For Ralph, life in retirement is anything but slow. At 72 years old, the South Portland, Maine native spends his days chasing after his two young grandsons who live right next door. Whether he’s down on the floor arranging dinosaurs, carrying giggling toddlers on his back, or keeping up on family trips to New York City, Ralph cherishes these moments of connection and activity.
But for years, chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis threatened to take those moments away.
A Long Journey Through Pain
Ralph had been managing his chronic knee issues for over a decade. After undergoing a bilateral meniscectomy 14 years ago, he experienced some initial relief—but the pain gradually returned and worsened with age.
Despite rounds of cortisone injections, Orthovisc treatments, and nerve ablation procedures, Ralph saw no lasting improvement. Everyday activities became increasingly difficult. Getting in and out of the car required effort. Gardening—his beloved hobby—meant devising an “escape plan” to get off the ground. Walking through Manhattan with his wife, a famously fast walker, left him fatigued and frustrated.
Knee replacement surgery began to feel inevitable, yet Ralph wasn’t ready. Recovery would mean stepping back from his most important role—providing daily care and joyful engagement for his grandsons. He needed a solution that wouldn’t sideline him.
Discovering a Non-Surgical Alternative
That solution came in the form of a referral to Dr. Elizabeth Blazick at The Vascular Care Group in South Portland, ME, one of the few specialists in Maine offering Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE), a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure performed in the office-based lab designed to reduce knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.
These genicular arteries are the primary means through which inflammatory signals travel to the knee, which cause pain in the knee. Parts of these arteries can be embolized (blocked) with tiny beads to reduce the flow to the synovium (lining of the knee). This process has been shown to reduce the inflammation and pain that often accompanies knee osteoarthritis. When done properly, this DOES NOT affect the blood flow to the leg.
Ralph underwent the procedure on his right knee in February, followed by the left just two weeks later. From the first appointment, he was struck by the warmth and professionalism of the care team. “I had never been to a medical office before where every staff member—from the front desk to the surgical suite—was so pleasant, compassionate, and informative,” he shared.
Small Procedure, Big Results
Within just a few days of the first embolization, Ralph noticed a reduction in pain. Over the following weeks, his mobility improved significantly. He began getting up and down from the floor with ease, something he hadn’t been able to do gracefully in years. He even had to “relearn” how to use stairs properly, having unconsciously avoided putting weight on his right knee for so long.
Although gardening and cemetery visits (part of his family genealogy hobby) are still on hold for winter, Ralph is optimistic about returning to the activities he loves as the weather warms. Most importantly, he’s able to remain active and engaged in the lives of his grandsons.
A Future Reclaimed
For Ralph, GAE hasn’t just relieved pain, it’s postponed the need for knee replacement surgery and restored his ability to fully participate in life. “Thank you for bringing this procedure to Maine,” he said. “You’ll be making a huge difference in the lives of many.”
A Message of Hope
If knee pain is holding you or a loved one back, know that there are alternatives to surgery. Genicular Artery Embolization at The Vascular Care Group offers a safe, effective solution with minimal downtime, so you can get back to what matters most.
Call The Vascular Care Group today to learn more about GAE and whether it may be right for you.
Don’t let pain dictate your future. Take the first step toward relief today.