Champion Health System Announces Breakthrough Non Surgical Joint Pain Relief
Champion Health System advances joint pain relief through minimally invasive vascular procedures that reduce inflammation and restore mobility without surgery.
United States, 12th Jan 2026 – For decades, patients suffering from chronic joint pain have been caught in a frustrating cycle. Physical therapy offers limited relief. Injections work temporarily, if at all. Pain medications come with risks. And eventually, many are told that surgery is the only remaining option. At Champion Health System, that narrative is being fundamentally rewritten.
Under the leadership of Dr. Radhakrishnan Ramaraj, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Champion Health System has emerged as a regional leader in non-surgical, image-guided vascular treatments that target the true source of chronic joint pain. Through Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) for knee pain and Musculoskeletal (MSK) Embolization for shoulder pain, plantar fasciitis, and other joint pain treatment, the organization is offering patients lasting relief without hospital admission, major surgery, or prolonged recovery.
This approach is not about temporary fixes. It is about precision medicine, delivered in an outpatient setting, designed to restore movement, independence, and quality of life.
Rethinking Joint Pain at Its Source
Traditional orthopedic care often focuses on the joint surface itself. Cartilage loss, bone changes, or mechanical wear and tear are treated with injections or surgery. However, emerging science has revealed another major contributor to chronic pain: abnormal blood vessels and inflammation within the joint and surrounding tissues.
In conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and chronic overuse injuries, the body develops new, abnormal blood vessels. These vessels are accompanied by sensory nerve fibers that amplify inflammation and pain. Treating the joint alone does not address this underlying vascular portion of the underlying problem.
Champion Health System’s approach differs from the traditional approach mentioned above; by targeting these abnormal blood vessels directly, GAE and MSK Embolization address the root cause of pain, not just the symptoms.
Genicular Artery Embolization: A Breakthrough for Chronic Knee Pain
Genicular Artery Embolization is one of the most significant advances in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in recent years. The procedure is designed for patients with chronic knee pain who have not found relief through physical therapy, injections, or medications and who may be trying to avoid knee replacement surgery.
During GAE, Dr. Ramaraj uses advanced imaging to identify the small arteries around the knee that are fueling inflammation. Through a tiny catheter, embolic material is delivered to selectively reduce blood flow to these abnormal vessels. This leads to a decrease in inflammation and pain while preserving healthy tissue.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, does not require general anesthesia, and typically allows patients to return home the same day. Recovery is rapid, and many patients report meaningful improvement in pain and mobility within weeks and sometimes even within days.
At Champion Health System, GAE has become a powerful alternative for patients who believed surgery was inevitable. For many, it has meant the ability to walk comfortably, sleep without pain, and return to daily activities that had been put on hold for years.
Musculoskeletal Embolization: Expanding Relief Beyond the Knee
While GAE has gained attention for knee osteoarthritis, Musculoskeletal Embolization (MSK) extends the same vascular principles to other joints and soft tissue structures throughout the body.
Champion Health System offers MSK Embolization for chronic pain involving the shoulders, hips, elbows, wrists, fingers, ankles, feet, and spine. These areas are often affected by tendonitis, bursitis, degenerative joint disease, and repetitive stress injuries. In many cases, patients have already tried conservative therapies without success and are either poor surgical candidates or wish to avoid surgery altogether.
MSK Embolization works by identifying and treating the abnormal blood vessels contributing to inflammation in these regions. The procedure is minimally invasive, image-guided, and performed in the same outpatient environment that defines Champion Health System’s model of care.
For patients, the benefits are substantial. Pain is reduced at its source, recovery time is minimal, and the risks associated with open surgery are avoided. Many patients are able to resume normal activities far sooner than they would after traditional orthopedic procedures.
Why the Outpatient Vascular Model Matters
One of the defining strengths of Champion Health System is its ability to deliver hospital-level interventional care outside of the hospital. GAE and MSK Embolization are performed in modern, fully equipped outpatient centers designed for efficiency, comfort, and safety. They have offices in Oxford, Henderson, Raleigh and Dunn, North Carolina.
This model offers several critical advantages. Patients avoid hospital admissions, long wait times, and higher costs. Procedures are performed by fellowship-trained specialists using advanced imaging technology in a controlled, patient-centered environment. Recovery is faster, and the overall experience is less disruptive to daily life.
As Dr. Ramaraj explains, “We’re proving that world-class care doesn’t have to happen in a hospital. With the right expertise and technology, we can bring advanced solutions directly into the community.”
Real Outcomes That Change Lives
The impact of GAE and MSK Embolization at Champion Health System is reflected in the outcomes seen every day. Patients who once struggled to walk, work, or enjoy basic activities are finding relief without surgery. Individuals who had been told their only option was joint replacement are discovering alternatives that preserve their independence.
These procedures are not experimental add-ons. They are carefully selected interventions grounded in evidence, refined through experience, and delivered with precision. Champion Health System has become a trusted referral destination for physicians seeking non-surgical solutions for patients with complex joint pain.
Leadership Rooted in Precision and Compassion
Dr. Radhakrishnan Ramaraj’s background as a board-certified interventional cardiologist brings a unique perspective to musculoskeletal care. His expertise in vascular medicine allows him to see joint pain through a different lens, one that prioritizes blood flow, inflammation, and targeted intervention.
As the founder of Champion Health System, he has built an organization where innovation and compassion coexist. Every decision, from clinic design to procedural selection, is driven by what will best serve the patient.
“We’re not just treating joints,” Dr. Ramaraj says. “We’re restoring mobility, dignity, and confidence. That’s the real goal.”
The Future of Joint Pain Treatment Is Here
Genicular Artery Embolization and Musculoskeletal Embolization represent a shift in how chronic joint pain is understood and treated. They move care away from invasive surgery and toward precise, minimally invasive solutions that address the true drivers of pain.
At Champion Health System, these procedures are not part of a trend. They are part of a long-term vision to redefine musculoskeletal care through outpatient innovation, physician leadership, and patient-first medicine.
For patients living with chronic joint pain, that vision offers something many thought was no longer possible: relief without surgery and a return to an active, fulfilling life.
To learn more about Genicular Artery Embolization and Musculoskeletal Embolization, or to explore whether these treatments may be right for you, visit www.championhealthsystem.com to learn more, schedule an appointment, or hear from real patients who have experienced lasting relief and renewed hope.
Website: www.championhealthsystem.com
Company Details
Organization: Champion Health System
Contact Person: Dr. Radhakrishnan Ramaraj
Website: http://www.championhealthsystem.com
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Release Id: 12012640065