Every medical procedure carries some risk, and hip embolization is no exception. The good news from published studies is that reported side effects have mostly been minor and short-lived. The important caveat is that hip embolization has been studied in relatively few people, so uncommon complications may not have shown up yet. This article lays out what has been reported, the risks that are specific to the hip, and the warning signs to watch for. For a general overview of the procedure, see our hip embolization page.
What the hip studies have reported
Here are the side effects described in the published hip embolization studies we reviewed:
| Study | Patients | Side effects reported |
|---|---|---|
| HipE study, 2026 | 49 | 2 minor groin hematomas (bruise-like collections of blood under the skin) |
| Berlin study, 2026 | 41 | 3 cases of temporary skin discoloration over the hip, gone within 24 hours; no major or moderate events |
| Brazilian cohort, 2022 | 13 | 2 cases of numbness in the back of the thigh, resolved within 30 days; 1 small groin hematoma |
| Brazilian registry, 2025 | 31 | 2 cases of numbness in the back of the thigh, resolved within 30 days |
| Pilot study, 2025 | 18 | No adverse events |
| Comparison study, 2026 | 26 treated | Short-lived pain after the procedure and minor puncture-site hematomas; no major complications |
| Multi-joint study, 2026 | 42 (24 hip procedures) | 3 minor puncture-site complications across all joints; no skin injury, nerve injury or bone damage |
Across these studies, no serious complications were reported. That is reassuring, but it comes from a few hundred patients at specialized centers. A complication that happens to one person in several hundred could easily be missed.
Common, short-lived side effects
Bruising or a hematoma at the puncture site
This was the most frequently reported issue. Hip embolization is done through an artery in the groin or the arm, and a small amount of bleeding under the skin can cause a tender bruise or lump. In the studies above, these settled without treatment.
Soreness around the hip
Temporary aching after the procedure is expected. In a 2025 study of 431 patients treated in joints other than the hip, pain at the treated area that lasted more than a week occurred in roughly 6% to 22% of patients, depending on the embolic material. Hip-specific rates are not known. Our guide to what hip embolization feels like covers comfort in more detail.
Skin color change
Some embolic materials can briefly reduce blood flow to the skin over the hip, causing a blotchy or reddish patch. In the Berlin study, this happened in 7.3% of patients and faded within a day. A German review recommends steps such as cooling the skin during the procedure to reduce this risk.
Risks that are specific to the hip
Nerve irritation
Some small arteries near the hip also supply nearby nerves, including branches related to the sciatic nerve. In two Brazilian studies, a few patients developed numbness in the back of the thigh that the authors thought was due to embolic material reaching nerve branches. All cases improved on their own within 30 days. This is one reason some doctors keep patients awake, so they can report tingling or numbness during the procedure.
Blood supply to the ball of the hip
The head of the thigh bone, the ball of the hip joint, gets nearly all of its blood from small branches of the circumflex femoral arteries, the same family of vessels targeted in many hip embolizations. The Berlin authors noted that non-absorbing embolic particles carry a theoretical risk of cutting off that supply and causing bone death (osteonecrosis). For that reason, the hip studies have mostly used temporary materials that dissolve or break down. No clinically apparent osteonecrosis was reported in the Berlin study or the multi-joint study, but one early study noted that most patients did not have follow-up MRI to check for it. This is a real reason to choose an experienced operator.
Off-label materials
One commonly used temporary embolic agent is imipenem/cilastatin, an antibiotic that forms tiny crystals when mixed with contrast dye. A 2026 review notes that its use as an embolic is off-label in many settings. Ask your doctor which material they use and why.
Questions about your treatment options? Dr. Fox can help.
Book a ConsultationThis article is part of our Embolization Guide.
General risks of any catheter procedure
Because hip embolization uses an artery and X-ray imaging, it shares the general risks of other catheter-based procedures. These include bleeding or injury at the puncture site, damage to the artery, a blood clot, reaction to contrast dye, effects of contrast on the kidneys, infection at the puncture site, and exposure to radiation. These are uncommon, and your doctor should explain how they apply to you, especially if you have kidney disease or a contrast allergy.
Who may face higher risk
Several groups were excluded from hip studies, partly for safety. These included people with peripheral artery disease, bleeding or clotting disorders, active infection, known contrast allergy, or avascular necrosis of the hip. If any of these apply to you, embolization may not be appropriate. Our candidacy guide lists the exclusions in more detail.
The risk that it does not help
Not getting enough relief is a more likely outcome than a serious complication. In the Berlin study, about 64% of patients reached a meaningful pain improvement at 12 months, and in the HipE study 73% met that study's definition of success. That means roughly one in four to one in three patients did not. Because none of the hip studies compared embolization with a sham procedure, it is also hard to know how much of the improvement comes from the procedure itself. Our research summary explains this in plain terms.
Safety questions to ask your doctor
- How many hip embolizations have you performed, and what complications have you seen?
- Which embolic material will you use, and is it temporary?
- Will I be awake enough to report numbness or tingling during the procedure?
- Which artery will you use for access, and how will you close it?
- Do my kidney function, medicines or allergies change my risk?
- Will you check my hip with imaging afterward if my pain changes?
Warning signs after the procedure
Call your doctor promptly or seek urgent care if you notice:
- A growing, painful or pulsing lump at the puncture site, or bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure.
- A cold, pale, painful or numb leg, foot, arm or hand.
- Numbness or weakness in the leg that is getting worse rather than better.
- A dark, blistering or spreading skin change over the hip.
- Fever, chills, or redness and warmth at the puncture site.
- Sudden, severe hip pain or new trouble putting weight on the leg.
To learn how these risks compare with embolization in other joints, see our embolization guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hip embolization safe?
No serious complications were reported in the published hip studies, and most side effects were minor and temporary. The studies include only a few hundred patients, so rare risks are not fully known.
Can hip embolization damage the hip bone?
The ball of the hip joint depends on small arteries near the treatment area, so there is a theoretical risk of osteonecrosis, especially with non-absorbing particles. Hip studies mostly used temporary materials and did not report clinically apparent osteonecrosis, but long-term imaging data are limited.
What is the most common side effect of hip embolization?
Bruising or a small hematoma at the puncture site in the groin or arm was the most frequently reported side effect, and it settled without treatment in the studies.
Can hip embolization cause numbness?
In two small Brazilian studies, a few patients had numbness in the back of the thigh after the procedure, and all recovered within 30 days.
Keep Reading
- Hip Embolization in Manhattan
- Hip Embolization vs. Hip Replacement and Injections: An Honest Comparison
- What Is Causing Your Hip Pain? Arthritis, Bursitis and Tendinopathy Explained
- Is Hip Embolization Covered by Insurance?
- Is Hip Embolization Painful? What to Expect Before, During and After
- Hip Arthritis: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options
- Embolization Guide: knee, heel, shoulder, elbow and hip
Sources
- Cavalheiro, Marinho Lopes et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2026 — HipE study: hip embolization for hip OA and GTPS, 12-month follow-up
- Fleckenstein et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2026 — Transarterial embolization for symptomatic hip osteoarthritis (41 patients)
- Correa et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2022 — 6-month follow-up of lateral femoral circumflex artery embolization for hip OA and GTPS (13 patients)
- Giordani et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol, 2025 — Latino-Hip registry: midterm follow-up of embolization for GTPS (31 patients)
- Feier et al., Cureus, 2025 — Periarticular embolization via brachial access in older adults with hip OA: pilot study (18 patients)
- Feier, Bloj et al., J Clin Med, 2026 — Periarticular embolization vs conservative care in surgery-ineligible hip OA (prospective comparative study)
- Discalzi et al., Radiol Med, 2026 — FIRE-NEM: microembolization for refractory hip, knee and shoulder pain (42 patients)
- van Zadelhoff, Okuno et al., J Vasc Interv Radiol, 2025 — Safety of 3 temporary embolic agents in joint embolization (431 patients, non-hip joints)
- Can et al., Radiologie, 2026 — Transarterial periarticular embolization for chronic joint pain (review, German)
- Pelage et al., CVIR Endovascular, 2026 — Transarterial embolization in musculoskeletal care: indication-stratified narrative review
Medically reviewed by David Fox, MD, FACS, RPVI. This article is general information, not a substitute for a medical evaluation.
Living with joint or tendon pain that hasn’t improved? Schedule a consultation with Dr. David Fox at Fox Vein & Vascular in Manhattan to find out whether embolization is right for you. Call (212) 362-3470 or request an appointment online.
