affected.
Stiffness After Sitting or First Thing in the Morning
A stiff knee after getting out of bed, standing up after a movie, or stepping out of the car is one of the classic signs of osteoarthritis. The knee may feel tight, slow, or difficult to bend at first.
With osteoarthritis, morning stiffness is often shorter than what patients experience with inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. If stiffness lasts a long time, involves multiple joints, or comes with other systemic symptoms, it is important to be evaluated by a clinician.
Swelling or Pressure
Osteoarthritis can irritate the joint lining and surrounding tissues, which may lead to swelling or a feeling of pressure in the knee. Swelling may be more noticeable after activity as cartilage breaks down and the joint becomes irritated. Some patients say their knee feels “puffy” or “tight” by the end of the day.
Grinding, Clicking, or Crunching
A grinding, crackling, or crunching sensation is called crepitus. It can happen when roughened cartilage surfaces move against each other. Not every pop or click means arthritis, but when joint noise occurs with pain, stiffness, or swelling, it may be worth discussing with a knee pain specialist.
Trouble With Stairs, Chairs, and Hills
Many patients with knee osteoarthritis first notice the problem during daily movements. Stairs may become uncomfortable, especially when going down. Getting up from a low chair may take more effort. Walking downhill may feel worse than walking on flat ground.
These limitations matter. Knee arthritis is not just about pain. It can slowly change how active, confident, and independent you feel.
A Knee That Feels Weak or Unstable
Some people describe their arthritic knee as unreliable. It may feel like it could buckle, shift, or “give out.” This can happen because pain, swelling, stiffness, or muscle weakness changes how the knee moves.
If your knee gives out frequently, locks, or feels unstable after an injury, it is important to be evaluated. Not all knee pain is osteoarthritis.
Where Is Arthritis Knee Pain Usually Felt?
Knee arthritis pain can show up in several places:
The inside of the knee is a common area, especially when the medial compartment is affected. The front of the knee may hurt when arthritis involves the kneecap joint. Some patients feel pain along the outside of the knee, while others feel a more general ache throughout the joint.
Pain may also spread into the upper shin or lower thigh. This can make it difficult to tell whether the problem is coming from the knee itself, nearby tendons, the hip, or even the lower back. That is one reason a proper evaluation matters.
How Do I Know If It Is Knee Osteoarthritis and Not Something Else?
Knee osteoarthritis is common, but it is not the only cause of knee pain. Meniscus tears, ligament injuries, tendon problems, bursitis, inflammatory arthritis, gout, infection, and referred pain from the hip or spine can also cause knee symptoms.
A knee pain specialist will usually start with your medical history and a physical exam. They may ask when the pain started, where it hurts, what makes it worse, what helps, whether the knee swells, and how the pain affects your daily life.
Imaging may also be recommended. Weight-bearing X-rays are commonly used to look for signs of osteoarthritis, such as joint space narrowing and bone spurs. MRI may be helpful in certain cases, especially when a soft tissue injury or another diagnosis is suspected.
When Should You See a Knee Pain Doctor?
You should consider seeing a knee pain doctor if knee pain is limiting your normal activities, lasting more than a few weeks, worsening over time, or not improving with rest, physical therapy, medication, or injections.
You should seek prompt medical evaluation if you cannot bear weight, cannot fully bend or straighten the knee, have major swelling, have a fever with redness and warmth, notice a visible deformity, or develop severe pain after an injury.
For many patients, the right time to see a specialist is before the pain becomes severe. Earlier evaluation can help clarify the diagnosis and expand your treatment options.
Osteoarthritis Knee Treatment Options
When it comes to osteoarthritis knee treatment, most patients start with conservative care. This may include activity modification, physical therapy, strengthening exercises, weight management when appropriate, bracing, topical anti-inflammatory medication, oral anti-inflammatory medication, or corticosteroid injections.
The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation strongly recommend several non-surgical approaches for knee osteoarthritis, including exercise, weight loss for patients who are overweight or obese, self-management programs, tai chi, cane use when needed, tibiofemoral bracing for certain patients, topical NSAIDs, oral NSAIDs, and intra-articular corticosteroid injections.
These treatments can be helpful, especially in earlier stages. But not everyone gets enough relief. Some patients are told they are not ready for knee replacement, while others want to delay or avoid surgery. That is where GAE may be considered.
What Is the GAE Procedure, and Can It Help Knee Pain?
Genicular artery embolization, often called GAE, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat pain related to knee osteoarthritis. It is performed by an interventional radiology specialist using image guidance.
The goal of GAE is to reduce abnormal blood flow to inflamed areas around the knee. In osteoarthritis, chronic inflammation can contribute to pain and irritation in the joint. During the procedure, a specialist guides a small catheter through the blood vessels to the genicular arteries around the knee, then delivers tiny particles to decrease excess blood flow to the inflamed tissue.
GAE does not replace missing cartilage. It is designed to reduce inflammation-related pain and improve function for carefully selected patients.
Is GAE an Alternative to Knee Replacement?
No. GAE is not a direct alternative to knee replacement in patients who clearly need joint replacement surgery. It also does not rebuild cartilage or reverse arthritis.
Instead, GAE may be an option for patients who are trying to reduce osteoarthritis-related knee pain, improve daily function, and potentially delay surgery. For some patients, it fills an important gap between conservative care and joint replacement.
If your arthritis is severe and your knee structure is significantly damaged, knee replacement may still be the most appropriate option. If your pain is moderate, inflammation-driven, and not responding to conservative treatment, GAE may be worth discussing.
Why Choose ECCO Medical for GAE in Denver?
ECCO Medical is a Colorado-based outpatient interventional radiology clinic specializing in minimally invasive, image-guided treatments. Our team focuses on helping patients understand their options clearly, including when a procedure may help and when another path may be better.
For patients with knee osteoarthritis, our approach begins with listening. We want to understand how your knee pain affects your life, whether that means walking around your neighborhood, staying active with family, working comfortably, or enjoying the Colorado lifestyle with less pain.
If GAE is appropriate, we explain the procedure, expected recovery, potential benefits, risks, and alternatives so you can make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis in the Knee and GAE
What does early arthritis in the knee feel like?
Early knee arthritis often feels like a mild ache, stiffness, or soreness that comes and goes. You may notice it after activity, when climbing stairs, or after sitting for a long time. The knee may loosen up after a few minutes of movement.
Can knee arthritis cause sharp pain?
Yes, it can. While osteoarthritis often causes aching or stiffness, some people feel sharper pain with certain movements, especially twisting, squatting, stairs, or standing from a seated position. Sharp pain can also come from other knee problems, so it should be evaluated if it persists.
Does knee osteoarthritis always show up on an X-ray?
Often, but symptoms and imaging do not always match perfectly. Some people have significant arthritis on X-ray with mild pain, while others have more pain than expected based on imaging. A knee pain specialist looks at both the imaging and your symptoms.
Is walking good for knee osteoarthritis?
For many patients, gentle low-impact activity can help maintain mobility, strength, and joint function. Exercise is strongly recommended in osteoarthritis guidelines, although the right type and intensity should be tailored to the patient.
When should I consider GAE for knee pain?
You may consider GAE if you have knee osteoarthritis pain that continues despite conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, bracing, or injections, and you want to explore a minimally invasive option. A consultation can help determine whether GAE fits your diagnosis and goals.
Is GAE painful?
Most patients tolerate the procedure well. Local anesthesia and comfort measures are used. You may feel pressure at times, but the procedure is designed to be minimally invasive.
Does GAE cure knee arthritis?
No. GAE does not cure arthritis or restore cartilage. Its goal is to reduce inflammation-related pain and improve function in selected patients with knee osteoarthritis.
How do I find out if I am a candidate?
The best next step is a consultation with a knee pain specialist experienced in GAE. When you schedule an appointment at ECCO Medical, we’ll review your symptoms, imaging, prior treatments, and health history to determine whether GAE or another treatment is most appropriate.
Talk With a Denver Knee Pain Specialist About GAE
If knee pain is keeping you from walking comfortably, using stairs, exercising, or enjoying daily life, it may be time to get answers. Arthritis in the knee can feel different for every patient, but persistent pain, stiffness, swelling, and grinding should not be ignored.
ECCO Medical offers minimally invasive treatment options for patients with knee osteoarthritis, including GAE for knee pain when appropriate.
Schedule a consultation with ECCO Medical at our Lone Tree office, serving the Denver metro area, to learn whether GAE may be right for your knee osteoarthritis pain. We also see patients at our Pueblo location.
