TAME is an emerging catheter treatment for selected chronic tendon and joint pain when standard treatment has not been sufficient. It targets abnormal small blood vessels associated with persistent pain.
In chronic tendon and joint conditions, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff and other tendinopathies, the body grows clusters of abnormal new blood vessels at the painful site. Alongside them grow new nerve endings, and together they sustain inflammation and pain. This is why some tendons and joints stay painful for months or years despite physiotherapy, medication and injections.
TAME targets abnormal small blood vessels at a painful tendon or joint using a fine catheter introduced through a small arterial puncture. Tiny particles are delivered under imaging guidance to reduce this abnormal vascularity. It uses the same principle as genicular artery embolisation (GAE), while TAME is used for selected tendons and other joints.
Your imaging and previous treatments are reviewed to confirm the pain pattern fits and embolisation is likely to help.
Under sedation, through a small arterial puncture. Contrast imaging maps the abnormal vessels in real time before they are treated.
You go home the same day. Mild ache or skin mottling near the treated area for a few days is common and settles.
Pain typically improves over two to six weeks. You continue physiotherapy to convert pain relief into strength and function.
TAME is an emerging treatment supported by a growing body of international experience: many well-selected patients experience meaningful pain reduction, and the procedure can be repeated. Because the evidence base varies by condition, suitability should be assessed against the diagnosis, imaging and treatments already tried.
Risks are low: temporary skin discolouration or numbness, a small bruise at the puncture site, and an ache for a few days are the common ones. The consultation includes the current evidence for the specific condition, including uncertainty about response where relevant.
The strongest experience is in tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), and shoulder and gluteal tendinopathy, typically when pain has persisted beyond 3–6 months of proper conservative care.
It uses the same principle of reducing abnormal pain-associated vessels. Genicular artery embolisation (GAE) is the version used for knee osteoarthritis; TAME is the term used for tendons and other joints.
Published series report benefit commonly lasting months to a few years, and the procedure can be repeated. Individual results vary and should be interpreted in the context of your imaging and symptoms.
The procedure itself is done under sedation and is well tolerated. Some patients have a temporary flare of ache for a few days afterwards before the improvement begins.
Transarterial micro-embolisation for musculoskeletal pain is an emerging treatment; the evidence base is early but growing.
Selected sources supporting the information on this page. General information only, not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Reviewed by Dr Gregory Tarr; last reviewed September 2026.