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What it is
Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) — also called musculoskeletal embolization — is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for chronic joint and tendon pain. Many stubborn pain conditions, including frozen shoulder and rotator cuff tendinopathy, hip osteoarthritis and greater trochanteric (outer hip) pain, and plantar fasciitis, are driven by abnormal new blood vessels that grow around inflamed tissue and feed ongoing inflammation. Using a catheter about the size of a pen tip, our interventional radiologist navigates to those abnormal vessels and blocks them with microscopic particles — the same principle behind genicular artery embolization (GAE) for knee pain, applied to the shoulder, hip, elbow, and foot.
02
Who it's for
TAE is an option for patients with shoulder, hip, elbow, or heel pain (plantar fasciitis) that has lasted three months or more despite conservative care — physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, orthotics, or steroid injections. It is especially attractive for patients who want to avoid surgery or aren’t surgical candidates, and for athletes and active adults who can’t afford a long recovery. A consultation with imaging review determines whether abnormal vascularity is contributing to your pain and whether TAE is appropriate for you.
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What to expect
The procedure is performed at our Scottsdale office under local anesthesia with mild sedation — no general anesthesia. Through a single pinhole puncture in the wrist or groin, a thin catheter is guided with real-time X-ray imaging to the arteries supplying the painful area. Microscopic particles are injected to shut down the abnormal inflammatory vessels while preserving healthy circulation. Most TAE procedures take about one to two hours, and you go home the same day.
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Recovery
There is no incision to heal — most patients are back to normal daily activities within a day or two, with no restrictions on weight-bearing. Pain relief typically builds gradually over two to six weeks as the inflammation quiets down. Published studies of musculoskeletal embolization report meaningful, durable pain reduction in a majority of well-selected patients, and the procedure does not close the door on surgery later if it’s ever needed.
Watch
Watch the procedure
A short walkthrough of how this procedure works, from our physicians at IYA Medical.