What age do you need to be for GAE?

GAE is generally recommended for adults over 40 with knee osteoarthritis. Younger patients are evaluated case by case, since knee pain under 40 is more often caused by injury than by the inflammatory arthritis GAE treats.

Can I have GAE if I have already had knee injections?

Yes. Having tried injections without lasting relief is part of the typical candidate profile. Injections that helped briefly and wore off often point to the inflammation GAE is designed to treat.

Does bone-on-bone arthritis disqualify me from GAE?

Not automatically. GAE targets inflammation rather than cartilage, so severe wear can still be a candidate if the knee alignment is preserved and inflammation is present. That is determined during your evaluation.

Can GAE be done on both knees?

Each knee is evaluated on its own. If both qualify, treatment planning is discussed during your consultation.

How do I know if my knee pain is really coming from my back?

Pain that travels down the leg, changes with sitting or bending, or comes with numbness and tingling often points to the spine. Ruling this out is one of the first steps in a GAE evaluation, because GAE cannot treat pain that starts somewhere else.

Knee Arthritis Archives - Integrated Pain Specialists

Knee Pain

Who Qualifies for GAE? An Honest Candidacy Checklist

Integrated Pain Specialists / September 2, 2026

Patient selection is the biggest factor in whether GAE gives lasting relief. Here is the same checklist our team uses, written for you instead of a chart.

CONDITIONS

TREATMENTS

Knee Arthritis

Who Qualifies for GAE? An Honest Candidacy Checklist