Months of heel and calf stiffness that physical therapy has not resolved may stem from abnormal blood vessels feeding your tendon.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute performs achilles tendon embolization to shut down the vascular inflammation driving chronic achilles tendinopathy.
The procedure uses a single catheter puncture. You walk out the same day.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute
Achilles tendon embolization is a catheter-based procedure that delivers microscopic particles into the neovascular channels within the diseased achilles tendon, blocking the abnormal blood supply that sustains chronic inflammatory pain and tendon degeneration.
Our physicians advance a microcatheter from a small puncture in the groin or the wrist artery to the posterior tibial artery branches feeding the tendon. Fluoroscopic imaging confirms the target vessels before particles are deployed.
The embolic particles lodge in the abnormal feeder vessels. Surrounding healthy tissue retains blood supply through collateral circulation.
The procedure takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Sedation is provided as needed.
Procedure
Our team reviews your MRI findings, symptom duration, and prior treatments. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute typically requires imaging evidence of tendon thickening or neovascularization before proceeding.
You lie comfortably under light sedation while the catheter is guided to the target vessels. Local anesthetic numbs the access site. Most patients report only mild warmth near the ankle.
A small bandage is applied. You can walk immediately and return to most daily activities within 24 to 48 hours. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute schedules follow-up at 4 to 6 weeks to track your response.
Pain relief develops progressively over two to six weeks as the inflammatory milieu clears.
Benefits
Chronic achilles tendinopathy involves pathologic neovascularity within the tendon. Embolization blocks these vessels directly rather than masking the pain with medication.
Unlike debridement or repair surgery, embolization does not involve an incision through the tendon sheath. The structural integrity of the achilles remains intact.
Soris Pain & Vascular Institute performs the procedure at our outpatient centers. The procedure typically takes about half a day, including recovery, and you'll be able to go home the same day.
There is no cast, boot, or crutch requirement after achilles tendon embolization. Return to weight-bearing activity begins immediately.
Conditions Treated with Achilles Tendon Embolization
This procedure is indicated for patients with chronic achilles tendinopathy who have not responded to at least three months of conservative therapy including eccentric stretching, physical therapy, or shockwave treatment.
Patients with midportion tendinopathy and imaging-confirmed neovascularity are the strongest candidates.
Collaboration
Our physicians perform achilles tendon embolization at our outpatient centers. Their catheter-based musculoskeletal practice includes training with international leaders in tendon embolization.
Our vascular specialists contribute to pre-procedure workup and post-procedure follow-up care.
FAQ
Most patients describe the experience as comfortable. Local anesthesia and conscious sedation manage any discomfort. Post-procedure soreness at the access site typically resolves within a day.
Low-impact activity like walking resumes immediately. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute recommends waiting two to four weeks before returning to running or high-impact exercise. Your follow-up visit guides the progression timeline.
Yes, though each side is typically treated in a separate session. Soris Pain & Vascular Institute spaces bilateral procedures to monitor your response on each side.
Board-certified physicians bringing hospital-level, minimally invasive interventional procedures to outpatient centers.
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