Your online assessment for knee osteoarthritis pain
Genicular artery embolisation (GAE) is a minimally-invasive, image-guided procedure that can reduce the pain of knee osteoarthritis. But it isn't right for everyone — knee pain has many causes, and careful patient selection is the single most important step. This short, private online assessment helps you understand whether GAE is likely to help your pain, before you commit to an in-person visit.
Book my assessment on WhatsApp
Pay for my assessment via SnapScan
Once payment is confirmed, we'll arrange a time that suits you.
R275Per Assessment
15–20 minOnline / Phone
PrivateConfidential
Why selection matters
Unlike some other embolisation procedures, the success of GAE depends heavily on choosing the right patients. Knee pain is multifactorial — it can come from inflammation, mechanical damage, nerve-driven (neuropathic) pain, or a mix of these. GAE tends to help most when pain is driven by inflammation and increased blood supply within the joint lining. A key purpose of this assessment is to understand your pain phenotype — the pattern and likely source of your pain — so we can give you an honest view of whether GAE is likely to help, rather than offering it to everyone.
Symptoms this may relate to
If any of these apply to you, this assessment can help you understand your options and the right next step.
Knee pain — from osteoarthritis
Pain not settling on medication
Not ready for knee replacement
Not a surgical candidate
Tenderness over the joint line
Night pain or pain at rest
Not sure — let's talk
An integrated pathway
GAE is one option among several. We work as part of a team so that your knee is looked at as a whole — and so the right treatment reaches you in the right order.
1
Online assessment
We talk through your pain, its pattern and history, and any imaging you have. Together we work out whether GAE is worth exploring, or whether another route fits you better.
2
Physiotherapy
For many people, a focused physiotherapy programme meaningfully improves knee pain and function. If this suits you, we can guide you into it — on its own or alongside other steps.
3
Knee injections
Where appropriate, image-guided knee injections can be offered — both to relieve pain and, in some cases, to help clarify where your pain is coming from.
4
GAE & specialist review
If you're a good candidate, we arrange GAE with the interventional radiology team, in collaboration with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Marc Nortjé of Cape Hip & Knee — so surgical and non-surgical options are weighed together.
What to expect
What will we discuss?
We'll talk through your knee pain — where it is, what triggers it, how it behaves through the day and night — along with your relevant history and any imaging you've had. The aim is to understand your pain phenotype and help you understand whether genicular artery embolisation (GAE) may be suitable for you. Where useful, we'll explain broadly what the procedure involves and what the next steps would be. This is an information and orientation discussion, not a diagnosis or a commitment to treatment.
Why is this assessment so important for GAE?
Because knee pain is multifactorial, not everyone benefits from GAE. Pain can be driven by inflammation, mechanical wear, nerve-related (neuropathic) pain, or a combination — and GAE targets one particular part of that picture. Offering it to the wrong patient means disappointment and cost with little benefit. The assessment exists to sort this out honestly and early: to identify who is likely to respond, and to point everyone else toward the treatment that genuinely fits them. Good outcomes in GAE start with good selection.
What is GAE?
Genicular artery embolisation is a minimally-invasive, image-guided procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. In an osteoarthritic knee, the inflamed joint lining develops abnormal, excess small blood vessels that contribute to pain. GAE reduces the blood supply to these areas, which can calm the inflammation and ease pain. It doesn't reverse arthritis or replace the joint — it's aimed at pain relief, and is worth understanding alongside physiotherapy, injections, medication and surgery.
Does GAE work for everyone with knee arthritis?
No — and this is the honest heart of it. GAE tends to help most when pain is inflammatory and coming from the joint lining. It's less likely to help when pain is mainly mechanical, structural, or nerve-driven. Part of the value of this assessment is being told clearly if you're unlikely to benefit, so you don't undergo a procedure that isn't right for you.
What if GAE isn't right for me?
Then the assessment has still done its job. We work within an integrated pathway that includes physiotherapy and image-guided knee injections, and we collaborate with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Marc Nortjé of Cape Hip & Knee. That means we can help point you toward the option that fits your knee — whether that's conservative care, injections, GAE, or a surgical opinion.
Who do you work with?
GAE is offered by the interventional radiology team, in collaboration with orthopaedic surgeon Dr Marc Nortjé of Cape Hip & Knee, who took over as head of Arthroplasty at Groote Schuur Hospital and is a specialist hip and knee reconstruction surgeon. This collaboration means your knee is considered from both a non-surgical and surgical perspective, rather than in isolation. You can read more about the Cape Hip & Knee team here.
Can I be assessed in person instead?
Yes — and in fact an in-person assessment is preferred, because examining the knee directly adds a great deal to understanding your pain. This online assessment is a convenient, lower-cost first step to help you understand whether GAE is worth pursuing. If you'd rather be seen in person from the outset, simply message us on WhatsApp and we'll arrange an appointment for you at UCT Private Academic Hospital.
Why an online assessment rather than seeing a specialist directly?
You're welcome to see a specialist directly. But if you'd first like to understand whether you may even be a candidate for GAE, a short online assessment with someone familiar with the procedure and with patient selection can be cheaper and more convenient than an in-person specialist consultation — a quicker way to find out before committing the time and cost of an in-person visit. It's simply an option to help you decide how to proceed. In-person assessment at UCT Private remains available and is preferred where possible.
Do I need imaging or a diagnosis beforehand?
No — neither is required to have the assessment. That said, if you've had knee X-rays, an MRI, or any relevant reports, having them on hand for the call is very helpful, as they give us much more to work with when thinking about your pain. It's recommended but not essential.
How long will it take?
The assessment is approximately 15–20 minutes, online or by phone, at a scheduled time that suits you.
How do I pay?
Payment is by SnapScan, using the button above or the link we've sent you. Your assessment is confirmed once payment is received.
Do you accept medical aid?
Assessments are self-pay and not billed to medical aid directly. However, we provide a detailed invoice that you're welcome to submit to your medical aid yourself for possible reimbursement.
Pay by SnapScan
Tap the SnapScan button above on your phone, or scan the code below from another device.
R275 · Van Der Ross Medical
Affiliations
Van Der Ross Medical is affiliated with Joint Centre SA (in development) and works in collaboration with Dr Marc Nortjé of Cape Hip & Knee, alongside the interventional radiology team based at UCT Private Academic Hospital.
Meet the Cape Hip & Knee team →