We require a provider referral to vascular and interventional radiology before scheduling an appointment. Please contact your provider for a referral or visit our website to find a radiologist.
Vascular and Interventional Radiology Treatments for Pain
Vascular and interventional radiology (VIR) pain management treatments can treat the source of knee pain, back pain and other musculoskeletal pain.
Geniculate artery embolization
Knee pain resulting from arthritis is tied to the overgrowth of the lining (synovium) of the knee joint. This condition is also known as synovial hypertrophy or hyperplasia.
Using endovascular techniques, interventional radiologists access an artery at the wrist or groin and direct wires and catheters (thin tubes) to the knee. They then deliver embolization (blocking) materials directly to the geniculate (knee) arteries. These materials decrease blood flow to the synovium, reducing inflammation and helping you move with less pain.
Neurolysis and plexus infiltrations
Nerves receive signals from different parts of the body and transmit them back to the brain. To treat certain conditions, surgeons intentionally damage nerves using medications. This procedure, known as neurolysis, decreases pain signals the body can send to the brain.
Our interventional radiologists perform neurolysis in hard-to-reach areas of the body, including areas of the abdomen (celiac plexus) and pelvis (hypogastric plexus).
Vertebral augmentation: kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty
Certain trauma, such as falls, may cause bones in the spine to fracture (break) known as vertebral compression fractures. These fractures may lead to the loss of vertebrae height, causing pain for several months after the initial injury. Osteoporosis is the most common cause of vertebral compression fractures.
If vertebral compression fractures receive treatment within the first week or two after the fracture, it can reduce pain, improve your mobility and decrease your need for narcotic pain medication.
Interventional radiologists perform vertebral augmentation (kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty) procedures to treat vertebral compression fractures. Through tiny incisions about the size of a pencil eraser, the interventional radiologist uses image-guidance to insert special needles (trocars) into the injured bone. Then, specialists can use a combination of balloon inflation and cement placement to restore height and strength to the compressed spinal bones.
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Referring patients to UW Medicine’s vascular and interventional radiology department is simple.
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Common radiology terminology
Common terminology used by our vascular and interventional radiology (VIR) team.