"The Leg Pain Clinic is amazing!! I walked out with less pain than I walked in with! Dr. Anwar is amazing and I love his bedside manner!! I didn't want another knee replacement surgery and now I don't have to get one!!"
Hand Arthritis
Image-guided embolization reduces joint inflammation in the hands and fingers. No surgery, same-day recovery.
Treatable without surgery
Understanding your condition
Hand Arthritis explained
Hand arthritis affects everyday function in a way few other conditions do, making it difficult to open jars, grip tools, button a shirt, or turn a key. It commonly affects the finger joints and the base of the thumb. When inflammation in these small joints becomes persistent, new blood vessels grow into the tissue and sustain the pain. Dr. Anwer, a Stanford Fellowship trained interventional radiologist, uses embolization to reduce this abnormal blood flow and relieve inflammation without surgery, as an outpatient with no general anesthesia and same-day recovery.
Most patients return to normal activity within 24 to 48 hours, with full results in 4 to 8 weeks.
Dr. Anwer's approach
Dr. Anwer performs hand embolization as an outpatient procedure using X-ray guidance. A tiny catheter is inserted through a pinhole in the wrist, and microscopic particles are injected to reduce blood flow to the inflamed joint tissue in the hand. The procedure takes 45 minutes and you go home the same day.
Treatable without surgery
Key facts
Hand embolization is performed as an outpatient procedure in 45 minutes
Performed under X-ray guidance through a pinhole in the wrist
No general anesthesia and no hospital admission required
Most patients walk out the same day after the procedure
Pain relief typically begins within two to four weeks
Results continue to improve over four to eight weeks
Covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans
Treatment overview
Is this the right treatment for you?
Every patient is different. These four areas will help you understand whether Hand Arthritis treatment at LPVI is the right fit.
Who qualifies
Am I a good candidate?
Embolization is best suited to patients with hand arthritis who have tried conservative treatment without lasting relief. That usually means anti-inflammatory medication, splinting, hand therapy, or injections that helped for a while but stopped working. Good candidates are people whose grip strength or dexterity is limiting daily tasks and work, and who want to avoid joint fusion or replacement surgery. Patients who rely on their hands professionally are often especially motivated. Dr. Anwer reviews your imaging personally and will tell you honestly if you are a good fit.
Common symptoms
Symptoms we treat
The symptoms we treat center on the finger joints and the base of the thumb. Most patients describe aching or stiffness that is worst in the morning or after rest, losing grip strength, and struggling with jar lids, buttons, keys, or tools. Pain often worsens through the day with use. Swelling, warmth, or a grinding sensation in the joint is common, and many patients notice the base of the thumb becoming tender or enlarged. You do not need every symptom on this list. If hand pain and stiffness have not responded to splinting, therapy, or injections, it is worth a conversation.
What to expect
The procedure
Hand embolization is performed as an outpatient procedure under X-ray guidance. Dr. Anwer inserts a thin catheter through a pinhole in the wrist and navigates it to the small arteries supplying the inflamed joint tissue in the hand. Microscopic particles are then injected to reduce blood flow to those vessels. Because the target joints are small and superficial, the approach is precise and well tolerated. There is no surgical incision, no general anesthesia, and no hospital admission. The procedure typically takes about 45 minutes and you go home the same day.
After treatment
Recovery and results
Most patients return to light activity the same day or the day after hand embolization. Mild soreness at the wrist entry site is normal for a day or two. Pain relief is gradual rather than immediate: most patients begin noticing improvement in stiffness and grip comfort within two to four weeks as inflammation decreases, with results continuing over four to eight weeks. Recovery varies with the severity of arthritis and how long it has been present. Dr. Anwer follows up personally to track your progress.
Do any of these sound familiar?
Common symptoms
You do not need all of these. Even two or three are worth discussing with Dr. Anwer at your first consultation.
Stiff, aching finger joints or pain at the base of the thumb
Loss of grip strength or difficulty opening jars and turning keys
Morning stiffness in the hands that eases after moving around
Pain that worsens through the day with use
Swelling, warmth, or a grinding sensation in the finger joints
Hand pain that has not responded to splinting, therapy, or injections
Our approach
How Dr. Anwer treats hand arthritis
Dr. Anwer performs hand embolization as an outpatient procedure using X-ray guidance. A tiny catheter is inserted through a pinhole in the wrist, and microscopic particles are injected to reduce blood flow to the inflamed joint tissue in the hand. The procedure takes 45 minutes and you go home the same day.
Consultation with Dr. Anwer, imaging review and diagnosis
Personalized embolization treatment plan, procedure date confirmed
Outpatient embolization procedure, 45 minutes, same-day discharge
Follow-up with Dr. Anwer, progress reviewed over the following weeks
Why choose this approach
Minimally invasive vs conventional treatment
Conventional approach
Conventional treatment for hand arthritis usually begins with anti-inflammatory medication, splinting, and hand therapy, then progresses to cortisone injections and eventually to surgery such as joint fusion or replacement. These treatments can help, but injections often provide only temporary relief, and hand surgery involves significant recovery time and permanent changes to how the joint functions, which matters enormously for people who rely on their hands.
- Major surgery or invasive procedure
- General anesthesia required
- Hospital stay of 1 to 5 days
- Recovery of 4 to 12 weeks
Dr. Anwer's approach at LPVI
Dr. Anwer takes a different approach. Rather than managing symptoms or operating on the joint, embolization targets the abnormal blood vessels that sustain the inflammation driving your pain. It is performed through a pinhole at the wrist under X-ray guidance, with no general anesthesia and same-day discharge. For patients who need their hands for work or daily independence, addressing the inflammation without surgical downtime is a meaningful difference.
- Outpatient, no hospital admission
- Light sedation or local anesthesia
- Pinhole incision, no stitches
- Same-day or next-day recovery
Hand arthritis is often managed rather than treated. Patients quietly adapt, buy jar openers, and stop doing things they enjoy, assuming nothing more can be done. When a patient tells me they can hold their grandchild's hand again without pain, or went back to work with their tools, that is the part of this job I value most.
Patient stories
What our patients are saying
5.0
Based on Google reviews
"Dr. Bilal very professional and awesome physician. My left knee pain went down from 9 to 3. Front staff, nurses, OR staff all were amazing and very professional."
"Brought my mother in law to get help with her knees. She literally could not walk. After procedure she walked to car with minimal discomfort. Each day is getting better and better. I rate the entire place 10 of 10."
"Fantastic doctor, very thorough, explained everything. Staff is outstanding!!! I first heard of them via Facebook and after looking more into it I saw they can treat shoulder pain too. I feel great after my procedure."
"Doctor Anwer and his staff is totally awesome, they are very kind and respectful. Dr. Anwer does amazing work. I love them all."
"Excellent staff and doctor! Excellent care and caring!!! I would recommend this clinic to anyone who is looking for a caring, professional medical team."
"My husband thinks very highly of the doctor. The entire experience from start to finish was professional and compassionate."
"Sabrena Cummings: Fantastic doctor very thorough explained everything. Staff is outstanding!!!"
"The Leg Pain Clinic is amazing!! I walked out with less pain than I walked in with! Dr. Anwar is amazing and I love his bedside manner!! I didn't want another knee replacement surgery and now I don't have to get one!!"
"Dr. Bilal very professional and awesome physician. My left knee pain went down from 9 to 3. Front staff, nurses, OR staff all were amazing and very professional."
"Brought my mother in law to get help with her knees. She literally could not walk. After procedure she walked to car with minimal discomfort. Each day is getting better and better. I rate the entire place 10 of 10."
"Fantastic doctor, very thorough, explained everything. Staff is outstanding!!! I first heard of them via Facebook and after looking more into it I saw they can treat shoulder pain too. I feel great after my procedure."
"Doctor Anwer and his staff is totally awesome, they are very kind and respectful. Dr. Anwer does amazing work. I love them all."
"Excellent staff and doctor! Excellent care and caring!!! I would recommend this clinic to anyone who is looking for a caring, professional medical team."
"My husband thinks very highly of the doctor. The entire experience from start to finish was professional and compassionate."
"Sabrena Cummings: Fantastic doctor very thorough explained everything. Staff is outstanding!!!"
FAQ
Common questions about Hand Arthritis
Hand embolization is covered by most major insurance plans in Houston when hand arthritis has been confirmed and conservative treatments have not provided lasting relief. Our team at LPVI will verify your specific coverage and confirm prior authorization requirements before your consultation. Call us at 713-242-1139 and we will check your benefits and answer any questions about hand arthritis treatment costs in Houston.
Recovery at LPVI is quick. Most patients go home the same day and return to light daily activity within 24 to 48 hours. Some mild soreness at the wrist entry site is possible for a day or two. Joint pain and stiffness improve progressively over two to four weeks as the abnormal blood vessels close and inflammation settles, with results continuing to develop over four to eight weeks.
Embolization can treat the finger joints and the base of the thumb, which are the most common sites of painful hand arthritis. The principle is the same across these joints: chronic arthritis is sustained in part by abnormal blood vessels that grow into the inflamed tissue, and reducing that blood supply reduces the inflammation driving the pain. Dr. Anwer reviews your imaging and confirms which joints are appropriate to treat at your consultation.
No referral is required to book a consultation at LPVI. You can call 713-242-1139 or request a callback and our team will schedule you directly. If you have recent hand imaging, bring it or have it sent to us, as Dr. Anwer reviews every patient's imaging personally before recommending treatment. Same-week appointments are often available at both our Cy-Fair and Gulf Freeway locations.
Many patients find that grip comfort and hand function improve as inflammation decreases, because much of the difficulty gripping comes from pain and swelling rather than the joint structure itself. Embolization does not reverse cartilage damage that has already occurred, so it is not a cure for arthritis. What it can do is reduce the inflammatory component that drives much of the day-to-day pain and stiffness. Dr. Anwer will discuss realistic expectations for your specific case.
Results are gradual rather than immediate. Most patients begin noticing improvement in joint pain and stiffness within two to four weeks as inflammation decreases, with continued progress over the following four to eight weeks. Some patients respond faster and others more gradually, depending on the severity of the arthritis and how long it has been established. Dr. Anwer follows up personally to track your progress.
Coverage
We accept most major insurance plans
Dr. Bilal Anwer treats hand arthritis at two Houston-area locations: 11240 FM 1960 Rd W Suite 406, Houston TX 77065 in Cy-Fair, and 12825 Gulf Freeway, Houston TX 77034 near Webster and Clear Lake. Patients travel from Cypress, Jersey Village, Katy, Pearland, Friendswood, and across Greater Houston for minimally invasive hand arthritis treatment. Most major insurance accepted including Medicare, BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Humana. No referral required. Same-day appointments available. Call 713-242-1139.
Take the next step
Ready to use your hands comfortably again?
Speak with Dr. Anwer about your hand arthritis. Same-day appointments available. Most insurance accepted.
This information is not a medical diagnosis. A consultation with Dr. Anwer will confirm your treatment options. Individual results may vary.