In this article
At South Island Interventional Radiology, patients with persistent musculoskeletal pain can discuss whether an image-guided procedure may be appropriate. Tendon pain that continues despite rehabilitation needs reassessment to confirm the cause and review the available options. TAME is an emerging treatment, and its usefulness differs between conditions. Contact the team to discuss an assessment.
What is chronic tendon pain?
Tendons connect muscles to bones. Persistent tendon pain, often called tendinopathy, can involve changes in tendon structure and its response to load; inflammation alone does not explain every case. It usually affects a particular site, such as the shoulder, elbow, knee or Achilles tendon. Repeated loading, age and previous injury can contribute, but assessment is needed to identify the cause.
Common symptoms
Symptoms of chronic tendon pain vary depending on the affected area. Common symptoms include localised pain that worsens with activity, stiffness after periods of inactivity, reduced strength and tenderness around the tendon.
Examples of tendon-related conditions include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy and patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee). These diagnoses do not automatically make someone suitable for TAME. The evidence and other treatment options need to be considered separately for each condition.
Standard treatment for tendon pain
Treatment usually starts with education, activity modification and a rehabilitation programme tailored to the tendon and the person’s goals. Pain medicines, supports or selected injections may be considered after discussing their benefits and risks. Some conditions need a surgical opinion. Persistent symptoms are a reason to review the diagnosis and rehabilitation plan, rather than assume that standard care cannot address the problem.
Understanding the TAME procedure
TAME (transarterial microembolisation) is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. Using image guidance, the interventional radiologist guides a catheter through the blood vessels to target abnormal blood vessels associated with chronic tendon inflammation. The aim is to reduce pain and improve function.
Potential benefits of TAME
For selected patients, embolisation may help relieve persistent tendon pain and improve function without open surgery. Early studies suggest that some patients experience sustained improvement, but evidence on long-term benefits and risks remains limited. As this is an emerging treatment, a thorough specialist assessment is needed to determine suitability and discuss the potential benefits, risks, alternatives and expected recovery.
Is TAME right for you?
TAME is an emerging, minimally invasive treatment that may be considered for selected patients whose tendon pain persists despite physiotherapy, activity modification and other conservative treatments. It aims to reduce pain and improve function, although evidence on its long-term benefits and risks is still developing.