Breakthrough in Arthritis Care: Dr. Sid Rao on Transarterial Embolization

In this episode of The Heart of Innovation, host Kym McNicholas sits down with Dr. Sid Rao, one of the nation's pioneers in transarterial embolization (TAE) — a minimally invasive procedure offering new hope for patients with osteoarthritis. Dr. Rao explains how TAE targets abnormal blood vessels that drive chronic inflammation in the joints, sparing healthy tissue while reducing pain and improving mobility. The discussion explores the procedure's evolution from treating knee arthritis to now addressing hand osteoarthritis, with early data showing up to 70% of patients achieving complete pain relief within six months. Kym also shares her father's experience undergoing the procedure at Vascular Solutions of North Carolina, highlighting the real-world impact of restored function, better sleep, and renewed independence. Together, they discuss patient selection, long-term outcomes, and the growing need for physician training to expand access to this innovative therapy. Keywords: transarterial embolization, osteoarthritis treatment, knee pain relief, hand arthritis, minimally invasive procedure, inflammation, Dr. Sid Rao, Vascular Solutions of North Carolina, The Heart of Innovation Podcast, Kym McNicholas.