📖 Musculoskeletal embolization
Musculoskeletal embolization targets pathological neovascularisation — abnormal new blood vessels that develop in painful joints and tendons, accompanied by nerve fibres that transmit pain signals. By selectively embolizing these micro-vessels with calibrated microspheres (75–150 µm), the inflammatory pain cycle is interrupted without affecting normal tissue.
This technique, pioneered by Professor Okuno (Japan), is offered at Cochin AP-HP for chronic pain of the knee (osteoarthritis), shoulder (frozen shoulder/capsulitis), ankle, wrist, and tendinopathies (tennis elbow, Achilles), all refractory to conventional treatment.
🎯 Applications
🦵 Knee (genicular artery embolization)
Grade II–III osteoarthritis. 70–80% pain reduction at 3–6 months. Alternative to or bridge before total knee replacement.
💪 Shoulder (frozen shoulder/capsulitis)
Capsulitis refractory to physiotherapy and injections. 70–80% pain reduction with restored mobility.
🦶 Ankle (arthritis/tendinopathy)
Tibiotalar osteoarthritis, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis refractory to standard treatment.
🤲 Wrist/elbow
Radiocarpal arthritis, de Quervain tenosynovitis, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) — refractory to injections and physiotherapy.
🔗 Related pages
🇫🇷 French version: embolisation-articulations-inflammatoires.html