Testing a minimally invasive procedure to reduce knee pain from osteoarthritis

Plain-English translation of NCT07140367 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated April 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

What is this trial?

This trial is testing a procedure called transarterial microembolization (TAME) for people with knee osteoarthritis and ongoing pain. The procedure involves using a minimally invasive technique to reduce blood flow to inflamed areas of the knee joint. Researchers want to see if this treatment can relieve pain in patients whose symptoms haven't improved with standard therapies like physical therapy, medications, or injections.

Many people with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis suffer from chronic pain that doesn't respond well to conventional treatments like exercise, medications, or injections. Because some patients cannot have or do not want knee replacement surgery, researchers are studying whether this new minimally invasive procedure can offer relief and improve quality of life for these patients.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are over 40 years old
you have been diagnosed with moderate knee osteoarthritis (grade 2-3) and have already been told you might need knee replacement surgery
you have had knee pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammatory symptoms (like night pain or pain at rest) for months
your knee pain is moderate to severe and significantly limits your daily activities
you have tried at least 3 months of standard treatments (physical therapy, pain medications, injections, or other therapies) without adequate relief
you are able to give informed consent and have been approved by the study team at their internal review meeting

You likely don't qualify if…

you have had major knee surgery in the past 12 months
you have had a significant knee injury or trauma in the past 6 months
you are currently taking blood-thinning medications that cannot be safely stopped
you have a known allergy to iodinated contrast (used during the procedure)
you have severe kidney disease, abnormal blood counts, or active cancer

What participation looks like

If you join this study, you will receive the microembolization procedure, which is a minimally invasive treatment performed through a small catheter inserted into an artery near your knee. The procedure aims to reduce blood flow to inflamed joint tissue to ease your pain. After treatment, you will be monitored and evaluated to track how much your pain and function improve over time.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 12, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

Italy

IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Bologna