Embolization Guide
Embolization Guide: Where Does It Hurt?
Dr. Fox performs embolization for chronic pain in the knee, heel, shoulder, elbow, hip and hand. Choose where it hurts to go straight to the guides for that treatment.
Start here
What is musculoskeletal embolization?
Musculoskeletal embolization is a way to treat long-lasting joint and tendon pain from inside a blood vessel, without cutting into the joint. It is used for knee osteoarthritis, where it is called genicular artery embolization (GAE), and has also been studied for plantar fasciitis in the heel, frozen shoulder, tennis and golfer's elbow, hip pain, and osteoarthritis of the fingers and thumb.
The idea is simple. When a joint or tendon stays inflamed for a long time, small abnormal blood vessels can grow in the area. Researchers believe these vessels, and the nerve fibers that grow alongside them, help keep pain going. During embolization, a doctor guides a very thin tube called a catheter through an artery to the painful area using live X-ray. Tiny particles are then released to reduce blood flow through those abnormal vessels, with the goal of calming the inflammation and the pain.
Embolization is not a joint replacement and does not rebuild cartilage or repair a torn tendon. It is meant for people whose pain has not improved with standard care such as exercise, physical therapy, medicines or injections. How much research supports it depends on the body part. Knee embolization has been studied the most, including several randomized trials that compared it with a placebo (sham) procedure, and those trials have had mixed results. Treatment for the heel, shoulder, elbow, hip and hand is newer and based on smaller studies.
Dr. David Fox, a board-certified vascular surgeon, performs embolization for these areas at his Manhattan practice. This guide explains how it works, compares the options side by side and helps you decide whether it is worth a consultation.
Dr. Fox also uses embolization outside the joints, for fibroids: see uterine fibroid embolization (UFE).
How it works
How embolization works, step by step
- Consultation and diagnosisDr. Fox reviews your symptoms, what you have already tried and your imaging. The goal is to confirm the cause of your pain and rule out problems embolization does not treat, such as a fracture or nerve problem.
- Numbing and sedationFor knee embolization, published patient guidance describes local anesthetic or light (conscious) sedation rather than general anesthesia. You are awake or lightly sedated.
- A small artery punctureA needle and thin catheter enter an artery through the skin, often in the groin. Some techniques use an artery in the wrist, ankle or foot instead. No large incision is needed.
- Mapping the abnormal vesselsContrast dye and live X-ray show the arteries around the painful area. Abnormal vessels often appear as a 'blush' of extra blood flow where it hurts.
- Releasing tiny particlesVery small particles are injected through the catheter into those vessels to reduce blood flow there. Some agents are permanent and some dissolve over time.
- Going home and follow-upThe catheter is removed and pressure or a small bandage closes the puncture. Knee embolization is described as a same-day procedure. You will have follow-up to track pain and function over the following weeks and months.
Compare
Knee, heel, shoulder, elbow, hip and hand embolization compared
The same basic technique is used in each area, but the conditions, the patients studied and the amount of research are different. This table summarizes published studies, not results at any one practice.
| Knee (GAE) | Heel (PFE) | Shoulder | Elbow | Hip | Hand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main conditions treated | Knee osteoarthritis pain | Chronic plantar fasciitis (heel pain) | Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis); some studies also include rotator cuff problems | Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) | Hip osteoarthritis and greater trochanteric pain syndrome (pain on the outside of the hip) | Osteoarthritis of the finger joints and the base of the thumb |
| Who it is usually for | Adults with mild to severe knee arthritis pain that has not responded to conservative care | Adults with heel pain that has lasted months despite stretching, shoes, physical therapy or injections; studies required 3 to 6 months or more of failed care | Adults with frozen shoulder pain, often severe at night, that has not improved with conservative care | Adults with elbow tendon pain that has not improved with conservative care; one key study required symptoms for over 6 months | Adults with hip pain not helped by conservative care, often older patients or those not ready for, or not eligible for, hip replacement | Adults with hand osteoarthritis pain that has not improved with conservative care; two studies required at least 3 months of failed treatment |
| How much research exists | Most studied: several trials, including randomized sham-controlled trials, with mixed results. A small 2022 trial favored GAE; a larger 2024 trial found no clear difference from sham | Early: small case series of about 10 to 66 patients; no randomized trials yet | Early but growing: about a dozen small studies (largest about 100 patients), pooled in a 2025 review; no sham-controlled results published that we could verify | Early: a few small studies of about 10 to 24 patients | Very early: a handful of small studies since 2022; no randomized trials | Very early: five small studies of 9 to 92 patients, none with a comparison group; no randomized trials |
| Typical recovery | Same-day procedure; mild bruising or soreness where the catheter went in, then a gradual return to normal activity | In studies, pain often eased within days to a month and kept improving for months | In one study of 24 patients, two-thirds had much less night pain within a week and most within a month | In studies, arm function improved over 1 to 6 months, with results followed up to 2 years in one study | In small studies, pain eased within weeks to 3 months; long-term results are still limited | In studies, done through a wrist artery under local anesthesia with pain tracked for 6 to 24 months; some studies planned two sessions, and in one small study pain partly returned for some patients at 1 month |
Knee
Knee pain: genicular artery embolization (GAE)
For knee osteoarthritis pain that has not responded to other treatment.
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) in Manhattan
Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Meet NYC's GAE specialists at Fox Vein Care.
Read the guide7 Things to Know Before Getting GAE for Knee Pain
Considering genicular artery embolization (GAE) for chronic knee pain? Discover 7 essential things every patient should know before the procedure.
Read the guideIs GAE Painful? Comfort During Genicular Artery Embolization
Worried about pain during GAE? Learn what Genicular Artery Embolization feels like, how comfort is managed, and what to expect before and after.
Read the guideWalking After GAE: Recovery & Mobility Guide
Wondering about recovery time for Genicular Artery Embolization? Discover why you can walk immediately after GAE and how it differs from knee surgery.
Read the guideKnee Pain Treatments Compared
Compare genicular artery embolization (GAE) with cortisone, gel injections, PRP, stem cells, nerve ablation and knee replacement. Dr. Fox's side-by-side guides, in one place.
Read the guideHeel
Heel pain: plantar fasciitis embolization (PFE)
For chronic plantar fasciitis heel pain.
Plantar Fasciitis Embolization (PFE) in Manhattan
Heel pain that has not improved with stretching, orthotics or injections? Plantar fasciitis embolization (PFE) is a minimally invasive option in Manhattan.
Read the guideAm I a Candidate for Plantar Fasciitis Embolization?
Living with chronic heel pain that hasn't responded to stretches, orthotics, or injections? Learn if plantar fasciitis embolization may be right for you.
Read the guideHow PFE Works, Step by Step
Learn how plantar fasciitis embolization (PFE) works step by step, from consultation and treatment to recovery and long-term heel pain relief.
Read the guideIs Plantar Fasciitis Embolization Painful? What to Expect
Wondering if plantar fasciitis embolization hurts? Learn what patients actually experience, from the local anesthetic to recovery.
Read the guidePFE Recovery Timeline: What to Expect
Recovering from plantar fasciitis embolization (PFE)? See what to expect day by day, from your first 24 hours to peak results at months two and three.
Read the guidePlantar Fasciitis Embolization Success Rates
See what published research shows about plantar fasciitis embolization success rates, including how outcomes are measured and what affects results.
Read the guidePlantar Fasciitis Embolization for Runners and Athletes
Still have heel pain after months of rehab? What research shows about plantar fasciitis embolization for runners, training around it, and who should wait.
Read the guideHeel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis Guide
Heel pain that will not go away? Dr. Fox's guides to plantar fasciitis in one place: causes, look-alike conditions, every treatment compared, and embolization (PFE) in Manhattan.
Read the guideShoulder
Shoulder pain: shoulder embolization
For frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) and chronic shoulder pain.
Shoulder Embolization in Manhattan
Shoulder embolization in NYC treats chronic shoulder pain and inflammation with a minimally invasive approach, improving mobility without surgery.
Read the guideFrozen Shoulder: Causes, Symptoms, and Stages
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) explained: what causes it, who is at risk, symptoms, the three stages, how long it lasts, and when to see a doctor.
Read the guideFrozen Shoulder Embolization: Am I a Candidate?
Who may be a candidate for frozen shoulder embolization, who should not have it, and what doctors check first. Honest guidance on early evidence from Dr. Fox.
Read the guideIs Shoulder Embolization Painful? What to Expect
Is shoulder embolization painful? What patients typically feel before, during, and after the procedure, how long soreness lasts, and when to call the doctor.
Read the guideShoulder Embolization Recovery Timeline: Week by Week
A week-by-week shoulder embolization recovery timeline based on published studies: early night-pain relief, side effects, physical therapy, and 6-month results.
Read the guideShoulder Embolization Risks and Side Effects
Shoulder embolization risks and side effects from published studies: common mild effects, rare serious events, how often they occur, and when to get help.
Read the guideShoulder Embolization Research and Success Rates
What studies show about shoulder embolization success rates for frozen shoulder, how success is measured, the limits of the evidence, and trials underway.
Read the guideHow Long Does Shoulder Embolization Last?
How long shoulder embolization relief lasts: what studies with up to 3 years of follow-up show, why some patients need a repeat, and what is still unknown.
Read the guideIs Shoulder Embolization Covered by Insurance?
Is shoulder embolization covered by insurance? How plans decide, what published policies say about joint embolization, prior authorization, and appeals.
Read the guideShoulder Embolization vs Surgery for Frozen Shoulder
Shoulder embolization vs manipulation under anesthesia and arthroscopic capsular release: how each works, what trials show, risks, and who fits which option.
Read the guideShoulder Embolization vs Cortisone Shots and Hydrodilatation
Shoulder embolization vs cortisone injections and hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder: what each does, what studies show, and how they are used in sequence.
Read the guideShoulder Embolization vs Physical Therapy
Shoulder embolization vs physical therapy for frozen shoulder: what each does, what studies show, how they work together, and when adding embolization may help.
Read the guideShoulder Embolization Consultation: What to Bring and Ask
Prepare for a shoulder embolization consultation: what to bring, what happens at the visit, and questions to ask about candidacy, evidence, safety, and cost.
Read the guideElbow
Elbow pain: tennis and golfer’s elbow embolization
For tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow and other chronic tendon pain.
Tennis Elbow Embolization in Manhattan, NYC
Tennis and golfer's elbow embolization in Manhattan: how it works, what early research shows, who may qualify, risks, recovery and insurance, by Dr. David Fox.
Read the guideTennis Elbow: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
What causes tennis elbow, who gets it, common symptoms, how doctors diagnose it with exams and imaging, look-alike conditions, and when to see a doctor soon.
Read the guideLateral Epicondylitis Treatment in NYC: What the Evidence Says
Lateral epicondylitis is the medical name for tennis elbow. See what each treatment does and does not do, how rarely surgery is needed, and newer options.
Read the guideGolfer's Elbow Embolization: What the Evidence Shows
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) embolization: what the small studies show, why evidence is thinner than for tennis elbow, who may qualify, and recovery.
Read the guideAm I a Candidate for Tennis Elbow Embolization?
Who may qualify for tennis or golfer's elbow embolization, who should not have it, and what to try first. Criteria drawn from the published studies, by Dr. Fox.
Read the guideIs Tennis Elbow Embolization Painful? What to Expect
What tennis elbow embolization feels like before, during and after: numbing, the catheter, dye warmth, post-procedure soreness, and when to call the doctor.
Read the guideTennis Elbow Embolization Recovery Timeline
Week-by-week and month-by-month recovery after tennis or golfer's elbow embolization, from published studies: the sore first week, return to work, and results.
Read the guideTennis Elbow Embolization Risks and Side Effects
Risks and side effects of tennis elbow embolization: pain flares, bruising, skin changes, rare catheter risks, who should avoid it, and when to get help.
Read the guideTennis Elbow Embolization: Research and Success Rates
What studies show about tennis and golfer's elbow embolization: success rates, how long results last, repeat treatments, and why the evidence is still early.
Read the guideIs Tennis Elbow Embolization Covered by Insurance?
How insurance generally treats tennis elbow embolization, what Aetna and UnitedHealthcare policies say, what to ask your plan, and how we check benefits.
Read the guideTennis Elbow Embolization vs. Surgery
Tennis elbow embolization vs. surgery: how each works, recovery, risks, and what the research shows, including a placebo-surgery trial. A balanced guide.
Read the guideTennis Elbow Embolization vs. Cortisone and PRP Shots
Embolization vs. cortisone and PRP injections for tennis elbow: what randomized trials and Cochrane reviews show, short vs. long-term relief, and who fits each.
Read the guideTennis Elbow Embolization vs. Physical Therapy and Bracing
How embolization compares with physical therapy and bracing for tennis elbow: what trials show for each, when to look beyond therapy, and how they fit together.
Read the guideElbow Embolization for Athletes and Manual Workers
Elbow embolization for athletes, tradespeople and manual workers: what studies show, planning time off, return to sport and work, and protecting your elbow.
Read the guideTennis Elbow Embolization Consultation Guide
How to prepare for a tennis or golfer's elbow embolization consultation in Manhattan: what to bring, what the visit involves, and the questions worth asking.
Read the guideTendonitis Embolization: Elbow, Achilles and Other Tendons
Tendonitis embolization in NYC treats chronic tendon pain and inflammation with a minimally invasive approach to restore function without surgery.
Read the guideSports Injury Treatment in Manhattan
Sports injury treatment in NYC uses minimally invasive techniques to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and help you return to activity without surgery.
Read the guideHip
Hip pain: hip embolization
For chronic hip pain from arthritis, tendonitis or bursitis.
Hip Embolization in Manhattan
Hip embolization in NYC treats chronic hip pain and inflammation with a minimally invasive approach, improving mobility without surgery.
Read the guideHip Pain Causes: Arthritis, Bursitis or Tendinopathy?
Common causes of chronic hip pain: osteoarthritis, trochanteric bursitis and gluteal tendinopathy, back-related pain, how each is diagnosed, and warning signs.
Read the guideHip Arthritis Treatment in NYC: What Guidelines Recommend
Hip arthritis symptoms, diagnosis, what current guidelines recommend and advise against, how hip replacement timing is decided, and where embolization fits.
Read the guideAm I a Candidate for Hip Embolization? Who It May Suit
Who may be a candidate for hip embolization, who is not, and when hip replacement is the better path. Based on the small studies published through 2026.
Read the guideIs Hip Embolization Painful? What to Expect
What hip embolization feels like: local numbing, what you may sense during the procedure, soreness afterward, and when to call. Based on published hip studies.
Read the guideHip Embolization Recovery Timeline: Day 1 to 12 Months
A realistic hip embolization recovery timeline: the first day, week one, the first three months and 12-month results, based on small published hip studies.
Read the guideHip Embolization Risks and Side Effects
Hip embolization risks and side effects reported in published studies, risks specific to the hip such as nerve irritation, and warning signs to watch for.
Read the guideHip Embolization Research: What the Studies Show (2026)
Hip embolization research through October 2026: eight small studies, encouraging early results, no placebo-controlled trials yet, and the trials now underway.
Read the guideIs Hip Embolization Covered by Insurance?
How insurers view hip embolization in 2026, what Aetna, Cigna, Anthem and UnitedHealthcare policies say, and steps to check your own coverage before treatment.
Read the guideHip Embolization vs. Hip Replacement and Injections
Hip embolization compared with exercise therapy, injections and hip replacement: guideline status, strength of evidence, how long relief lasts and recovery.
Read the guideHip Pain Treatment Without Surgery
Hip pain treatment in NYC uses minimally invasive methods to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve mobility without surgery.
Read the guideHand
Hand and finger pain: hand arthritis embolization
For osteoarthritis pain in the fingers and at the base of the thumb.
Hand and Finger Arthritis Embolization in Manhattan, NYC
Hand and finger arthritis embolization in Manhattan: how it works, what five small early studies show, who may qualify, risks, off-label status and insurance.
Read the guideHand Osteoarthritis: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
What hand and finger osteoarthritis is, which joints it affects, how it differs from rheumatoid arthritis, how it is diagnosed and when to see a doctor.
Read the guideHand Arthritis Treatment Without Surgery: Guideline Steps
The non-surgical treatment ladder for hand arthritis: splints, hand therapy, NSAIDs and steroid injections, what the 2026 ACR update changed, and what to skip.
Read the guideThumb Arthritis Embolization: Basal Joint (CMC) Evidence
Embolization for basal thumb (CMC) arthritis: standard care per guidelines, what two small studies of 31 and 14 patients show, and where thumb surgery fits.
Read the guideAm I a Candidate for Hand Arthritis Embolization?
Who was treated in the hand arthritis embolization studies, who was kept out, and when splints, injections or surgery are the better path. Evidence to 2026.
Read the guideIs Hand Arthritis Embolization Painful? What to Expect
What hand arthritis embolization involved in published studies: wrist artery access, local anesthesia, how long it took, the temporary pale hand, going home.
Read the guideHand Arthritis Embolization Recovery Timeline: The Data
A study-by-study timeline after hand arthritis embolization: when pain relief was measured, response rates, second sessions, and how results held to 24 months.
Read the guideHand Arthritis Embolization Risks and Side Effects
Reported side effects of hand arthritis embolization, what the studies leave out, the finger blood-flow concern, off-label status, and when to call a doctor.
Read the guideHand Arthritis Embolization Research: What Studies Show
A study-by-study look at hand arthritis embolization research: five small uncontrolled series, 204 patients, results at each time point and what is missing.
Read the guideIs Hand Arthritis Embolization Covered by Insurance?
We found no insurer policy that names hand or finger embolization. See what payer documents say about joint embolization, what off-label means and what to ask.
Read the guideHand Arthritis Embolization vs Injections and Surgery
How embolization for hand arthritis compares with steroid injections and surgery: evidence, recovery and downsides. No study has compared them head to head.
Read the guideNext steps
Coverage and your first visit
How coverage works and what happens at a consultation.
Insurance Coverage Guide
How insurance coverage works for varicose and spider vein treatment, GAE for knee pain and PFE for heel pain, plus what to expect at your first visit to Fox Vein Care in Manhattan.
Read the guidePlantar Fasciitis Embolization Consultation: What to Expect
Wondering what happens at a PFE consultation? Learn what Dr. Fox reviews, what imaging you may need, and how you will know if PFE is right for you.
Read the guidePlantar Fasciitis Embolization Referral Guide
A clinical guide for podiatrists and orthopedic specialists on when and how to refer chronic plantar fasciitis patients for embolization.
Read the guideIs it right for me?
Is embolization right for me?
Often a good fit
- You have had joint or tendon pain for several months or longer in the knee, heel, shoulder, elbow, hip or hand.
- You have already given standard care a fair try, such as exercise, physical therapy, medicines, bracing, orthotics or injections.
- Your diagnosis has been confirmed, and imaging fits one of the conditions embolization has been studied for.
- You want a minimally invasive option before considering surgery, or surgery is not a good option for you right now.
- You understand that results vary, that research outside the knee is early, and that a repeat or other treatment may still be needed.
Usually not the right choice
- Your pain is new or you have not yet tried conservative treatment.
- Your pain comes from something embolization does not treat, such as a fracture, a nerve problem, a joint infection or a recent injury.
- You have an active infection.
- You have health issues that make an artery procedure riskier, such as poor circulation in the legs, kidney disease or a past serious reaction to X-ray contrast dye. Dr. Fox reviews these with you.
- You expect embolization to rebuild a worn joint or fix a torn tendon. It aims to reduce pain, not repair structure.
If a joint suddenly becomes hot, red and swollen, especially with a fever, or you cannot put weight on a leg after an injury, or a hand or foot turns cold, pale or numb, get urgent medical care instead of booking a consultation.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is musculoskeletal embolization?
It is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces blood flow through small abnormal blood vessels around a painful joint or tendon. A doctor reaches the area with a thin catheter through an artery and uses live X-ray to guide tiny particles to those vessels. The goal is to reduce the inflammation that keeps the pain going.
Is embolization surgery?
It is not open surgery. There is no large incision and the joint itself is not opened. It is a catheter procedure done through a small needle puncture in an artery, and for the knee it is described as a same-day procedure with local anesthetic or light sedation.
Does embolization hurt?
The puncture site is numbed, and published patient guidance for knee embolization describes local anesthetic or light sedation. Afterward, mild soreness or bruising where the catheter went in is common. Dr. Fox will explain how comfort is managed for your procedure.
How long is recovery?
Most people go home the same day and return to light activity soon after. Pain relief is usually gradual. In studies of the shoulder and heel, many patients noticed improvement within days to weeks, with further gains over several months. Your return to sports or heavy work depends on the area treated and your progress.
What are the risks?
In published studies, most side effects were minor and temporary, such as bruising at the puncture site or short-lived skin discoloration over the treated area. Less common risks include bleeding, infection, injury to a blood vessel or nerve, and particles reaching nearby skin, which can rarely cause a sore. No procedure is free of risk.
Does insurance cover embolization?
Coverage depends on your plan. Some insurers' published policies currently list knee embolization as experimental or investigational, and embolization for other joints is newer still. Check with your plan before treatment; Dr. Fox's office can help you understand your benefits.
How do I know which area to treat?
Start with where the pain is and what is causing it. Each area treats specific conditions, such as knee arthritis, plantar fasciitis or frozen shoulder. Dr. Fox confirms the diagnosis with an exam and imaging before recommending embolization for any area.
Can more than one area be treated?
Published studies generally report on one area at a time, so there is little research on treating several. If you have pain in more than one place, Dr. Fox evaluates each area separately and discusses whether, and when, each one should be treated.
Sources
Research behind this guide
- Ahmed O, Padia SA et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2026 — SIR position statement on genicular artery embolization
- Society of Interventional Radiology, 2026 — New SIR position statement on genicular artery embolization
- Bagla S et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2022 — Multicenter randomized sham-controlled study of GAE (21 patients)
- van Zadelhoff TA et al., BMJ Open, 2024 — GAE versus sham embolisation: randomised controlled trial (58 patients)
- van Zadelhoff TA et al., Eur Radiol, 2026 — 12-month outcomes of the GAE sham-controlled trial
- Milhem F et al., J Orthop, 2025 — Systematic review of sham-controlled GAE trials
- Cusumano LR, Padia SA et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2024 — GAE 2-year outcomes from a prospective IDE trial
- British Society of Interventional Radiology — Genicular artery embolisation patient information
- Sasaki T et al., Foot Ankle Surg, 2025 — Embolization for plantar fasciitis: 66 cases
- Gill S et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2026 — Embolization for plantar heel pain: prospective case series
- Kumar N et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2026 — Embolization for refractory plantar fasciitis (12 patients)
- Tonkaz M et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2026 — Predicting response after embolization for plantar fasciitis (≥6 months of failed care)
- Okuno Y et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2017 — Embolization for adhesive capsulitis resistant to conservative treatment
- Okuno Y et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2022 — Embolization for refractory nighttime shoulder pain: multicenter feasibility trial (100 patients)
- Bagla S et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2022 — US investigational device study of adhesive capsulitis embolization
- Allaw S et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2026 — Embolization for adhesive capsulitis: systematic review and meta-analysis
- Iwamoto W et al., J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 2017 — Embolization for lateral epicondylitis: pilot study with 2-year follow-up
- Lee JH et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2022 — Embolization for chronic medial epicondylitis
- Correa MP et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2022 — Embolization for hip osteoarthritis and greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- Cavalheiro F et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2026 — HipE study: hip embolization, 12-month follow-up
- Fleckenstein FN et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2026 — Embolization for symptomatic hip osteoarthritis
- Feier AM et al., J Clin Med, 2026 — Periarticular embolization for surgery-ineligible hip osteoarthritis
- Feier AM et al., Cureus, 2025 — Hip embolization via brachial access in elderly patients: pilot study (18 patients)
- Sajan A et al., AJR Am J Roentgenol, 2025 — Transarterial embolization for musculoskeletal pain: expert panel review
- Pelage JP et al., CVIR Endovasc, 2026 — Transarterial embolization in musculoskeletal care: indication-stratified review
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Medical Policy SUR705.048, 2025 — Genicular artery embolization
- Inui S, Okuno Y et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2021: imipenem/cilastatin infusion for thumb-base osteoarthritis (31 patients)
- Liang KW et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2023: imipenem/cilastatin infusion for finger joint osteoarthritis pain (58 patients)
- Kubo T, Okuno Y et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2023: temporary embolic injection for finger joint osteoarthritis (92 patients)
- Lee SY et al., Diagn Interv Radiol, 2024: transarterial embolization for hand osteoarthritis (9 patients)
- Konduru N et al., Hand (N Y), 2026: transarterial embolization in hand osteoarthritis (14 patients)
Speak with a specialist
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This page brings together general information from our articles and is not a substitute for a medical evaluation. Dr. Fox will recommend a treatment plan based on your individual needs.