GO Wales: Geniculate Artery Embolisation for Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Wales
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Introduction:
GO Wales is a feasibility project introducing geniculate artery embolisation (GAE) as a minimally invasive treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA) in NHS Wales. OA affects 18% of adults over 45 and many experience chronic pain despite conventional care. GAE offers an alternative for patients not eligible or preferring to avoid joint replacement surgery.
Methods:
A multidisciplinary team developed the project using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles to refine the referral pathway, patient information, and outcome measures. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) shaped study materials and consent processes. The protocol was ethically approved, and 31 patients were recruited within 12 months. Outcome measures included Oxford Knee Score (OKS), WOMAC, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and EQ-5D-5L.
Outcomes:
Patients showed marked improvement in pain and function. At baseline, only 3.6% reported “excellent” OKS; at 3 months this rose to 28.6%, with sustained results at 12 months. VAS scores reduced significantly, with no major complications reported. The project demonstrated GAE to be a safe and effective alternative for managing knee OA in NHS Wales.
Learnings:
Early stakeholder engagement, patient-centred design, and robust governance were critical. Refining processes before ethics submission reduced delays. The project validated the feasibility of implementing GAE within NHS structures and created strong foundations for scale-up.
What Next?
GO Wales will expand into national (GEKO) and international (MOTION) trials. A GAE implementation toolkit is being developed for broader NHS adoption. Knowledge is being shared through publications, conferences, and workshops. Lessons from GO Wales are informing pilots for similar procedures (e.g., hip OA). A learning culture is being maintained through regular team reflections and data monitoring. Long term, GAE has potential to reduce waiting times and enhance care for patients with knee OA across Wales.
