Interventional Radiology

If you struggle with knee pain, hemorrhoids, uterine fibroids, or similar conditions, you may be a candidate for interventional radiology. At Minimally Invasive Medical Group, which has offices in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, and Irvine, California, the highly skilled surgical team offers this service to diagnose and treat such conditions using a minimally invasive approach without extensive downtime. Schedule an evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is interventional radiology?

Interventional radiology at Minimally Invasive Medical Group is used to diagnose and treat specific diseases by inserting catheters, wires, or other small tools into the body. It uses live X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasound images to guide treatments inside your body.

What are the benefits of interventional radiology?

The advantages of interventional radiology include:

• Reduced need for general anesthesia
• Minimal downtime
• Lower risk of complications
• Less invasive 
• Minimal bleeding
• Reduced scarring
• Highly effective results

Interventional radiology procedures are much less invasive than traditional surgeries, meaning you can avoid long recoveries and high costs. 

Which conditions can interventional radiology treat?

Interventional radiology at Minimally Invasive Medical Group can diagnose and help treat the following conditions and more:

Knee pain

Interventional radiology helps pinpoint the cause of knee pain and treats it by targeting inflammation. Your interventional radiologist uses imaging to guide a catheter into targeted arteries in the knee, where they inject small particles that reduce blood supply, inflammation, and painful symptoms.

Uterine fibroids

Minimally Invasive Medical Group offers uterine fibroid embolization, a procedure your interventional radiologist uses to shrink fibroids (non-cancerous tumors in the uterus) and reduce bothersome symptoms. They inject small particles to block the blood supply to fibroids. 

Hemorrhoids

Treating hemorrhoids at Minimally Invasive Medical Group involves non-surgical hemorrhoid embolization, also called hemorrhoidal artery embolization. Your interventional radiologist inserts particles into blood vessels that supply hemorrhoids to block blood flow so they shrink.  

What should I expect during interventional radiology procedures?

Follow all instructions before undergoing an interventional radiology procedure. Your specialist may ask you to avoid eating or drinking before the procedure. They might give you local anesthesia to numb the treatment area and sedation.

Your specialist makes a tiny incision, inserts a thin catheter into the treatment area, and injects dye to guide treatment. Using X-rays or other imaging, they identify arteries that need to be blocked off, inject small particles into blood vessels, and remove the catheter.

What happens after interventional radiology treatment?

You’ll go to a recovery room after an interventional radiology procedure. Recovery varies by the type of procedure you’ve undergone. Get plenty of rest, take medications as directed, and follow up with the Minimally Invasive Medical Group experts.

Schedule an interventional radiology evaluation at Minimally Invasive Medical Group by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.