Transarterial embolization in musculoskeletal care: an indication-stratified narrative review
Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Transarterial embolization (TAE) is increasingly used across a broad spectrum of musculoskeletal conditions, ranging from established hemostatic and tumor-related indications to emerging pain-directed procedures for degenerative joint disease and chronic inflammatory tendinopathies. Because these applications differ substantially in clinical maturity, methodological quality, durability of outcomes, and comparative evidence, an indication-stratified synthesis is needed. MAIN BODY: This narrative review summarizes technical principles, vascular anatomy considerations, embolic agent selection, clinical indications, and evidence maturity in musculoskeletal TAE. Hemostatic and selected tumor-related applications are established components of multidisciplinary care, whereas pain-directed embolization, including Genicular artery embolization for knee osteoarthritis and embolization for tendinopathies, is generally performed as a stand-alone minimally invasive procedure targeting pathological neovascularity. Current evidence remains heterogeneous, with variable study designs, follow-up, endpoints, and definitions of technical and clinical success. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal TAE is an expanding field with established, intermediate, and exploratory indications. Its evidence base is strongest for hemostatic and selected tumor-related applications, whereas stand-alone pain-directed embolization requires careful patient selection, standardized outcome assessment, and further comparative trials to define durability and clinical value.
Source: CVIR Endovascular
Institutions: McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen Normandie, Université de Caen Normandie, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Université Paris-Saclay, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Ambroise-Paré, Université Rennes 2, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Inserm, Hôpital Cochin, Institut Cochin, Mines Saint-Étienne, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint-Étienne, SAnté INgenierie BIOlogie Saint-Etienne, Université de Montréal, Université Jean Monnet
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,590
OpenAlex ID: W7215904413