[Opinion] Minimally Invasive, Maximally Effective... How 'Mise Dongmaek Sekjeonsul' is Transforming Pain Treatment

The number of patients experiencing a decline in quality of life due to chronic pain is rapidly increasing. Persistent pain not only makes daily activities difficult but also causes psychological stress. Although various treatments have been attempted, satisfactory results were not achieved, and now an innovative treatment called 'Microarterial Embolization' is gaining attention.

Director Yoon Kyu Song, Vascular Center, SMG Yonsei Hospital.

Microarterial Embolization is a type of endovascular therapy that selectively blocks the tiny arteries leading to the pain-inducing area, thereby stopping the source of pain. Excessive blood flow to the painful area promotes inflammatory responses that worsen pain, but this procedure reduces blood flow, suppresses inflammation, and has been confirmed to significantly reduce pain.

The procedure is relatively simple. Under local anesthesia, a microcatheter is inserted through an artery in the thigh or arm. Using imaging equipment to identify the target blood vessels, embolic material is injected, regulating blood flow to the pain-inducing area and reducing inflammation and pain. The procedure takes about an hour and patients can be discharged on the same day.

Notably, it is minimally invasive. No incisions or general anesthesia are required, and the recovery period is short. Patients can feel pain relief immediately after the procedure, and the risk of side effects or complications is low. This enables patients to quickly return to daily life and leads to an improved quality of life.

This procedure is especially effective for chronic pain conditions that have not responded to conventional treatments, such as shoulder calcific tendinitis, degenerative changes in the knee joint, and pelvic pain. In fact, many patients have reported liberation from pain through microarterial embolization.

However, it is not suitable for all patients. The optimal treatment may vary depending on the cause and condition of the pain, so a careful approach through consultation with a specialist is required. Additionally, appropriate rehabilitation therapy and lifestyle improvements after the procedure are important. These are essential to maximize treatment effects and prevent recurrence.

Microarterial Embolization is opening a new horizon in pain treatment. It is recognized in the medical community for its effectiveness and safety as a method to fundamentally resolve pain without the side effects of medication or surgery. It is expected that as further research and clinical trials expand its application range, more patients will benefit.

Pain is no longer something to endure but a target for treatment. Patients suffering from chronic pain should consider microarterial embolization as a new alternative. We hope they choose the appropriate treatment through specialist consultation and regain a healthy life.

Yoon-kyu Song, Chief of Vascular Center, SMG Yonsei Hospital (Interventional Radiology Specialist)