Management of Chronic Pain Syndrome in Knee Osteoarthritis with Selective Embolization of Popliteal Artery Branches: Review

Abstract

Background. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in early stages as well as the pain syndrome associated with it usually suggests the combination of medicines and physical therapy means. However, no method has proven its absolute efficiency yet. Transcatheter arterial embolization of popliteal branches is a new minimally invasive treatment that is currently being studied and tested. The objective of our research was the analysis as well as generalization of the outcomes of the pain syndrome in knee OA treatment with the selective embolization of popliteal branches. Materials and Methods. The reviewed articles were retrieved from PubMed database and eLIBRARY digital library considering the criteria like the emboli material, size, and type; possible complications and their effect on the outcome; the patient enrolment criteria for this type of surgical management; the short and long-term outcomes. Results. Transcatheter arterial embolization of popliteal branches is a new minimally invasive method of knee OA treatment. All authors revealed the pathology growth of the vasculature and its complete embolization as a result of the intervention. The review articles present a significant abatement in patients resistant to conventional medical treatment, minimal possible complications, and good long-term outcomes. Conclusion. Since this method of knee OA management is new and understudied, and the number of the published findings does not exceed two hundred it required further thorough investigation and randomized clinical trials.