Successful Case Sharing of Achilles Tendinitis [Traditional Transarterial Microembolization (TAME)] [Simplified Transarterial Microembolization (TAME)]

Author: Bow Wang, M.D.

Mr. C, 60 years old, had been experiencing left posterior ankle pain for over two years. After seeking medical attention, he was diagnosed with Achilles tendinitis and required long-term use of painkillers and pain patches. Although he had undergone shockwave therapy and various injections, the pain persisted. Mr. C's pain index (out of 10) reached a high level of 8.

After consulting with Dr. Lin Weiping at Yu-Tung Clinic, Mr. C was referred to National Cheng Kung University Hospital's Interventional Medical Center and Bow Wang, M.D.'s outpatient clinic for further discussion.

After discussing with Mr. C, Bow Wang, M.D. first performed X-ray guidance [Conventional TAME]. Under local anesthesia, Dr. Wang, guided by X-ray fluoroscopy, punctured the inguinal artery and inserted a microcatheter into the painful area. Then, under arterial angiography, contrast agent was injected to identify newly formed capillary-like vessels; embolizing medication was then injected through the microcatheter to remove these abnormal capillary-like vessels.

After treatment, Mr. C's pain improved, and Bow Wang, M.D. then performed two more ultrasound guidance [Simplified TAME].

In a follow-up four months later, Mr. C informed Dr. Wang that the pain in the back of his ankle had decreased from 8 points to 4 points. He had gone from being unable to walk at all to being able to walk 7,000 steps, which greatly improved his quality of life.