Arterial embolization is a promising, minimally invasive treatment for chronic hip pain in patients with osteoarthritis, according to research presented February 28 at the ECR meeting in Vienna.
Maria Vittoria Paolucci, MD, of La Sapienza University of Rome, presented a study that included a small group of patients who reported significant improvements in hip pain six months after the procedure, as well as improved joint function and quality of life.
“This study represents an exciting advancement in pain management, offering patients less invasive treatment options for a better quality of life,” she said.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects millions worldwide. The disease leads to inflammation that can destroy cartilage in the hip, which causes chronic pain. If conservative treatments with medications fail to work, hip replacement surgery is often recommended, Paolucci explained. However, many patients are ineligible for surgery, she noted.
Embolization of arteries that supply blood to inflamed hip joints may offer an alternative for these patients, Paolucci said. During the procedure, an interventional radiologist inserts microparticles in the arteries to block blood flow, which reduces pain signals to the brain.
In this study, Paolucci and colleagues evaluated the safety and efficacy of lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) embolization in seven patients. The patients (ranging in age from 45 to 84) had chronic pain, were unresponsive to conservative treatments, and had clear signs of advanced osteoarthritis on MRI scans.
Image courtesy of the ECR.
Outcomes were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at baseline, 48 hours, one month, three months, and six months after the procedure.
According to the findings, LCFA embolization resulted in significant pain reduction immediately after the procedure, with mean VAS scores improving from 8 ± 1.2 before the procedure to 2.5 ± 1.3 six months after the procedure. WOMAC scores also indicated improved joint function and quality of life, with significant reductions in stiffness and physical dysfunction, Paolucci reported.
In addition, there were no significant differences in the reported improvements from patients at 48 hours, one month, three months, and six months after the procedure, indicating that the therapeutic benefits are sustained over time.
“LCFA embolization appears to be a promising treatment for chronic hip pain related to osteoarthritis. This procedure offers a safe and effective option, particularly for those patients who seek to avoid surgery,” Paolucci said.
Ultimately, however, this was a small study, and LCFA embolization is an emerging treatment that requires additional research, Paolucci said. There has been only one other study of the procedure, also in a small cohort of 13 patients, she added.
“Further long-term research is necessary to confirm its lasting effects and optimize patient selection,” she concluded.
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