What Is an Embolization?
A Modern, Minimally Invasive Alternative to Surgery
Embolization is a cutting-edge medical therapy that offers targeted, minimally invasive treatment for a wide range of health conditions—without the need for major surgery. Originally developed in 1972 to treat life-threatening bleeding from gastric ulcers, embolization has evolved dramatically over the decades. Once limited to hospital-based emergency procedures, it is now commonly and safely performed in outpatient centers like ours with shorter recovery times and fewer complications.
At Vascular & Embolization Specialists in Cocoa Beach, FL, we use embolization to treat conditions ranging from joint pain to prostate enlargement, uterine fibroids, hemorrhoids, and more. The result? Faster recovery, fewer risks, and effective symptom relief—without a scalpel.
Watch Dr. Mittleiders Video for How Embolization Works
How Embolization Works
Embolization is similar in technique to a heart catheterization. A tiny tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery, usually in the groin or wrist. Through this tube, an even smaller microcatheter—smaller than the tip of a pen—is carefully guided using real-time X-ray imaging to the area of the body being treated.
Once positioned, the microcatheter delivers microscopic beads (also called embolic agents) into the blood vessels that supply circulation to the target tissue. These beads block or reduce blood flow to that specific area, which leads to a therapeutic effect such as shrinking tissue, reducing inflammation, or eliminating problematic growths.
Conditions Commonly Treated with Embolization
Embolization is gaining widespread recognition for its effectiveness in treating:
Knee Pain
Knee embolization for osteoarthritis pain provides a minimally invasive, effective treatment to reduce inflammation and improve knee function.
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Shoulder Pain
Find relief from chronic shoulder pain with Dr. Mittleider’s effective, minimally invasive shoulder embolization procedure.
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Enlarged Prostate
Choose prostate embolization for a non-surgical solution to an enlarged prostate with fewer risks and proven effectiveness.
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Hemorrhoids
Get lasting hemorrhoid relief with minimal risk and a quick recovery.
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Uterine Fibroids & Adenomyosis
UFE nonsurgically treats fibroids, eases heavy periods and pelvic pain, and preserves the uterus.
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Plantar Fasciitis Embolization
PFE provides lasting relief from chronic heel pain.
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Why Choose Embolization?
Minimally Invasive
No large incisions, no general anesthesia—just a tiny entry point and precise treatment.
Faster Recovery
Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities within days—not weeks.
Lower Risk
Fewer complications and shorter downtime compared to traditional surgery.
Targeted Precision
Delivers therapy directly to the problem area while preserving healthy surrounding tissue.
Outpatient Convenience
Most embolization procedures are safely performed in our comfortable outpatient setting—no hospital stay required.
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Empowering Your Health Choices
At Vascular & Embolization Specialists, we believe in empowering patients through education and partnership. Our expert team, led by Dr. Derek Mittleider, will guide you through every step of your care—explaining your options, answering your questions, and delivering treatment with compassion and precision.
If you’re exploring a less invasive option to treat chronic pain, vascular conditions, or organ enlargement, embolization may be the right solution for you.