Hip Embolization for Hip Osteoarthritis Pain
Hip embolization is transcatheter treatment of the small vessels feeding an inflamed hip joint — hip arthritis without surgery for selected people. If injections are fading, request a consultation with Dr. John Smirniotopoulos to review whether this alternative to hip replacement is a fit.
Typically outpatient, with light sedation rather than general anesthesia
The procedure
Hip embolization for hip osteoarthritis pain
A catheter delivers tiny particles to the vessels feeding the inflamed hip joint. It is one option among joint treatments at Full Motion Joint and Spine, including selected pain after hip replacement — not a promised result.
Not a new hip
Not arthroplasty. Outer-hip bursitis may need trochanteric bursitis embolization. Nerve signaling may need hip nerve ablation.
MedStar procedures
Done in the MedStar hospital setting. Visit flow is on the Locations page.
Request a consult
Request a consultation so candidacy is decided in person — not from this page.
The joint
Groin pain from arthritis — or pain after hip replacement
Hip osteoarthritis pain in the groin, and some lingering pain after replacement, are the usual embolization consults. This is minimally invasive hip treatment of inflamed tissue — it does not grow cartilage.
The catheter
Transcatheter hip embolization through a small access
A thin catheter is guided to the vessels feeding hypervascular synovium. Microscopic particles reduce that extra flow. Most visits use light sedation. If nerves are the story, hip nerve ablation may fit better.
Candidacy
A consult if you hope to delay hip replacement
People ask about hip embolization after conservative care, when they are not ready for arthroplasty, or when pain lingered after a replacement. Dr. John Smirniotopoulos decides candidacy in person — not from this page.
Often discussed at consult
- Chronic hip osteoarthritis pain that limits walking or sleep
- Injections that help only briefly
- Interest in a catheter option instead of an immediate new hip
Candidacy is confirmed in person — not from this page.
Not every hip MRI
Infection, certain vascular findings, or pain from the lumbar spine can point elsewhere.
A hot swollen joint with fever, or inability to bear weight after injury, needs urgent care — not this page.
The visit
Your hip embolization visit, start to finish
Before you arrive
Imaging review and simple prep. See Locations.
The day of treatment
A few hours from check-in through recovery. Small puncture. Arrange a ride home.
Going home
Typically outpatient with same-day discharge when the visit goes as planned.
Follow-up
If improvement comes, it often builds over weeks. Timelines vary. No rate is quoted here.
Afterward
Recovery after hip embolization
This is not hip-replacement recovery. Access-site soreness can occur. If embolization is not the match, options include conservative care, hip nerve ablation, or surgical evaluation with your existing team.
Care led by
Dr. John Smirniotopoulos
Hip embolization is performed by a dual board-certified interventional and diagnostic radiologist, Associate Professor of Radiology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, fellowship-trained in vascular and interventional radiology (2020). Credentials are on the About page.
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Dual board-certified Interventional & Diagnostic Radiology
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American Board of Radiology
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Associate Professor of Radiology MedStar Georgetown
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Society of Interventional Radiology SIR
Before you book
Hip embolization questions we hear at consult
Can hip embolization help hip osteoarthritis pain?
It is used for pain linked to inflamed joint lining. Results vary. No outcome is guaranteed.
Is it an alternative to hip replacement?
For selected people it is discussed as part of a plan to delay replacement. That is a shared decision.
Can it help pain after hip replacement?
Selected lingering pain after replacement is discussed. Candidacy is confirmed in person.
Is it outpatient?
Yes. It is typically outpatient with same-day discharge when the visit proceeds as planned.