Hip Artery Embolization

Hip pain can make everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, exercising, or getting a good night’s sleep challenging. Hip artery embolization (HAE) is an innovative, minimally invasive treatment designed to relieve chronic hip pain caused by osteoarthritis and other inflammatory hip conditions.

If you’ve tried medications, injections, or physical therapy without lasting relief, this advanced procedure may help reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and potentially delay the need for hip replacement surgery.

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What is Hip artery embolization?

Hip artery embolization (HAE) is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that treats chronic hip pain by targeting abnormal blood vessels associated with inflammation inside and around the hip joint.

In patients with hip osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint conditions, inflammation can stimulate the growth of abnormal blood vessels within the joint lining and surrounding tissues. These vessels contribute to ongoing inflammation and pain. Hip artery embolization works by selectively reducing blood flow to these abnormal vessels while preserving circulation to healthy tissues.

By decreasing inflammation within the hip joint, HAE may help reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life for patients seeking alternatives to surgery. Because HAE directly targets inflammation, it addresses a potential source of pain rather than simply masking symptoms.

Who is a candidate for Hip artery embolization?

HAE may be an option if you:

Have hip pain caused by osteoarthritis or after joint replacement surgery
Experience chronic hip pain that interferes with daily activities
Have tried medications, injections, or physical therapy with limited success
Want to avoid or delay hip replacement surgery
Are not a candidate for surgery due to medical conditions
Continue to have symptoms despite ongoing treatment

The specialists at Twin Cities Pain Clinic will review your medical history, symptoms, and imaging studies to determine whether Hip artery embolization may be a suitable treatment option.

What to expect during the procedure

Hip artery embolization is performed in a specialized procedure suite using advanced imaging guidance.

You will lie comfortably on an exam table while your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels are monitored throughout the procedure.

After cleaning the skin and administering a local anesthetic, a small catheter is inserted into an artery through a tiny access point, usually in the leg. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure.

Using fluoroscopic X-ray guidance, your physician will navigate the catheter to the blood vessels supplying the inflamed portions of the hip joint. Once the abnormal vessels are identified, embolic particles are delivered to reduce excess blood flow and associated inflammation.

At the conclusion of the procedure, the catheter is removed and pressure is applied to the insertion site.

Most patients return home the same day.

What to expect after the procedure

Patients are typically observed in a recovery area for a short period before being discharged.
Recovery expectations include:

Mild soreness at the catheter insertion site
Temporary discomfort in the hip during the healing process
Minimal activity restrictions for several days
Gradual return to normal daily activities
Continued improvement in pain and mobility over several weeks

Many patients begin noticing improvements within a few weeks as inflammation decreases. Results vary depending on the severity of arthritis and individual patient factors.
Because no muscles, tendons, or bone structures are surgically altered, recovery is generally much quicker than traditional hip surgery.

Benefits of Hip artery embolization

Potential benefits of HAE include:

Minimally invasive outpatient procedure
Reduced hip pain
Improved mobility and range of motion
Increased ability to participate in daily activities
Reduced inflammation within the joint
Minimal downtime and recovery
Potential delay of hip replacement surgery
Reduced dependence on pain medications

Hip artery embolization at Twin Cities Pain Clinic

If chronic hip pain is affecting your mobility and quality of life, Hip artery embolization may offer a new treatment option that can help you return to the activities you enjoy.

Our experienced interventional pain specialists utilize advanced image-guided techniques to precisely target inflammation and provide effective, minimally invasive care.

Contact Twin Cities Pain Clinic today today to learn more about Hip artery embolization and schedule your consultation.