A Non-Surgical, Image-Guided Treatment for Long-Standing Joint Pain
Chronic joint pain can affect walking, daily activities, sleep, and overall quality of life. When medicines, physiotherapy, or injections stop working, Trans-arterial Microembolization (TAME) offers a modern, minimally invasive, non-surgical option to reduce pain and inflammation—without joint replacement surgery.
Trans-arterial Microembolization (TAME) is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to treat chronic joint pain by targeting abnormal inflammatory blood vessels around painful joints.
By blocking these tiny abnormal vessels:
No open surgery
No joint replacement
No stitches or scars
Faster recovery
Chronic joint pain refers to joint pain lasting more than 3 months and not responding well to routine treatments.
Common causes include:
Commonly affected joints:
In chronic pain, abnormal new blood vessels form around the joint, increasing inflammation and pain. TAME directly targets these vessels.
The procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist using live X-ray guidance.
Step-by-step process:
Trans-arterial microembolization is generally very safe when performed by experienced specialists. Most side effects are mild and temporary.
Possible risks with approximate incidence include:
Treatment options for chronic joint pain depend on:
Often, a combination of treatments is used to achieve better pain control.
Alternative 1: Pain Medications
Alternative 2: Physical Therapy
Alternative 3: Acupuncture
Alternative 4: Steroid Injections
Alternative 5: Joint Surgery or Joint Replacement
Choosing the Right Joint Pain Treatment
Every patient’s condition is unique. A detailed assessment helps identify the most effective, safest, and least invasive treatment option, based on symptoms, health status, and recovery goals.
📌 Compared to surgery, microembolization is non-surgical, repeatable, and joint-preserving.
Recovery is usually quick and smooth.
After the procedure:
Many patients report significant pain relief and improved mobility.
Trans-arterial Microembolization (TAME) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for chronic joint pain. It reduces pain by blocking tiny abnormal blood vessels that cause inflammation around painful joints.
TAME is commonly used for chronic pain in the:
It is especially helpful when pain does not improve with medicines or injections.
You may be suitable if you have:
Yes. TAME is a safe and well-studied procedure when performed by experienced interventional radiologists. Serious complications are very rare.
Clinical studies show that 70–85% of patients experience significant pain reduction and improved joint function after TAME.
Many patients notice pain relief within 1–3 weeks, with continued improvement over the next 1–3 months.
TAME does not cure arthritis, but it reduces inflammation and pain, helping patients move better and improve daily activities.
The procedure itself is not painful as it is done under local anesthesia. Mild joint soreness or discomfort may occur for a few days after treatment.
Recovery is quick:
TAME is not a replacement for joint replacement in advanced disease, but it is an excellent option to delay or avoid surgery in selected patients.
Yes. Trans-arterial Microembolization can be safely repeated if pain returns or if further relief is needed.
No. It is usually a day-care procedure, and most patients go home the same day.
Yes. TAME is available in specialized centers across India and is performed by trained interventional radiologists.
You should consider TAME if:
Non-surgical pain treatment
No joint replacement
No scars or stitches
Performed under local anesthesia
Faster recovery than surgery
Preserves natural joint
If chronic joint pain is limiting your movement, independence, or lifestyle, you don’t have to wait for surgery.
