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Hôpital Cochin – Port-Royal · AP-HP · Université Paris Cité
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🏥 Reference centre · Paris 14th

🤲 Centre — Inflammatory Wrist Embolization — Cochin AP-HP Paris

Refractory tenosynovitis · Radiocarpal arthritis · Synovial neovascularization · Outpatient · Paris

Quick answer

The Inflammatory Wrist Embolization Centre at Cochin AP-HP treats refractory tenosynovitis and chronic radiocarpal arthritis with joint embolization, targeting the pathological neovascularization responsible for the pain, without surgery.

Inflammatory wrist centre at Cochin AP-HP

The Inflammatory Wrist Embolization Centre at Cochin AP-HP offers percutaneous treatment for refractory tenosynovitis and chronic radiocarpal arthritis using joint embolization. This technique targets the pathological synovial neovascularization responsible for chronic wrist inflammation and pain.

Offered after medical treatments have failed (NSAIDs, injections, physiotherapy), embolization is performed under local anaesthesia, on an outpatient basis, via the right femoral approach. A validated technique for inflammatory wrist conditions that have failed other treatment.

Indications

  • Resistant chronic tenosynovitis of the wrist flexors or extensors
  • De Quervain's disease resistant to injections
  • Chronic radiocarpal arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, post-traumatic)
  • Wrist synovitis with neovascularization confirmed on Doppler ultrasound
  • Failure of ≥ 2 guided injections and physiotherapy

Techniques

🩸 Wrist joint embolization

Selective catheterization of the radial and ulnar arteries and their synovial branches via the right femoral approach. Injection of 75–150 µm microspheres targeting the pathological neovascularization. Lasting reduction of the synovitis.

🔬 Wrist Doppler ultrasound

Confirmation of synovial or peritendinous neovascularization before the procedure (power Doppler flow). Can also guide complementary injections (corticosteroid, PRP).

💉 Complementary guided injection

Corticosteroid or PRP injection into the tendon sheath or radiocarpal joint under ultrasound guidance, alongside embolization.

🩻 Prior wrist MRI

Wrist MRI for a complete lesion assessment (synovitis, effusion, tendinopathy, cartilage damage) and treatment planning.

Results

65–75%
Pain improvement
Outpatient
Same-day discharge
< 48h
Resume activity

Frequently asked questions

Which wrist conditions are suitable for embolization?
Chronic inflammatory wrist pain (synovitis, certain early-stage arthritis) that resists conservative treatment can benefit from this minimally invasive technique.
Does the procedure affect wrist mobility?
No, embolization targets the pathological synovial vascularization without affecting the joint structures themselves; mobility is not altered by the procedure.
How long does the procedure take?
Embolization generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes, performed on an outpatient basis under local anaesthesia.

Musculoskeletal pain: the Cochin PRM department

Not every musculoskeletal pain condition falls under interventional radiology. The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PRM) department at Hôpital Cochin, led by Pr François Rannou, manages the medical treatment of musculoskeletal disorders: low back pain, neck pain, disc herniation, arthritis, lumbar spinal stenosis, scoliosis, shoulder conditions, sports trauma, as well as inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

The department has a comprehensive technical platform (balneotherapy, musculoskeletal ultrasound, movement analysis, occupational therapy, podiatry) and offers consultations in physical medicine, sports medicine, manual medicine and rheumatology, as well as spinal injections. Complex cases are discussed at medico-surgical meetings.

PRM secretariat: +33 1 58 41 25 87 · Bâtiment Hardy B, Hôpital Cochin, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris

Related pages

Scientific references

Genicular artery embolization for knee osteoarthritis: results of the LipioJoint-1 trial

Sapoval M, Querub C, Pereira H, Pellerin O, Boeken T, Di Gaeta A, et al. Diagn Interv Imaging 2024;105(4):144-150.

Society of Interventional Radiology Research Reporting Standards for Genicular Artery Embolization

J Vasc Interv Radiol 2024.

Why this page is trustworthy

Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Hôpital Cochin AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist from the department. Last updated: July 2026.

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