"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 & Elbow Arthritis
Image-guided embolization reduces joint inflammation in the hand and elbow. No surgery, same-day recovery.
Treatable without surgery
Understanding your condition
Hand & Elbow Arthritis explained
Arthritis in the hands and elbows affects everyday function in a way few other conditions do, making it difficult to open jars, grip tools, button a shirt, or straighten the arm. When inflammation in these small joints becomes persistent, new blood vessels grow into the tissue and sustain the pain cycle. Dr. Anwer, a Stanford Fellowship trained interventional radiologist, uses embolization to reduce this abnormal blood flow and relieve inflammation without surgery. The procedure is performed as an outpatient with no general anesthesia and same-day recovery. Most patients notice improvement within two to four weeks.
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 and elbow 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. The procedure takes 45 minutes and you go home the same day.
Treatable without surgery
Key facts
Hand and elbow embolization is performed as an outpatient procedure in 45 minute
Performed under X-ray guidance through a pinhole incision
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 & Elbow Arthritis treatment at LPVI is the right fit.
Who qualifies
Am I a good candidate?
Hand and elbow embolization is best suited to patients with arthritis confirmed on imaging who have already tried conservative treatment without lasting relief. That usually means anti-inflammatory medication, splinting, hand therapy, or cortisone injections that helped temporarily but stopped working. Good candidates are people whose grip strength, dexterity, or arm movement is limiting daily tasks and work, and who want to avoid joint fusion or replacement surgery. Patients who rely on their hands for their profession are often especially motivated to avoid surgical downtime.
Common symptoms
Symptoms we treat
The most common symptoms we treat are aching or stiffness in the finger joints, base of the thumb, or elbow that is worst in the morning or after periods of rest. Many patients describe losing grip strength, struggling with jar lids, buttons, keys, or tools, and pain that worsens through the day with use. In the elbow, pain on the outer or inner side that flares with lifting, gripping, or straightening the arm is typical. Swelling, warmth, or a grinding sensation in the joint is common. You do not need every symptom on this list to be a candidate.
What to expect
The procedure
Hand and elbow 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. Microscopic particles are then injected to reduce blood flow to those specific 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 or elbow 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 to develop over four to eight weeks. Individual recovery varies with the severity of arthritis and how long inflammation 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
Elbow pain that flares with lifting, gripping, or straightening the arm
Morning stiffness in the hands that eases after moving around
Swelling, warmth, or a grinding sensation in the joint
Hand or elbow pain that has not responded to splinting, therapy, or injections
Our approach
How Dr. Anwer treats hand & elbow arthritis
Dr. Anwer performs hand and elbow 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. 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 and elbow 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 or elbow 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, avoiding surgical downtime while still addressing the underlying inflammation is a meaningful difference.
- Outpatient, no hospital admission
- Light sedation or local anesthesia
- Pinhole incision, no stitches
- Same-day or next-day recovery
Hand and elbow arthritis is often managed rather than treated. Patients quietly adapt, buy jar openers, stop doing things they enjoy, and assume 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 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 & Elbow Arthritis
Hand and elbow embolization is covered by most major insurance plans in Houston when 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 and elbow arthritis treatment costs.
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.
Yes. The same principle applies to both 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 treats the specific joint causing your symptoms, whether that is the fingers, the base of the thumb, or the elbow. He will review your imaging and confirm which joint or 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 or elbow 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 the inflammation has been established. Dr. Anwer follows up personally to track your progress.
Coverage
We accept most major insurance plans
Dr. Bilal Anwer treats hand and elbow 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, Spring, Katy, The Woodlands, Tomball, Pearland, Friendswood, League City, Clear Lake, and across Greater Houston for minimally invasive hand and elbow arthritis treatment. Most major insurance plans accepted including Medicare, BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Humana.
Take the next step
Ready to use your hands comfortably again?
Speak with Dr. Anwer about your hand & elbow 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.