Today, I had the privilege of speaking at the GAE Embolisation Study Day, held at the Novotel Reading Centre. This one-day event brought together a multidisciplinary faculty of interventional radiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists, radiographers, and researchers from across the UK to explore the growing role of genicular artery embolisation (GAE) in managing musculoskeletal (MSK) pain—especially in patients with osteoarthritis and chronic tendinopathy.
The morning sessions covered the science and clinical rationale behind GAE, including the pathophysiology of OA and the evolving place of embolotherapy within the MSK treatment pathway. I was pleased to present the orthopaedic perspective on the current management of OA, particularly focusing on the “problem patients” who fall between conservative measures and surgical intervention. It was great to speak alongside Huw Griffiths and Leighton Powell, who brought invaluable physiotherapy insight.
Unfortunately, I had to return to the hospital to finish my knee clinic, but I heard from the team that hands-on simulator training, technical case reviews, and panel discussions filled the rest of the day, culminating in a wide-ranging debate on patient selection, technique, and practice development. A real highlight from this day was the emerging data from the GO Wales and GENESIS trials, offering early but promising outcomes in real-world GAE use.
GAE is a field gaining serious momentum, and today’s study day reinforced its potential to improve quality of life for patients who previously had few options. My thanks to Professor Mark Little, Dr Nimit Goyal, and the whole organising team for an expertly curated event.
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Mr Nev Davies (FRCS Tr&Orth)
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon