Long-term relief from chronic joint pain, without surgery

Embolization is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that reduces the abnormal blood flow feeding a painful, inflamed joint. An interventional radiologist threads a tiny catheter to the arteries supplying the joint and places microscopic particles that calm the source of chronic pain, while healthy circulation is preserved.

Our team offers embolization for chronic knee osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and plantar fasciitis. It is generally considered when pain has lasted several months and rest, therapy, and injections have not provided lasting relief.

You may be a candidate if you have had joint pain for several months and conservative care has not worked, but you are not ready for or want to avoid surgery. Your interventional radiologist will review your history and imaging to confirm whether embolization is right for you. 

Embolization requires no incision on the joint and no general anesthesia. It is done through a pinhole in the wrist, groin, or ankle, depending on the joint, as a same-day outpatient procedure, with a faster return to activity than open surgery.

Most patients go home the same day and return to light activity within a day or two. Pain tends to ease over the first few weeks, with function continuing to improve over the following months.

Coverage varies by procedure and plan. Our team reviews your benefits and explains any costs before anything is scheduled.