Angioembolization in the management of joint pain: current concepts.

ABSTRACT

Joint pain is a common complaint owing to its origin in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. Recent research has helped narrow down inadequate angiogenesis as one of the causes. Angioembolization has emerged as a treatment option for this condition when it is refractory to conservative treatment. This review describes angioembolization by elaborating on the mechanism, safety, efficacy, comparative analysis of treatment and the road ahead, in addition to summarizing the existing data on this treatment. The inferences from this review further consolidate transcatheter arterial embolization as one of the prime options for managing joint pain when it is refractory to conservative treatment and label it as one of the most exciting prospects. A limitation of this review is that most of the data were from open label case series or case reports.