Joint & Vascular Institute recently welcomed two distinguished visitors who came to learn from and collaborate with Dr. Osman Ahmed and the JVI team. Their visits reflect JVI’s growing role in the clinical practice, research, and continued development of genicular artery embolization (GAE).
From observing procedures firsthand to discussing an important U.S. clinical trial, both visits centered on a shared goal: advancing minimally invasive care for people living with chronic knee pain.
Dr. Keith Pereira Observes GAE Procedures at JVI
Dr. Keith Pereira, chief of interventional radiology at St. Louis University, recently visited Joint & Vascular Institute to observe Dr. Ahmed perform three GAE procedures in one morning.
Dr. Pereira is an accomplished interventional radiologist with extensive experience in prostate artery embolization (PAE), vascular care, and other advanced embolization procedures. He is also a respected educator who regularly shares his knowledge at national and international medical meetings.
During his visit, Dr. Pereira was particularly interested in Dr. Ahmed’s experience using the LipioJoint technique for GAE. This approach uses an ethiodized oil-based emulsion to target abnormal blood vessels associated with knee osteoarthritis pain.
Dr. Ahmed was an early adopter of this technique in the United States, building on the work of Dr. Marc Sapoval and his colleagues in Paris. Research led by Dr. Sapoval has reported improvements in pain and function following GAE for at least three months in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
Having a physician of Dr. Pereira’s experience visit JVI specifically to observe these procedures was a meaningful honor for the entire team. It also created an opportunity for two experienced interventional radiologists to exchange ideas about technique, patient selection, and the evolving role of GAE.
What Is Genicular Artery Embolization?
Genicular artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure for chronic knee pain associated with osteoarthritis.
During GAE, an interventional radiologist guides a very small catheter into selected arteries around the knee. An embolic material is then carefully delivered to abnormal blood vessels associated with inflammation and pain.
The procedure does not remove or replace the knee joint. It is typically performed in an outpatient setting, and patients usually return home the same day.
GAE may be an option for some patients whose knee pain has continued despite medications, physical therapy, injections, or other conservative treatments. An individual evaluation is needed to determine whether the procedure is appropriate.
NextBioMedical CEO Visits JVI to Discuss the RESORB Trial
JVI also welcomed Dr. Don Haeng, CEO of NextBioMedical, who traveled from South Korea to meet with Dr. Ahmed and the institute’s research team.
The visit focused on JVI’s participation in the pivotal RESORB clinical trial. This study is evaluating Nexsphere-F™, a fast-resorbable embolic microsphere designed for musculoskeletal embolization. Nexsphere-F has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its proposed use in treating knee osteoarthritis pain through temporary embolization of the genicular arteries.
JVI is currently the leading enrollment site for the RESORB trial. During the meeting, Dr. Lee and the JVI team discussed the institute’s success in enrolling eligible participants and asked Dr. Ahmed to continue taking a leading investigator role in supporting the trial’s enrollment efforts.
This work is an important part of evaluating the safety and effectiveness of Nexsphere-F and supporting the research necessary for potential future use in the United States. Participation in the trial also gives JVI an active role in shaping how newer embolic technologies may be studied and used in musculoskeletal care.
Why These Visits Matter
Medical progress depends on collaboration. Physicians learn from one another, researchers evaluate new approaches, and clinical trial teams collect the evidence needed to determine which treatments may benefit patients.
These recent visits highlight several aspects of JVI’s work:
- Extensive experience performing genicular artery embolization
- Early adoption and careful evaluation of evolving GAE techniques
- Collaboration with physicians and researchers from around the world
- Leadership in patient enrollment for clinical research
- A continued commitment to advancing musculoskeletal embolization
JVI’s physicians don’t simply perform these procedures. They contribute to the research, education, and professional collaboration, helping to move the field forward.
Advancing Minimally Invasive Knee Pain Care
For patients, this involvement means receiving care from a team that remains closely connected to the latest research and technical developments in GAE.
Not every patient with knee osteoarthritis is a candidate for embolization, and no single approach is right for everyone. At Joint & Vascular Institute, each recommendation begins with a careful review of the patient’s symptoms, imaging, prior treatments, medical history, and personal goals.
JVI is proud to collaborate with respected physicians and industry leaders who share its commitment to expanding evidence-based, minimally invasive options for chronic joint pain.
Joint & Vascular Institute serves patients at its Libertyville and Rockford locations, as well as communities throughout Chicago and Northern Illinois. Request a consultation to learn whether genicular artery embolization may be appropriate for your knee pain.