TAME for Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow — Non-Surgical Treatment for Recurring Elbow Pain
What's included in this package
Medical Procedures
- TransArterial MicroEmbolization (TAME)
- Consultation with a doctor
Duration
- 1 day in the hotel
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included
Transport
Transfer is not included
Implant
No implant applicable
Additional information
Transarterial microembolization (TAME) is a minimally invasive option for chronic tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) that has not settled with rest, bracing, physiotherapy, shockwave or injections — the frustrating elbow pain that improves for a few weeks and then keeps coming back.
Chronic epicondylitis is strongly associated with abnormal microvessels that grow around the degenerated tendon origin and sustain inflammation and pain. In TAME, an interventional specialist advances a thin catheter through a tiny puncture — typically at the wrist or upper arm — under real-time X-ray guidance, and selectively treats the abnormal microvessels supplying the painful tendon origin, while preserving normal circulation. There is no incision, the tendon is not cut or released, and nothing is implanted — a fundamentally different approach from open or arthroscopic tennis-elbow surgery.
Most suitable patients go home the same day, with a far shorter recovery than surgical release and no cast or immobilisation of the arm.
Why patients choose TAME for elbow pain at YOUNIFY Clinic:
• Built for the "my elbow has hurt for over a year" patient — grip pain, mouse/keyboard pain, racquet and golf-swing pain that conservative care has not fixed
• Tiny access point, image-guided precision, tendon preserved
• Same-day discharge for most suitable patients; return to desk work typically quickly (individual advice given at consultation)
• Honest, evidence-based selection: recent imaging and treatment history are reviewed by our specialist team — often before you travel — so you only fly if you are a realistic candidate
• Physician-led team; background includes postdoctoral research at Brigham and Women's Hospital / Harvard Medical School and at Mayo Clinic
• Silom, central Bangkok — five minutes' walk from BTS Sala Daeng, daily 11:00–20:00, English-speaking staff, WhatsApp coordination
International and Muslim-friendly patient support: patients from the GCC and Muslim-majority countries are welcomed — privacy and modesty respected, female physician consultation on request where available, halal dining around Silom, Ramadan-aware scheduling.
TAME does not repair complete tendon tears, treat elbow arthritis or instability, or address nerve entrapment. Final eligibility and expected outcomes are determined after specialist assessment and imaging review.
***Individual results may vary. Please consult a physician before undergoing any procedure.
24/7 Bookimed assistance
- Personal medical coordinator
- Medical travel arrangements — booking of air tickets and hotel rooms at special partner prices
- Patient advocacy during medical travel
Program price
special price valid till September 19, 2026
What's NOT included in this package
Doctor
Dr. Thanakrit Mongklapaiboon is a body interventional radiologist. He earned his M.D. with First Class Honors from the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University in 2014. He completed a Diagnostic Radiology residency at Siriraj in 2020. He then finished a fellowship in Body Interventional Radiology.
His practice focuses on image-guided, minimally invasive therapies. These include interventional oncology and targeted tumor treatments. He also performs musculoskeletal procedures, such as Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) and nerve block or ablation. His work covers pulmonary and other thoracic procedures, and embolotherapy. Many procedures use micro-access pinhole techniques. These allow same-day recovery with minimal downtime.
How are we doing?
About the clinic
TransArterial MicroEmbolization (TAME) is a minimally invasive treatment for chronic pain available at YOUNIFY Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. This advanced procedure targets abnormal blood vessels to treat conditions like frozen shoulder and plantar fasciitis without traditional surgery. Patients benefit from a procedure led by specialized interventional radiologists that typically allows for same-day discharge.
YOUNIFY Clinic holds a 5.0 rating based on 15+ patient reviews. The medical team uses precise imaging to identify and treat the root causes of persistent joint and tendon pain. By focusing on blood vessel overgrowth rather than just masking symptoms, the clinic helps patients find lasting relief from long-term discomfort.
How TAME Works for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain often involves the growth of tiny, abnormal blood vessels alongside nerves. These vessels feed inflammation and keep pain signals active. TAME works by blocking these specific vessels to stop the inflammatory cycle. This method is effective for several conditions, including:
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Plantar fasciitis
- Chronic elbow pain
- Chronic base of thumb pain
The Procedure and Recovery
The treatment uses a tiny catheter about 0.6 mm in size. A doctor inserts this through a needle-sized entry point while using real-time X-ray or ultrasound guidance. Most patients only need a local anesthetic during the process. Because the entry point is so small, there are no large incisions or stitches required.
The technical success rate for this procedure is around 97%. Most patients go home the same day as their treatment. Serious complications are very rare, with less than 0.5% of cases requiring hospital stay. Over 80% of appropriately selected patients report significant improvement in their pain levels following the intervention.
Expert Care at YOUNIFY
Dr. Thanakrit Mongklapaiboon leads the interventional radiology treatments at the clinic. Dr. Thanakrit Mongklapaiboon holds a fellowship in Body Interventional Radiology and is certified by the Thai Board of Diagnostic Radiology. With specialized training in musculoskeletal interventions, Dr. Thanakrit Mongklapaiboon focuses on advanced non-surgical image-guided treatments like nerve blocks and embolotherapy.
To learn more about your options for pain relief, you can leave a request on Bookimed to receive a consultation.
Payment & Rewards
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