Minimally invasive embolization treats severe knee pain in Taiwan

A 70-year-old shop owner in Taichung, Taiwan, has regained her ability to walk without pain thanks to a novel minimally invasive procedure for osteoarthritis. The woman, identified as Ms. Lai, had suffered from severe right knee pain for nearly a year, a condition exacerbated by her work involving frequent heavy lifting.

Her pain was so intense that it made standing and walking for extended periods difficult. While considering artificial joint replacement surgery, Ms. Lai was concerned about the long recovery period and the potential for future complications or a limited lifespan of the artificial joint. She sought an alternative and was evaluated by a cardiology team at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, which is operated by China Medical University.

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After the treatment, I no longer have pain when I walk.

The team recommended and performed a minimally invasive arterial embolization (TAME) procedure. This technique involves accessing the affected area through a small puncture in the wrist or groin artery. Using a microcatheter, specialists precisely target abnormal new blood vessels that contribute to the pain in the knee.

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The minimally invasive treatment uses local anesthesia, the surgery takes about an hour, and patients can return home the same day.

During the procedure, a microscopic embolic agent is injected to block this abnormal blood flow. Performed under local anesthesia, the TAME procedure typically takes about an hour, and patients can often return home the same day. Ms. Lai reported a dramatic reduction in her pain, dropping from an estimated 8 out of 10 to just 1, enabling her to resume her daily activities without discomfort.

While the TAME procedure has shown significant success, with over 70 cases treated by the hospital's cardiology team in the past six months, it is currently an out-of-pocket expense and not covered by Taiwan's National Health Insurance. The cost varies depending on the location and extent of the targeted blood vessels. Hospital president Chang Kun-cheng noted that while the procedure offers advantages like a small incision, no hospital stay, and short treatment time, it is not suitable for all types of knee pain and requires individual assessment by a cardiologist.

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Most patients' pain can be improved by more than 50% after the procedure.