Get Fast, Long-Lasting Pain Relief Without Drugs or Surgery.

At Vascular Health Centers we offer a novel minimally-invasive treatment - Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) which provides immediate and long term pain relief for patients with osteoarthritis in knee.

Osteoarthritis

What is Knee
Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is a degenerative,”wear-and-tear” type of arthritis that occurs most often in people 50 years of age and older, although it may occur in younger people, too.

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears away. As the cartilage wears away, it becomes frayed and rough, and the protective space between the bones decreases. This can result in bone rubbing on bone, and produce painful bone spurs.

Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly and the pain it causes worsens over time.

Symptoms

What Are the
Symptoms

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee may include:

Pain that increases when you are active, but gets a little better with rest
Swelling
Feeling of warmth in the joint
Stiffness in the knee, especially in the morning or when you have been sitting for a while
Decrease in mobility of the knee, making it difficult to get in and out of chairs or cars, use the stairs, or walk
Creaking, crackly sound that is heard when the knee moves

If you have any of the above symptoms, we can help evaluate your condition and offer the appropriate treatment.

Treatment

How We Effectively Treat Knee Ostheoarthritis
with Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)

Genicular artery embolization (GAE), or embolization of the knee, is a novel minimally-invasive procedure providing immediate and long term pain relief for patients with osteoarthritis (OA), by reducing the blood flow to the lining of the knee, known as the synovium. It is performed by an Interventional Radiologist (IR), who is a specialist physician that uses X-rays and other imaging modalities to see in the body and treat diseases without surgery.

GAE blocks the blood flow to the lining of the knee, known as synovium, that are inflamed. By blocking these arteries, there is a reduction in the amount of inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, a process that can help or eliminate the associated knee pain. While further research is needed, initial trials shows the promise this technique holds for patients with debilitating knee pain who are not ready or willing to undergo knee replacement surgery. While it may not treat the underlying cartilage destruction, evidence so far shows that this may be an effective way to manage the symptoms.

How It Works

How is GAE Performed

GAE is performed with moderate ‘twilight’ sedation as an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient will go home after the procedure. The procedure generally takes one to two hours. Our IR physicians will insert a small catheter (a thin hollow tube) into the artery of the patient’s upper thigh and, with the use of X-rays, guide the catheter to the arteries supplying the lining of the knee. Tiny particles are then injected through the catheter into these arteries, reducing the blood supply. This in turn reduces the inflammation associated with osteoarthritis, which alleviates the pain.

Knee with osteoarthritis

Arteries to the inflamed knee joint being treated with a small catheter

Post-procedure reduced inflammation to the joint

Is It Right For You?

Who Can Benefit From GAE

Do any of the following apply to you? If yes, reach out to us to see if GAE is an option to get you fast, long-lasting pain relief without drugs or surgery.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee
Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD)
Pain in one or both knees
Pain in your knees when walking up stairs
Stiffness in your knees when you wake up
Persistent usage-related knee pain
Failed or diminishing relief from conservative treatment – i.e. Physical therapy, joint injections

Reach out to us to see if GAE is an option
to get you fast, long-lasting pain relief without
drugs or surgery.

Why choose Us?

Holistic
Approach

Focusing on your overall health, we tailor our treatment plans towards conservative management, involving minimally invasive therapy and surgical options.

Dedicated and
Caring Team

We provide excellent guidance and education for our patients, ensuring they have a thorough understanding of their vascular health.

Affordable
Pricing Packages

Not having insurance is not a problem. Our affordable in-office financing options provide flexible payment plans that are inclusive of all tests.

State of the
Art Facility

Our full range of medical, laser & surgical options, include the latest diagnostic equipment for providing the highest possible vascular care.

About Us

Meet Dr. Obinna Nwobi

Patients in Central Florida turn to trusted vascular surgeon Obinna Nwobi, MD, for all their vein and artery concerns. His practice, Vein Health Clinics, has two convenient locations in Oviedo and Winter Haven, Florida. While completing a double major in English and chemistry in his undergraduate studies at East Tennessee State University, the field of vascular surgery called to Dr. Nwobi.

He then earned a master’s degree in public health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Maryland, focusing on health care management and international health. He went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. Dr. Nwobi completed his internship and residency in general surgery at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

After completing his fellowship in vascular surgery at the Vascular Group PLLC and Albany Medical Center in New York, Dr. Nwobi chose to practice medicine in an underserved area of Florida.

Throughout his career, Dr. Nwobi has helped patients through the Indian Health Services system and Veterans A airs Hospital, while continuing to work at several large private and public hospitals.Dr. Nwobi is a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation, which provides him with specialized training in reading and interpreting all types of vascular ultrasounds. He is also board certified in vascular surgery. As a physician who’s passionate about serving the underserved, Dr. Nwobi dedicates as much time as possible to medical missions.

He has helped countless patients in Nigeria and provided medical care for patients who cannot a ord treatment. Because Dr. Nwobi is genuinely passionate about patient care and has extensive expertise in the most complex vascular conditions, he is trusted throughout Central Florida.

Our Locations

Oviedo

Winter Haven

Ocoee

Book a Free
Consultation

Please select the location where you would like to book an appointment.

1410 West Broadway Suite 105
Oviedo, FL 32765
1121 1st Street S
Winter Haven, FL 33880
572 Ocoee Commerce Parkway
Ocoee, FL 34761

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Get Fast, Long-Lasting Pain Relief Without Drugs or Surgery.

Why choose Us?

Holistic Approach

Dedicated and Caring Team

Affordable Pricing Packages

State of the Art Facility