Minimally Invasive Vascular & Joint Pain Treatment
Dr. Nathanson is a board-certified vascular and endovascular surgeon and Chief of Vascular Surgery at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. He specializes in minimally invasive, image-guided treatments for vascular disease and chronic musculoskeletal pain, including genicular artery embolization (GAE), a non-surgical option for patients seeking alternatives to knee replacement. As Co-founder of the San Francisco Vein and Vascular Institute, Dr. Nathanson provides comprehensive care for arterial and venous conditions, combining advanced vascular expertise with emerging therapies to improve outcomes and reduce the need for surgery.
Conditions and Treatments
Dr. Nathanson provides comprehensive care for a wide range of vascular conditions and chronic joint pain, including:
Knee pain from osteoarthritis treated with Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)
Shoulder, hip, and joint pain treated with MSK embolization
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Varicose veins and venous insufficiency
Dialysis access care
Limb salvage and non-healing wounds
Advanced Training in MSK and Joint Embolization
Dr. Nathanson specializes in minimally invasive treatments for chronic joint pain, including Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) and musculoskeletal (MSK) embolization. These procedures are designed to reduce inflammation and improve function without the need for surgery.
For patients with knee osteoarthritis, Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) offers a non-surgical option to relieve pain and restore mobility. MSK embolization may also be used to treat chronic pain in the shoulder, hip, and other joints when conservative treatments have not provided relief.
Dr. Nathanson training with Dr. Yuji Okuno in Japan
Certificate of advanced training in MSK and genicular artery embolization
Experience & Expertise
Dr. Nathanson has performed over 5,000 peripheral angiographic and vascular procedures throughout his career, providing him with extensive experience in minimally invasive, catheter-based treatments.
This depth of experience is critical in treating a wide range of vascular conditions, including peripheral artery disease (PAD), venous disease, dialysis access, and advanced embolization procedures such as Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) and MSK embolization. These procedures require precision and a detailed understanding of vascular anatomy to achieve safe and effective results.
His background in complex vascular intervention allows him to approach each case with a comprehensive understanding of both arterial and venous disease, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate and individualized treatment plan.
Education & Training
Dr. Nathanson completed advanced training at leading institutions in vascular and endovascular surgery.
Residency — Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Fellowship — Vascular & Endovascular Surgery, Arizona Heart Institute
Fellowship — University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
Board Certified in Vascular Surgery
Hospital Affiliations
California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC)
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
St. Mary’s Medical Center
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Nathanson welcomes patients and referrals for both traditional vascular care and non-surgical pain management through embolization. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.
