Get back to the court. Get back to the course. Get back to your life.
If chronic knee pain is keeping you off the pickleball court, away from the golf course, or limiting the walks and activities you love — there’s a solution that doesn’t require surgery, doesn’t put you out for weeks, and is right here in Naples.
(GAE) is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure performed by Dr. Russell Becker — Naples' most experienced GAE specialist — that targets the root cause of knee osteoarthritis pain and gets you back to moving the way you want to.
A New Option for Knee Pain That Doesn’t Start with Surgery.
Geniculate Artery Embolization is a breakthrough treatment for knee osteoarthritis pain — and for many patients in Naples, it’s changing everything.
Here’s what happens in the knee when you have osteoarthritis: the joint becomes inflamed, and over time, your body actually grows new, abnormal blood vessels into the knee to try to heal it. The problem is, those extra vessels make things worse — feeding more inflammation and more pain.
GAE works by gently blocking those abnormal vessels. Through a small nick in the skin — no stitches, no hospital stay — Dr. Becker guides a thin, flexible tube to the arteries feeding that inflammation and delivers tiny particles to quiet it down. The cycle of pain breaks. The swelling eases. You start feeling better.
The whole procedure takes about 1–2 hours. You go home the same day. Most patients are back to light activity within 24–48 hours — and feeling real, meaningful relief within 2 to 4 weeks.
1-2 Hour Procedure
Done in Dr. Becker’s office
~80% Success Rate
For mild-to-moderate OA at 2 years
Same-Day Discharge
No overnight hospital stay
Back to Activity in 2–4 Days
Minimal downtime
No General Anesthesia
Local anesthetic only
Insurance Covered
Most major carriers accepted
Is GAE Right for You?
Most of Dr. Becker’s GAE patients are active men and women in their 60s to 80s who want real relief — without trading months of recovery for a total knee replacement they’re not ready for.
GAE is a strong option if you:
Have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis and live with ongoing joint pain
Have tried physical therapy, cortisone shots, or pain medications — and still hurt
Are not ready for total knee replacement, or want to delay it as long as possible
Have been told you’re not a good surgical candidate due to age, weight, or other health conditions
Had a knee replacement and are still experiencing pain
Want to stay active — and just need your knee to cooperate
GAE is not a cure for arthritis — but for the right patient, it can make a profound difference in daily comfort and mobility. The consultation is a covered visit with most major insurance plans, so there’s no cost barrier to finding out if you qualify.
Naples' Most Experienced GAE Specialist.
When it comes to a procedure this specialized, who performs it — and where — matters. Dr. Becker is Naples’ only fellowship-trained vascular surgeon offering GAE in a dedicated, in-office procedure suite. With over 50 GAE procedures performed and international training behind him, he’s Southwest Florida’s most experienced GAE specialist.
Russell Becker, DO, is a fellow-trained vascular surgeon with years of experience in endovascular and vascular surgery. He sought out specialized training in GAE internationally — including in Tokyo — to bring this procedure to patients right here in Naples. He has now performed over 50 GAE procedures and growing, in his fully equipped, in-office procedure suite.When you come in for a consultation, you meet Dr. Becker.
When you come in for your procedure, Dr. Becker performs it himself. There are no handoffs. You’re not shuffled through a system. You’re his patient.
And because the Vascular Center of Naples has a full, hospital-grade procedure suite on-site, you get care that would normally only be available at a major medical center — without the hassle of a hospital visit.
Real Patients. Real Results.
Real Naples.
Your Questions, Answered.
These are the questions patients ask most often when they come in to see Dr. Becker. We want you to walk in informed and confident.
Dr. Becker makes a tiny puncture in the skin — no larger than the tip of a pen — and uses real-time imaging to guide a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to the small arteries around your knee that are feeding the inflammation. He then delivers microscopic particles to block those vessels. The inflammatory cycle slows, pain decreases, and your knee gets a chance to calm down. There’s no cutting, no general anesthesia, and no stitches.
You’ll come into our office at the Vascular Center of Naples. The procedure itself takes about 1–2 hours, done right here in our in-office suite. We use local anesthesia and, if needed, light sedation to keep you comfortable. After a short recovery period, you go home the same day. Bring someone to drive you, and plan for a relaxed rest of the day.
Yes. Dr. Becker personally performs every GAE procedure. You won’t see a different physician on the day of your procedure. You’ll have the same doctor who reviewed your imaging, answered your questions, and made your care plan.
Yes. The Vascular Center of Naples has a full procedure suite right in our office at 1875 Veterans Park Drive. You get hospital-level care in a comfortable, private setting — no checking in at a hospital, no navigating a big system. Just you and a team that knows your name.
Most patients are up and moving with light activity within 24–48 hours. We ask you to avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and submerging the access site for a short time. Dr. Becker will give you specific guidance based on your procedure. The goal is a smooth, easy recovery — most people describe the post-procedure experience as remarkably easy.
Pain relief typically begins within 2 to 4 weeks as inflammation subsides. Most patients can return to their regular activities — including pickleball, golf, and walking — within a few weeks, depending on how they respond. Everyone heals at a slightly different pace, and Dr. Becker will work with you on a timeline that makes sense for your life.
No. GAE does not damage the knee joint and does not affect your candidacy for total knee replacement down the road. Many patients use GAE to buy time — to delay surgery until they’re ready, or to avoid it altogether. It keeps all your options open.
Most major insurance carriers cover GAE. Your initial consultation is typically billed as a standard office visit, which is covered under most plans. Our team will walk you through the specifics of your coverage before anything else happens.
Most patients report very little discomfort during or after the procedure. We use local anesthesia at the access site, and light sedation is available if needed. Post-procedure soreness at the entry point is normal and typically resolves within a day or two.
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Ready to Find Out If GAE
Is Right for You?
You’ve lived with this long enough. If knee pain is keeping you from the things you love — pickleball, golf, staying active, sleeping through the night without aching — it’s time to find out if there’s a better answer.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Becker at the Vascular Center of Naples. Your appointment is typically covered by insurance as a regular office visit. There’s no obligation. Just answers.
To Find Out If You Are a Candidate