{"title":"Transcatheter Arterial Embolization of Abnormal Neovessels for Patellar Tendinopathy: A Safety Evaluation: A Proof-of-Concept Study.","authors":"Shohei Inui, Kentaro Onishi, Anderson Tomoyuki Kochi, Masahiko Shibuya, Koichi Miyazaki, Masaya Nakata, Atsuhiko Kawabe, Takashi Nakasone, Nobuaki Sakai, Yuji Okuno","doi":"10.1177/23259671251337093","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is common among athletes, and the current care is largely palliative.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To evaluate the safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in patients with PT refractory to nonoperative treatments.</p><p><strong>Study design: </strong>Case series; Level of evidence, 4.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a multicenter, retrospective study in which recalcitrant PT was treated using TAE. TAE was performed by infusing temporary embolic material through a catheter inserted into the targeted genicular artery. Complications, numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment for the patella (VISA-P), time to return to training, and ultrasound findings were reported.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between March 2017 and February 2023, a total of 98 patients with PT underwent TAE. Nine patients were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 89 patients (69 male; mean age, 26.1 ± 11.9 years) were followed up for 1 to 7 years (mean, 31.2 ± 16.1 months) after TAE. No major complications were observed. Mean VISA-P score improved from 24.9 ± 15.3 at baseline to 43.2 ± 21.6, 55.2 ± 22.3, and 67.4 ± 24.7, at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up, respectively. Mean NRS for pain improved from 7.6 ± 1.4 at baseline to 4.5 ± 2.3, 3.5 ± 2.4, and 2.7 ± 2.4 at the corresponding time points. VISA-P and NRS scores were 74.6 ± 26.2 and 2.3 ± 2.7, respectively, at the final follow-up. Mean times for return to light and full training were 7.8 ± 8.7 and 14.3 ± 11.5 weeks, respectively. Ultrasound demonstrated decreased patellar tendon thickness (9.5 ± 1.8 mm at baseline vs 6.6 ± 1.3 mm at the final follow-up) without tendon ruptures.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TAE can be considered a safe alternate to existing treatment options for recalcitrant PT. A randomized controlled trial is required to elucidate its efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":19646,"journal":{"name":"Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine","volume":"13 6","pages":"23259671251337093"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12214352/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671251337093","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/6/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ORTHOPEDICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is common among athletes, and the current care is largely palliative.
Purpose: To evaluate the safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in patients with PT refractory to nonoperative treatments.
Study design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods: This was a multicenter, retrospective study in which recalcitrant PT was treated using TAE. TAE was performed by infusing temporary embolic material through a catheter inserted into the targeted genicular artery. Complications, numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain, Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment for the patella (VISA-P), time to return to training, and ultrasound findings were reported.
Results: Between March 2017 and February 2023, a total of 98 patients with PT underwent TAE. Nine patients were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 89 patients (69 male; mean age, 26.1 ± 11.9 years) were followed up for 1 to 7 years (mean, 31.2 ± 16.1 months) after TAE. No major complications were observed. Mean VISA-P score improved from 24.9 ± 15.3 at baseline to 43.2 ± 21.6, 55.2 ± 22.3, and 67.4 ± 24.7, at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up, respectively. Mean NRS for pain improved from 7.6 ± 1.4 at baseline to 4.5 ± 2.3, 3.5 ± 2.4, and 2.7 ± 2.4 at the corresponding time points. VISA-P and NRS scores were 74.6 ± 26.2 and 2.3 ± 2.7, respectively, at the final follow-up. Mean times for return to light and full training were 7.8 ± 8.7 and 14.3 ± 11.5 weeks, respectively. Ultrasound demonstrated decreased patellar tendon thickness (9.5 ± 1.8 mm at baseline vs 6.6 ± 1.3 mm at the final follow-up) without tendon ruptures.
Conclusion: TAE can be considered a safe alternate to existing treatment options for recalcitrant PT. A randomized controlled trial is required to elucidate its efficacy.
期刊介绍:
The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (OJSM), developed by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), is a global, peer-reviewed, open access journal that combines the interests of researchers and clinical practitioners across orthopaedic sports medicine, arthroscopy, and knee arthroplasty.
Topics include original research in the areas of:
-Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, including surgical and nonsurgical treatment of orthopaedic sports injuries
-Arthroscopic Surgery (Shoulder/Elbow/Wrist/Hip/Knee/Ankle/Foot)
-Relevant translational research
-Sports traumatology/epidemiology
-Knee and shoulder arthroplasty
The OJSM also publishes relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
This journal is a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).