What is TAME?

TAME (transarterial microembolization) is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure used to treat chronic pain, particularly in joints and tendons. It’s an innovative approach that targets the root cause of the pain—the tiny, abnormal blood vessels that form due to inflammation.

The Problem: Neovascularization

When you suffer from chronic pain due to conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, or osteoarthritis, inflammation often leads to the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels (a process called neovascularization) and nerves. These new structures are a major source of pain.

The TAME Solution

TAME works by selectively blocking these tiny, abnormal blood vessels. During the procedure, we inject microscopic particles (microspheres) into the arteries that supply blood to the painful area. These particles safely and permanently block the problematic vessels, reducing inflammation and ultimately, your pain. The surrounding healthy tissue is not affected.

How it Works: The TAME Procedure

TAME is performed in an outpatient setting, so you can go home the same day.

1. Preparation: You’ll receive a local anesthetic at the access site, typically in the wrist or groin. A thin catheter (a small, hollow tube) is then inserted into an artery.
2. Navigation: Using live X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy), we guide the catheter to the area of pain, for example, the shoulder, hip, or ankle.
3. Embolization: Once the catheter is in place, we inject the microscopic particles. These particles travel with the blood flow and lodge themselves in the small, abnormal blood vessels, effectively blocking them.
4. Completion: The catheter is removed, and a small bandage is applied. The procedure usually takes about an hour.

Conditions Treated with TAME

TAME can be an effective treatment for chronic pain in various parts of the body, including:

1. Shoulder: Frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tendonitis, Trapezius myalgia
2. Elbow: Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
3. Wrist & Hand: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, CMC arthritis, TFCC injury, Hand osteoarthritis
4. Hip: Osteoarthritis, hip bursitis, Greater trochanter pain syndrome
5. Knee: Osteoarthritis, Jumper’s knee (Patellar tendinitis)
6. Ankle & Foot: Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis
7. Chronic Back pain: facet joint arthropathy
8. Rheumatoid arthritis: selected cases for pain relief

Why Choose TAME?

1. Minimally Invasive: No large incisions or general anaesthesia.
2. Targeted Treatment: It directly addresses the source of the pain.
3. Quick Recovery: Most patients can return to their daily activities within a few days.
4. Outpatient Procedure: You can go home the same day.
5. High Success Rate: Studies have shown significant and lasting pain relief for many patients.

Talk to us

If you suffer from chronic pain and are looking for a non-surgical treatment option, speak with your interventional radiologist or referring doctor to see whether TAME for your chronic pain