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Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Arterial Embolisation for Chronic Knee Pain: Mild-to-Moderate Versus Severe Knee Osteoarthritis

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Arterial Interventions
  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This retrospective study was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolisation for chronic knee pain in patients with mild-to-moderate versus severe knee osteoarthritis.

Materials and Methods

This study included patients (n = 41) who were refractory to conservative treatments and who underwent transcatheter arterial embolisation using imipenem/cilastatin sodium between June 2017 and July 2018. A total of 71 knees, including 30 bilateral cases, were treated and categorised into two groups according to the Kellgren–Lawrence grade: mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis (n = 59, Kellgren–Lawrence grade 1–3) and severe osteoarthritis (n = 12, Kellgren–Lawrence grade 4). The clinical outcomes were measured by the visual analogue scale score.

Results

There were no significant differences in age, body mass index or baseline visual analogue scale scores between the two groups. The mean visual analogue scale scores in the mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis group were significantly decreased at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6-months (5.5 at baseline vs. 3.2, 3.1, 2.9, 2.2, and 1.9, after treatment; all P = .00). These improvements were maintained at a mean of 10 ± 3 months (range 6–19 months) post-treatment. The visual analogue scale scores were significantly decreased in the severe osteoarthritis group for 1 month post-treatment (6.3 at baseline vs. 4.1, 4.1, and 4.4 at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month; all P < .01). However, a decrease in pain was not statistically significant from 3 to 6 months (5.4 and 5.9 at 3 months and 6 months, respectively).

Conclusion

Transcatheter arterial embolisation effectively relieved pain in patients with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis. In patients with severe osteoarthritis, pain severity decreased for 1 month but gradually increased to the initial severity score within 3 months.

Level of Evidence

4, Case series.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, H Plus Yangji Hospital, 1636, Nambusunhwan-ro, Gwanakgu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Sang Hwan Lee

  2. Department of Radiology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Jin Ho Hwang

  3. Department of Radiology, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Dong Hyun Kim & Young Ho So

  4. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Bundang, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

    Jihong Park

  5. Department of Radiology, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Soo Buem Cho

  6. Department of Radiology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Pyeongchon, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea

    Jeong-Eun Kim

  7. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea

    Young Jae Kim

  8. Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Saebeom Hur & Hwan Jun Jae

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  1. Sang Hwan Lee
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Correspondence to Sang Hwan Lee.

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For this type of study, consent for publication is not required.

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This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board (IRB). For this type of study, formal consent is not required.

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This study has obtained IRB approval from H Plus Yangji Clinical Research Center, and the need for informed consent was waived.

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Lee, S.H., Hwang, J.H., Kim, D.H. et al. Clinical Outcomes of Transcatheter Arterial Embolisation for Chronic Knee Pain: Mild-to-Moderate Versus Severe Knee Osteoarthritis. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 42, 1530–1536 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-019-02289-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-019-02289-4

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