Hip Arthritis Treatment in Suwanee/Johns Creek, GA, and Near Atlanta
Explore a minimally invasive treatment option for persistent hip osteoarthritis pain.
- 20+ Years of Experience
- Board-Certified Vascular Surgeons
- Accepting New Patients
- Same-Day Visits Available
What Is Hip Arthritis?
Hip arthritis is a condition that causes deterioration and inflammation within the hip joint. The most common form is osteoarthritis, which develops as the protective cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually wears down.
As cartilage deteriorates, movement may become painful, and the hip can become increasingly stiff. Hip osteoarthritis often develops gradually, although the severity and rate of progression vary among patients.
Age is a common risk factor, but hip arthritis may also be associated with a previous injury, repetitive stress on the joint, excess body weight, genetics, or structural differences in the hip.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Hip Arthritis?
Hip arthritis can affect mobility and make everyday activities increasingly difficult. Symptoms may become more noticeable during physical activity or after sitting for an extended period.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain in the groin, outer hip, thigh, or buttock
- Stiffness after resting or waking up
- Pain while walking, standing, bending, or climbing stairs
- Difficulty getting out of a chair
- Reduced range of motion
- Difficulty putting on shoes or socks
- Grinding, clicking, or catching sensations in the hip
- Reduced ability to participate in everyday or recreational activities
What Is Transarterial Embolization and How Does It Reduce Hip Arthritis Pain?
Transarterial Embolization (TAE) is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that targets selected blood vessels associated with inflammation around an arthritic hip.
Hip osteoarthritis may involve the development of abnormal small blood vessels around the affected joint. These vessels can contribute to inflammation and stimulate nearby pain-sensitive nerves.
During TAE, a vascular specialist guides a thin catheter through an artery toward the vessels supplying the inflamed area. A carefully selected embolic material is delivered through the catheter to reduce abnormal blood flow in the targeted vessels while preserving circulation to healthy tissue.
By reducing this abnormal inflammatory blood flow, TAE may help decrease pain and improve mobility in appropriately selected patients.
TAE does not replace the hip joint, restore damaged cartilage, or cure osteoarthritis. It is an emerging treatment intended to help manage symptoms, particularly when conservative treatments have not provided sufficient relief.
Who May Be a Candidate for Transarterial Embolization?
TAE may be considered for certain patients with persistent pain caused by hip osteoarthritis, especially when their symptoms interfere with mobility, independence, or quality of life.
You may be considered for an evaluation if you:
- Have hip osteoarthritis confirmed through a clinical examination and imaging
- Have experienced persistent hip pain for several months or longer
- Have not received sufficient relief from medication, physical therapy, injections, or other conservative treatments
- Experience pain that interferes with walking or everyday activities
- Want to explore a minimally invasive treatment option
- Are not ready for or cannot undergo hip replacement
- Want to delay surgery when medically appropriate
- Can safely undergo an angiographic procedure using contrast material
Not everyone with hip pain is a candidate for TAE. Our specialists will evaluate the cause and severity of your symptoms, imaging findings, medical history, medications, kidney function, allergies, circulation, and previous treatments before making a recommendation.
Benefits of TAE for Hip Arthritis
For appropriately selected patients, Transarterial Embolization may offer the following potential benefits:
Minimally Invasive Approach
TAE is performed through a small arterial puncture rather than a large surgical incision. It does not require the removal or replacement of the hip joint.
Targeted Treatment
The procedure targets selected blood vessels associated with inflammation around the painful hip while working to preserve circulation to surrounding healthy tissue.
Potential Pain Relief
Reducing abnormal inflammatory blood flow may help decrease hip pain and improve comfort during everyday activities.
Improved Mobility and Function
When treatment is effective, reduced pain may make walking, standing, climbing stairs, and performing daily activities easier.
Potentially Shorter Recovery
Because TAE is catheter-based, its recovery period may be shorter than the recovery associated with major hip surgery.
Preservation of Future Treatment Options
TAE does not remove or replace the hip joint. Hip replacement may remain an option if arthritis progresses or embolization does not provide sufficient relief.
What to Expect During Transarterial Embolization
TAE is performed using real-time imaging to guide a catheter toward the targeted blood vessels. Although the procedure is personalized, it generally involves the following steps:
1
Preparation
The arterial access area is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic. Sedation may also be provided to help you remain comfortable.
2
Catheter Placement
Our specialists insert a thin catheter into an artery through a small puncture.
3
Arterial Mapping
Contrast material and real-time X-ray imaging are used to identify the blood vessels supplying the inflamed area around the hip.
4
Targeted Catheter Guidance
The catheter is carefully advanced into selected vessels associated with abnormal inflammatory blood flow.
5
Embolization
A controlled amount of embolic material is delivered through the catheter to reduce blood flow in the targeted vessels.
6
Completion
The catheter is removed, and pressure or a closure device may be used at the access site.
Before treatment, our specialists will explain how to prepare, whether any medications need to be adjusted, what type of anesthesia or sedation may be used, and what to expect after the procedure.
Recovery and Aftercare Following TAE
After Transarterial Embolization, you will be monitored while the arterial access site begins to heal. Our care team will determine when it is safe for you to stand and walk and will provide recovery instructions based on your individual needs.
You may be advised to:
- Keep the catheter access site clean and dry
- Temporarily avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting
- Take prescribed or recommended medications as directed
- Resume everyday activities gradually
- Monitor the access site for bleeding, swelling, or unusual discomfort
- Attend scheduled follow-up appointments
Improvement may occur gradually rather than immediately. Follow-up visits allow our specialists to evaluate changes in your hip pain, mobility, physical function, and overall response to treatment.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
Possible risks include temporary soreness, bruising, bleeding, infection, contrast reactions, or blood vessel injury. Results can vary, and some patients may experience limited relief. Our specialists will review the potential risks and benefits before treatment.
Why Choose North Atlanta Vascular Clinic for Hip Arthritis Treatment Near Atlanta?
North Atlanta Vascular Clinic combines more than 20 years of experience with advanced image-guided and catheter-based treatment techniques. Every patient receives an individualized evaluation to determine whether Transarterial Embolization or another treatment option may be appropriate.
Patients choose North Atlanta Vascular Clinic for:
Board-Certified Vascular Surgeons
Our specialists have experience performing advanced vascular and endovascular procedures.
Individualized Evaluations
Treatment recommendations are based on your symptoms, imaging, medical history, and previous care.
Minimally Invasive Expertise
Our team focuses on targeted procedures designed to reduce treatment impact when clinically appropriate.
Advanced Facilities
Our vascular center provides access to onsite imaging and noninvasive vascular testing.
Clear Patient Education
We explain the potential benefits and limitations of TAE so you can make an informed decision.
Four Convenient Locations
We serve patients in Suwanee/Johns Creek, Cumming, Lawrenceville, and Alpharetta, as well as surrounding Atlanta communities.
Schedule a Hip Arthritis Evaluation Near Atlanta
Don’t let persistent hip pain limit your mobility and daily activities. Schedule a personalized evaluation with North Atlanta Vascular Clinic to learn whether Transarterial Embolization may be right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hip arthritis commonly causes pain in the groin, thigh, buttock, or outer hip, along with stiffness and reduced mobility. However, similar symptoms can result from other conditions. Our specialists will review your symptoms, examine your hip, and evaluate imaging to determine the cause of your pain.
You may consider an evaluation if you have confirmed hip osteoarthritis, your pain interferes with everyday activities, and treatments such as medication, physical therapy, or injections have not provided enough relief. Our specialists determine whether TAE is appropriate for your condition.
The arterial access site is numbed with a local anesthetic, and sedation may be used to keep you comfortable. You may feel pressure during the procedure and temporary soreness afterward, but experiences vary. Our care team will explain how discomfort will be managed.
TAE is designed to target selected abnormal blood vessels associated with inflammation while preserving circulation to healthy tissue. Because unintended embolization is a possible risk, the procedure requires precise image guidance and careful placement of the catheter and embolic material.
Patients are generally monitored for a period after the procedure and may be able to walk once the care team determines it is safe. You may need to limit strenuous activity temporarily to allow the arterial access site to heal. Follow the individualized instructions provided by our specialists.
Recovery varies depending on your overall health, the arterial access site, and the details of your procedure. Many patients can gradually resume routine activities after a short recovery period, although lifting, strenuous exercise, and other demanding activities may be restricted temporarily.
Pain relief may develop gradually over several weeks rather than immediately. Some patients may experience meaningful improvement, while others may notice limited or no change. Follow-up visits help our specialists evaluate your response and determine whether additional treatment is needed.
TAE does not provide the same results for every patient. If your pain does not improve sufficiently, our specialists may recommend additional evaluation or other nonsurgical and surgical treatments. Undergoing TAE generally does not remove the option of hip replacement later.
TAE may help some patients manage their symptoms and potentially delay surgery, but it cannot repair damaged cartilage or reverse advanced arthritis. Patients with severe joint damage may still require hip replacement. Our vascular specialists can help you understand which option best fits your condition.
The duration of relief varies among patients. Early research has reported improvements lasting up to 12 months in some patients, but long-term evidence remains limited because TAE for hip osteoarthritis is an emerging treatment.
Possible risks include bruising, bleeding, or discomfort at the access site, infection, blood vessel injury, contrast reactions, kidney problems, temporary skin changes, and unintended reduction of blood flow to healthy tissue. Our vascular specialists will review your individual risks before treatment.
