Actively Recruiting
Perfusion MRI-targeted Joint Embolization for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain of the Shoulder, Hip and Knee
Led by Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research · Updated on 2025-08-07
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
159 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
P
Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research
Lead Sponsor
V
Varian Medical Systems
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
In this work the investigators will study the relationship between chronic musculoskeletal pain and abnormal blood flow (neovascularity) around the shoulder, hip and knee. Veterans with as history of chronic shoulder, hip or knee pain and mild/moderate joint degenerative changes will be potential study subjects. Blood flow around joints will be evaluated using perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants with demonstrably abnormal blood flow around their painful joint will be eligible for enrollment in a pilot study of joint embolization to treat their pain. Participants who choose to not undergo treatment will be re-assessed with MRI after one year to characterize the natural history of joint neovascularity and its relationship to pain.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Perfusion MRI-targeted Joint Embolization for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain of the Shoulder, Hip and Knee
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Must be a Veteran receiving care in the VA system
- History of chronic shoulder, hip, or knee pain lasting at least 1 year
- Mild to moderate joint degeneration on prior imaging (X-ray, CT, or MRI)
- At least one failed primary treatment for chronic pain (e.g., physical therapy, NSAIDs, steroid injection)
- MRI of the painful joint ordered by a clinical provider
- For Therapeutic Arm: enrolled in Diagnostic Arm and undergone perfusion MRI
- For Therapeutic Arm: evidence of abnormal blood flow (peri-articular hypervascularity) on perfusion MRI
You will not qualify if you...
- Acute injury within the past 12 weeks
- Age under 25
- Severe joint degeneration of shoulder, hip, or knee
- History of joint replacement or metallic implant in the painful joint
- Severe allergy to gadolinium contrast
- Severe kidney disease or dialysis
- Malignancy with life expectancy less than one year or bone metastasis
- Current pregnancy
- Diagnosed cognitive impairment
- For Therapeutic Arm: severe allergy to iodinated contrast
- Severe coronary or peripheral arterial disease
- Blood clotting disorders
- Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes or diabetic neuropathy
- History of seizures or severe reaction to sedation
- Prior arterial bypass surgery in upper or lower limbs
- Participation in another interventional trial for chronic joint pain
- No abnormal blood flow on initial perfusion MRI
- All exclusion criteria for Diagnostic Arm
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
VA Palo Alto Healthcare System
Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
E
Eric Bultman, MD, PhD
CONTACT
S
Sirish Kishore, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
2
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