What Is Transarterial Embolization (TAE)?
Transarterial embolization (TAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that treats chronic lateral hip pain by targeting abnormal blood vessels that contribute to inflammation around the greater trochanter.
TAE is primarily used for patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), gluteal tendinopathy, or peritrochanteric inflammation whose symptoms have not improved with conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, injections, or shockwave therapy. It may also be considered for patients who want to avoid or delay surgery.
How Does TAE Work?
Chronic tendon conditions can be associated with the growth of abnormal blood vessels, known as neovessels, within damaged tissue. These abnormal blood vessels may contribute to persistent inflammation and pain. TAE works by reducing blood flow to these abnormal vessels while preserving blood flow to healthy surrounding tissues.
By targeting the abnormal vascular network, TAE is designed to decrease inflammation, reduce pain signals, and help interrupt the cycle of chronic lateral hip pain.
Who Can Benefit
You may be a candidate for transarterial embolization if you:
- Have experienced lateral hip pain for at least three months.
- Have pain that interferes with sleep, exercise, work, or daily activities.
- Have not achieved adequate relief with physical therapy, medications, steroid injections, or shockwave therapy.
- Have been diagnosed with greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS).
- Have gluteal tendinopathy or peritrochanteric inflammation identified on MRI or ultrasound.
- Want to avoid surgery or are not a candidate for surgery.
An interventional radiologist will review your symptoms, imaging studies, treatment history, and overall health to determine whether TAE is appropriate for your condition.
What to Expect
Before the procedure
Before treatment, you will meet with an interventional radiologist for a comprehensive evaluation. Your physician will review:
- Your medical history
- Previous treatments
- Laboratory testing
- MRI or ultrasound imaging
- The duration and severity of your symptoms
Your doctor will discuss the potential benefits and risks of treatment and determine whether TAE is an appropriate option.
During the procedure
TAE is typically performed using local anesthesia and light sedation. During the procedure:
- A small catheter is inserted through the wrist (radial artery) or groin (femoral artery).
- Advanced imaging is used to guide the catheter to the lateral femoral circumflex artery and its branches.
- The interventional radiologist identifies areas of abnormal blood flow around the greater trochanter.
- Tiny particles are delivered through the catheter to temporarily block the abnormal blood vessels associated with pain and inflammation.
The procedure is performed through a small access site and does not require open surgery.
After the procedure
Most patients return home the same day. Because TAE is minimally invasive, recovery is generally straightforward. Many patients begin to notice improvement in pain within the first few weeks after treatment, while function and mobility often continue to improve over the following months.
Your physician will provide individualized guidance regarding activity progression and physical therapy after treatment.
Benefits of TAE for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Clinical studies report meaningful improvements in pain, mobility, and function following treatment.
Reduced Hip Pain
Patients treated with TAE have reported significant reductions in pain scores during follow-up. Clinical studies demonstrated meaningful pain improvement for patients with refractory GTPS.
Improved Function and Mobility
Many patients experience improvement in daily activities, walking tolerance, physical function, and stiffness following treatment. Functional outcome measures reported in clinical studies showed substantial improvement during follow-up periods.
High Rates of Clinical Improvement
A majority of patients achieved meaningful clinical improvement following treatment, including significant reductions in pain and functional limitations.
Minimally Invasive Alternative to Surgery
TAE is performed through a small catheter rather than a surgical incision. Most patients return home the same day without stitches, large incisions, or general anesthesia.
May Benefit Patients With GTPS and Hip Osteoarthritis
Patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome and those with associated hip osteoarthritis have experienced similar treatment outcomes, suggesting that TAE may be beneficial in both groups.
Risks and Side Effects
TAE has demonstrated a favorable safety profile in clinical studies. Reported side effects were generally minor and temporary and included:
- Small bruises at the catheter insertion site
- Temporary thigh numbness
- Temporary skin discoloration near the treatment area
Your physician will review the potential risks and benefits of treatment during your consultation.
How Long Does Recovery Take After TAE?
Recovery varies from patient to patient. Many patients notice improvement within the first few weeks after treatment. Functional improvement and increased mobility may continue over the following months as inflammation decreases and recovery progresses.
Your physician will provide personalized recommendations regarding physical therapy, exercise, and return to activity.
Why Choose UHealth for Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome Treatment?
Chronic lateral hip pain can affect sleep, mobility, exercise, work, and everyday activities. At UHealth, patients receive comprehensive evaluation and minimally invasive treatment from specialists experienced in treating greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS), gluteal tendinopathy, and other causes of persistent pain on the outer side of the hip.
Our goal is to identify the source of your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan designed to reduce pain, improve function, and help you return to the activities that matter most to you.
Expertise in Minimally Invasive, Image-Guided Treatment. UHealth's Interventional Radiology team specializes in minimally invasive procedures that target the source of chronic pain. Using advanced imaging technology, our physicians can identify abnormal blood vessels, inflamed tissues, and pain-transmitting nerves that may be contributing to lateral hip pain. These image-guided procedures allow for precise treatment while minimizing disruption to surrounding healthy structures.
Personalized Care for Chronic Hip Pain. Greater trochanteric pain syndrome can have multiple causes. Some patients experience pain related to gluteal tendinopathy, while others may have peritrochanteric inflammation, iliotibial band irritation, or pain arising from multiple sources. Our team reviews your symptoms, medical history, previous treatments, and imaging studies to determine the most appropriate treatment strategy for your condition.
Multiple Minimally Invasive Treatment Options. UHealth offers several minimally invasive treatment options for chronic lateral hip pain, including transarterial embolization (TAE), diagnostic and therapeutic nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and cryoablation. Because these procedures address different causes of pain and inflammation, patients may benefit from a single treatment or a combination of therapies based on their diagnosis and treatment goals.
Advanced Evaluation and Treatment Planning. Successful treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. Before recommending treatment, your physician will review your medical history, prior therapies, and imaging studies such as MRI or ultrasound. This comprehensive evaluation helps determine whether symptoms are related to greater trochanteric pain syndrome, gluteal tendinopathy, peritrochanteric inflammation, or another condition affecting the lateral hip.
Focused on Improving Function and Quality of Life. Reducing pain is only one part of treatment. Our team focuses on helping patients improve mobility, participate more comfortably in physical therapy and exercise, sleep with less discomfort, and return to daily activities that chronic hip pain may have limited.
Minimally Invasive Alternatives to Surgery. Many patients seek treatment because conservative therapies have not provided adequate relief and they want to avoid surgery. Minimally invasive procedures such as TAE, nerve blocks, and nerve ablation are performed through small needles or catheters rather than large surgical incisions. Most patients return home the same day and can resume activities based on their physician's recommendations.
Take the Next Step
If chronic lateral hip pain is affecting your sleep, mobility, exercise routine, or quality of life, a minimally invasive treatment may be an option. Schedule a consultation with a UHealth interventional radiologist to learn whether transarterial embolization (TAE), a nerve block, or nerve ablation may be appropriate for your condition.
Questions? We're here to help.
Our appointment specialists are ready to help you find what you need. Contact us today.