@@My Journey With Knee Pain -- And an Unexpected Alternative to Knee Replacement…read more Good morning, everyone. I wanted to share my personal journey with knee pain and the treatments I've tried, in hopes it might help someone going through the same thing. The Beginning of My Knee Pain About 10 years ago, I began experiencing serious knee pain. I'm now 67, so it wasn't exactly a surprise, but it was still life-changing. My orthopedic surgeon diagnosed me with bone-on-bone arthritis and recommended a knee replacement. Instead, I started with cortisone injections every three months. For years, those shots worked like magic. Along with physical therapy, knee braces, topical creams, and supportive orthopedic shoes, I was able to manage the pain and live my life. When the Injections Stopped Working Unfortunately, this year everything changed. The cortisone injections only gave me mild relief, and the pain returned long before I could get the next one. I tried: * Hyaluronic acid injections - no improvement * PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections - mild relief for about a month By June, my surgeon and I agreed it was time for knee replacement surgery. He also advised me to stop cortisone injections to reduce surgical risks. I scheduled the procedure and began preparing. A Setback I Never Expected Around this time, I joined this online knee replacement group for support -- but reading story after story of months-long pain and slow recoveries honestly scared me. Still, my pain was unbearable, so I was ready to proceed. Then, the unthinkable happened. I fell off a ladder and suffered a severe injury to my right leg -- the same one scheduled for surgery. I had an 8-inch skin tear, all the way to the bone. My surgeon immediately canceled my surgery, saying I'd need to wait at least a year for the skin to fully heal. The worst part? No more cortisone shots, ever. My skin was now too thin, and the risk was too high. My daily pain level was a 7 or 8 out of 10. I couldn't sleep, walking was torture, and my quality of life plummeted. Searching for Another Option Desperate for relief, I kept researching and came across Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) -- a procedure that blocks inflammation by targeting the tiny arteries around the knee. I asked about it on social media, and a few people shared they had tried it years ago but only got short-term relief. However, the procedure recently received FDA approval, so I decided it was worth investigating. I contacted the San Francisco Vein and Vascular Institute, and Dr. Nathanson was incredibly helpful. After discussing my situation, he encouraged me to give it a try. The Procedure On Monday, I went in for my GAE procedure. The facility was beautiful, the staff welcoming, and the equipment state-of-the-art. The entire procedure took less than an hour. I limped in with a cane... and walked out normally just a few hours later. No sharp pain -- only a dull ache. Over the next couple of days, I experienced mild soreness when standing, but it was nothing compared to before. Today, three days after the procedure, I am 99% pain-free -- no pain medication, not even Tylenol. Looking Back What I once saw as a disaster -- my fall -- turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It forced me to seek an alternative to knee replacement, and I am so grateful I did. I know GAE may not be permanent, but it can be repeated if needed, and by then, there may be even more options available. Today, I am deeply thankful to Dr. Nathanson and the San Francisco Vein and Vascular Institute for giving me my mobility and my life back. If you're struggling with knee pain and looking for alternatives, it may be worth exploring GAE. I'll continue to update my journey in the weeks ahead. Good luck everyone.

The SF Vein and Vascular team have been excellent from start to finish. Scheduling, billing, and…read morethe care team are professional, caring, and supportive. Dr. Nathanson performed three procedures for me with great skill and an excellent bedside manner. I experienced no pain, and my recovery was almost immediate with no downtime. The Bay Area has many options for vein care, but in my opinion, this team is the best. I traveled 90 miles for my appointments, and it was well worth it. The facility is easy to find, modern, and welcoming. I highly recommend SF Vein and Vascular.

I've been going to Dr. Nordlicht for years and he's great. Always cheerful, takes my medical…read moreconcerns seriously and I enjoy our friendly banter.

Dr. Nordlicht is so kind. He listen and cares. He also has been a md for a long time and has…read moreexcellent assessment skills. I like the location of his office across the hospital and it is easy to make an appt with him on the sutter application. He helps with referrals and other needs when asked :) highly recommend Dr nordlicht

I've been going to Dr. Hinshaw for 8 months, and despite my thinking it couldn't get better after…read moreevery visit, it somehow does. He is so patient, gentle, kind, knowledgeable, and speaks in a way that is accessible to anyone. I feel exceptionally lucky to have him as my PCP (type of care he provides me is being my primary care physician). Whoever the CEO is: pay him more because I truly hope he never leaves. He is the consummate healer.

Dr. Hinshaw is a superb physician. My wife and I recently were in need of a new GP when our…read morelong-time primary-care doctor suspended her practice. After searching for a replacement a good bit, we finally found Dr. Hinshaw and could not be more pleased with him and the care he has rendered us. He is extraordinarily thorough, curious, and probing without being the least bit intrusive. We are most happy with the care we have received from him and have no hesitation in giving Dr. Hinshaw our most enthusiastic recommendation.

Best Dr. ever. Genuinely cares, Takes his time, your…read morehealth is number one no how much money he's going to make from insurance. I feel very luck to be in his care.

Dr Naber is great--no nonsense yet thorough. The people who work at the front desk in his office…read moreare also pretty great, as are the nurses. The one thing to keep in mind is that he doesn't take credit cards, so you'll either have to go across the street to the ATM in that bodega or bring your check book/cash.

Dr. Roco is very caring, knowledgeable, patient and thorough. He has been our doctor since we moved…read moreto San Francisco.

Been with him for many years he always listened to everything. If I need to seem for something…read morealways fits me in. His office have always taken care of me as well. I am type2 diabetes and with his help I have been doing better. Won't be trying to find a new doctor anytime soon.

Dr. Ben Maeck has been my primary care physician for over 15 years - and, in my opinion, he is a…read morereally great doctor. Not only is he a super diagnostician - he is also a truly caring person who makes sure to "get it right" and be there when you need him to see you. I, myself, have had several health care challenges, and he has helped me with all of them - referring me out to specialists, when needed - but also handling matters expertly himself, when needed. There is no way I can recommend him more highly - he is a terrific physician and a wonderful person, to boot. If you are looking for a PCP - look no further. He is a San Francisco treasure - "old school" in every good way - but he's also very, very smart and he will take excellent care of you. Call his able assistant Nick and make an appointment. (You can thank me later.)

I recently, as a new patient, had my 1st appointment with Dr. Maech. I went over my medical history…read moreand my early upbringing. Dr. Maech spoke of his East Coast upbringing and how he, like his father, decide to become a physician. He also spoke of his medical schooling and training. What impressed me the most, among other things, was his concern and personal involvement with those without medical coverage and/or access to prescription meds and/or a warm bed for the night Dr. Benjamin H. Maech lll is a Tier 1 caring physician and I feel blessed to refer to him as my Doctor.

Last time I reviewed Dr David Segars was nine years ago and at that time been a patient for 15…read moreyears. Im pushing 25 years with Doctor Segars and have had excellent care. He has a great personality and explains everything. I think his experience as an Air Force Flight Surgeon is part of the reason he's an excellent MD. Keeping fighter pilots physically fit means he has a vast amount of knowledge about medical conditions. Still five stars for both Doctors and the front desk.

I have been a patient of David Segars for at least 30 years. He is attentive, caring, listens,…read moredoes a fine physical exam and directs my overall health care with the proper specialists. I am able to make timely appointments and my prescriptions are promptly forwarded to the pharmacy. He recommends ways to improve my health. His office staff is friendly and welcoming. I fear the day he retires because I will need to find another doc as good as he is. He also treated my mother for many years before she passed. She actually enjoyed going in to see him, go figure.

Dr. Duong is very caring and thorough! Much more detailed than any physician I ever had in my 40+…read moreyears. I'm happy to drive from the East Bay to visit him.

My husband is so skeptical of the medical industry that he's had maybe 3 physicals in his adult…read morelife. I finally made him an appointment and told him, "Just go!" He had his first routine physical with Dr. Duong today and said, "It's the only time in my life I've ever felt like a doctor's really listened to me." He said he received an extremely thorough top-to-toe examination and was able to have all his questions answered. There was no pressure to hustle along and he said it felt like going to a small town family practitioner in the middle of a big city. When Dr. Duong suggested a couple lifestyle changes that might be helpful, my husband didn't feel judged or criticized; he felt like he was working with the doctor instead of being lectured by him. Thank you Dr. Duong for taking such good care of the most important person in my life! Also, for some reason it says on the Yelp page that the office does not accept insurance. While it's probably true that they don't accept ALL insurance, we have PPO Aetna Signature Administrators and our insurance is accepted. Don't be deterred, call and ask if they take your insurance!