Hip Artery Embolization (HAE): A Minimally Invasive Option for Chronic Hip Pain Relief

If you’re living with chronic hip pain, you know all too well how it can steadily limit your mobility, activity level, and quality of life. And whether it comes from arthritis, bursitis, or other degenerative joint conditions, traditional treatments aren’t always sufficient.

Medications, physical therapy, or steroid injections may offer some relief, but they rarely fully resolve symptoms, and that’s where hip artery embolization (HAE) can make a difference. HAE is a minimally invasive alternative that targets the source of inflammation and pain without open surgery.

Here’s how it works, from our team at Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care in Hobart, La Porte, Merrillville, Munster, and Valparaiso, Indiana.

How hip artery embolization treats chronic hip pain

HAE is a procedure that reduces abnormal or excessive blood flow to inflamed tissues around your hip joint. Inflammation contributes to a variety of chronic pain conditions, including arthritis and bursitis. When inflammation is chronic, the tiny blood vessels that feed the inflamed tissues can grow in response to ongoing irritation.

As the blood vessels grow larger, they deliver more blood to the inflamed areas, which can actually fuel inflammation and pain to create a vicious cycle. Many people with chronic hip pain have tried conservative care, like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and even injections, but these options aren’t always effective enough to break that cycle.

When conservative treatments provide only short-term relief or aren’t enough, HAE can be a valuable next step. The treatment uses a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) inserted through an artery to deliver tiny particles that block abnormal blood flow to those inflamed areas.

Reducing blood flow means HAE addresses pain at its vascular and inflammatory source to decrease inflammation, improve symptoms, and preserve the joint’s structure.

Is HAE right for you?

HAE can be a game-changer for people with chronic hip pain that hasn’t responded well to other treatments. At Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care, our experienced team specializes in minimally invasive pain management techniques, including HAE. It may be a good option for you if:

• You have persistent hip pain that limits daily function
• You have hip pain from issues like hip bursitis, arthritis, or chronic inflammation
• You’ve tried conservative treatments without lasting relief
• You want a nonsurgical, joint-preserving approach
• You want to delay or avoid hip replacement surgery

To help you make the right decision for your needs, our care team performs a thorough evaluation including imaging and clinical assessment. Together, we'll determine whether HAE is appropriate for you and help you find targeted relief and improved quality of life.

What to expect during hip artery embolization

HAE is a minimally invasive procedure that usually takes less than two hours. You lie down on the exam table, and we apply a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. We may also give you a mild sedative to help you stay relaxed.

Using real-time X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy), we carefully guide a small catheter to the blood vessels responsible for supplying blood to the inflamed area in your hip. Then, we send tiny particles through the catheter and into those blood vessels to block excess blood flow.

We remove the catheter, apply pressure and a bandage to the entry site, and move you into a recovery room. You can go home after a short observation period, but you will need someone to drive you.

There are no incisions required with HAE, so there’s usually very little downtime. In fact, most people can resume light daily activities within a few days, and pain relief often begins gradually over several weeks as inflammation decreases. You may also benefit from physical therapy or a tailored rehabilitation program after the procedure to support overall joint health and function.

Ready to learn more? A consultation can help you understand your options and determine whether HAE fits your goals for pain relief and mobility. Contact us online or call 219-476-7246 today to get started.