Spine & Joint Pain

ADHESIVE CAPSULITIS EMBOLIZATION

Our expert team, led by skilled interventional radiologists, performs Adhesive Capsulitis Embolization (ACE) to address this challenging condition. A frozen shoulder can significantly impact your range of motion and daily activities. Our patient-centric approach aims to provide effective, minimally invasive solutions that promote healing and restore flexibility.

Adhesive Capsulitis Embolization (ACE) relieves the patient’s pain and increases the range of motion for those whose symptoms have persisted despite conservative treatment. It is also an alternative to surgery. During ACE, the Interventional Radiologist utilizes image guidance to embolize or close down blood vessels surrounding the shoulder joint to reduce blood flow. ACE helps to alleviate inflammation and improve mobility of the shoulder joint.

KYPHOPLASTY & VERTEBROPLASTY

These are image-guided, minimally invasive procedures used to restore vertebrae in the spine that have been weakened or compressed, typically due to osteoporosis.

Kyphoplasty is similar to vertebroplasty. It is performed using image guidance to insert a small balloon catheter into the vertebrae, where it is then inflated, elevating the fracture, while compressing the inner bone to create a cavity where a cement mixture is then injected to restore the original shape and height.

Vertebroplasty is where, under image guidance, a cement mixture is injected into the damaged vertebrae, restoring it to its original shape and height.

Learn more about Kyphoplasty for pain management and Vertebroplasty for pain management.

EPIDURAL STEROID INJECTIONS

At Minneapolis Vascular Physicians, our interventional radiologists also specialize in epidural steroid injections (ESI). An ESI is a non-surgical treatment performed on the neck or back (cervical, thoracic or lumbar levels) to help reduce inflammation and irritation of exiting nerve roots. While the effects of an injection tend to be temporary, providing relief from pain for one week up to one year, an ESI can benefit patients during an episode of severe back pain and provide sufficient pain relief to allow patients to progress with their rehabilitation program.

Pain injections are performed using fluoroscopy for precise placement of the injection. As the procedure begins, a nurse and a highly trained technologist will help you get situated and comfortable, explain the procedure, and answer any questions.

Before the injection, your skin will be numbed with a local anesthetic. In some cases, sedation may be used for patient anxiety and comfort.

Fluoroscopy is used to guide the needle to the exact position. Once the needle is in position, the use of a contrast agent enhances the visualization of the area. After confirmation of the needle placement, the steroid solution is injected, and the process is complete.

Most pain injections are performed in 15 to 30 minutes. Following the procedure, you may spend some time in the recovery area to be monitored. You should allow approximately one hour at our clinic.

You may experience numbness for up to 12 hours following your injection. The desired effects of the steroidal medication usually occur within 48-72 hours but may take as long as one week. Occasionally, it may take more than one injection to obtain full pain relief. If there is no change in patient symptoms after injections, an investigation into other potential sources of the pain may be beneficial.

JOINT INJECTIONS

Joint Injections may be used to identify the source of pain and provide temporary pain relief by injecting steroids into the affected joint.

GENICULAR ARTERY EMBOLIZATION

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is a groundbreaking procedure for treating mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. As a minimally invasive intervention, GAE offers a revolutionary approach to managing knee pain and enhancing joint function. This procedure targets the abnormal arteries that develop due to inflammation in patients with osteoarthritis. If you are seeking an effective, non-surgical solution to alleviate knee pain and restore mobility, explore the possibilities of GAE with our experienced team of interventional radiologists.

Minimally invasive treatment

Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate knee osteoarthritis symptoms. Our skilled interventional radiologists use image guidance to access the genicular arteries supplying blood to the knee joint during the procedure. The physician identifies the abnormal arteries caused by inflammation in the knee and injects tiny particles or embolic agents to block or reduce blood flow. By doing so, GAE aims to decrease inflammation and pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. This innovative technique provides an additional treatment option to those seeking relief from persistent pain despite the use of oral medications and knee injections. GAE can be combined with these therapies and offers another treatment option before knee replacement must be considered. Studies have shown decreased pain and improved quality of life following GAE.