Transarterial Embolization for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in the Lower Extremity: Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, Achilles Tendinitis, and Plantar Fasciitis

Transarterial embolization (TAE) has been investigated for chronic lower-extremity musculoskeletal pain refractory to conservative therapy. For greater trochanteric pain syndrome, lateral femoral circumflex artery embolization reduced median visual analog scale scores from 8.5 to 10 to 0 to 2, with clinical success rates of approximately 64% at 30 months. In chronic Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis, reported success rates range from 73 to 100%, with rapid pain reduction and sustained functional improvement up to 24 to 48 months. Across studies, no major complications were reported. These findings support TAE as a promising option for selected patients, warranting further prospective evaluation.