New Hope for Chronic Pain: Top Doctors to Expand Breakthrough Treatment in US

NEW BALTIMORE, Mich. – April 10, 2026 – For the millions of Americans living with the daily burden of chronic musculoskeletal pain, a significant new initiative promises to expand access to a groundbreaking, minimally invasive therapy. CUC America, a provider of advanced interventional care, has announced a landmark collaboration with two of the world’s leading experts in embolotherapy: Dr. Yuji Okuno, the Japanese pioneer who developed the procedure, and Dr. Osman Ahmed, a top interventional radiologist in the United States.

The strategic partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of musculoskeletal (MSK) embolization, a procedure that offers relief by targeting inflammation at its source. By combining world-class clinical expertise with a scalable network of outpatient clinics, the collaboration seeks to establish a new standard of care for conditions like osteoarthritis, potentially changing the lives of patients who have exhausted traditional treatment options.

Addressing a Silent Epidemic

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is one of the most pervasive and costly health issues in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 20% of U.S. adults—more than 51 million people—suffer from chronic pain. The economic toll is staggering, with MSK conditions costing the nation nearly a trillion dollars annually in treatment and lost productivity.

For many, the current treatment pathway is a frustrating cycle of oral medications, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections that often provide only temporary relief. When these fail, the next step is frequently invasive surgery, such as a total knee replacement—a major procedure performed on over 700,000 Americans each year, involving significant cost, risk, and a lengthy recovery. This leaves a vast population in a state of 'unmet medical need,' searching for effective, less burdensome alternatives.

MSK embolization represents a paradigm shift. Instead of masking pain or replacing a joint, it addresses the underlying inflammation. The procedure offers a promising alternative for patients who are not surgical candidates or wish to avoid major surgery.

A Minimally Invasive Breakthrough

At the heart of this initiative is a procedure known as genicular artery embolization (GAE), first developed by Dr. Okuno for chronic knee pain. The therapy is based on the discovery that chronic inflammation is often fueled by the growth of abnormal, tiny blood vessels—or neovessels—in the joint lining. These vessels transport inflammatory cells that cause pain and stiffness.

During the minimally invasive GAE procedure, an interventional radiologist inserts a microcatheter, often through the wrist or groin, and navigates it to the arteries supplying the inflamed area of the joint. Microscopic particles are then injected to block the abnormal blood vessels, reducing blood flow and thereby quelling the inflammation. Patients typically return home the same day with minimal recovery time.

Clinical evidence for GAE is growing rapidly. A recent meta-analysis of multiple studies found that patients experienced a profound reduction in pain and a significant improvement in function, with benefits sustained for up to two years. The procedure is considered safe, with most side effects being minor and transient, such as temporary skin discoloration. Crucially, GAE does not alter the joint's structure, preserving the option for future treatments, including surgery, if needed.

The Outpatient Revolution: Scaling Access Through OBLs

Making this advanced procedure widely available requires more than just clinical expertise; it demands an innovative delivery model. CUC America's strategy hinges on its expanding national network of Office-Based Laboratories (OBLs). These modern, patient-centered facilities are designed to perform advanced interventional procedures outside the costly and complex hospital environment.

Unlike traditional hospitals or even Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), OBLs operate with lower overhead, which can translate into more cost-effective care. By leveraging this model, CUC America aims to create a scalable platform that brings sophisticated treatments like GAE to communities across the country, improving both access and affordability.

"Dr. Okuno's pioneering work and Dr. Ahmed's leadership in interventional radiology represent a powerful combination of global innovation and clinical excellence," said Keita Hamaguchi, President and CEO of CUC America. "These collaborations significantly strengthen our ability to build a scalable platform that delivers advanced, minimally invasive care while supporting physician development and improving patient outcomes."

Forging a New Standard of Care

The collaboration's success depends on ensuring that the procedure is performed safely and consistently to the highest standards. This is where the partnership between Dr. Okuno and Dr. Ahmed becomes critical. Dr. Okuno, through an advisory agreement, will guide the development of medical quality protocols, physician training programs, and clinical oversight systems to standardize the therapy across CUC America’s network.

"I am pleased to collaborate with CUC America to expand access to embolotherapy for patients in the United States," stated Dr. Okuno. "By sharing clinical knowledge and supporting physician development, we can help establish a new standard of care and improve quality of life for patients suffering from chronic pain."

Dr. Ahmed, a Professor of Radiology at the University of Utah and a leader in U.S.-based GAE research, brings essential experience in adapting and validating the procedure within the American healthcare system. His involvement ensures the platform is built on a foundation of rigorous clinical evidence and best practices.

"Our goal is to expand access to minimally invasive therapies that can meaningfully improve patients' quality of life," commented Dr. Ahmed. "By combining clinical innovation with a scalable care model, we have an opportunity to redefine how musculoskeletal conditions are treated and bring these advanced options to a much broader population."

By creating structured education and certification pathways, the initiative aims to build a network of highly skilled physicians committed to advancing this new frontier in pain management. This focus on quality and training is designed to build trust among both patients and the broader medical community, paving the way for GAE to become a mainstream option for chronic pain relief.