Key facts
- What it covers: image-guided treatments for chronic joint, spine, tendon and nerve-related pain — an alternative or complement to surgery.
- How it's delivered: ultrasound, fluoroscopy (X-ray), or CT guidance, so treatment is confirmed precisely at the target rather than relying on landmarks.
- Who performs it: interventional radiologists — specialists in image-guided, minimally invasive procedures.
- Typical setting: day procedures, usually under local anaesthetic with or without light sedation.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) intervention is an umbrella term for image-guided, minimally invasive procedures used to diagnose and treat pain arising from joints, tendons, nerves, and the spine. Rather than open surgery, these procedures use a needle or small catheter, guided in real time by ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or CT, to deliver treatment precisely to the source of pain.
For many patients, MSK interventions sit in the space between conservative management — physiotherapy, medication, activity modification — and more invasive surgical options like joint replacement. They can be used diagnostically (to confirm exactly where pain is coming from), therapeutically (to treat the underlying inflammation or pain source directly), or as a bridge for patients who aren't yet ready for, or aren't suitable for, surgery.
The procedures available
Image-guided joint injections
Corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, or PRP delivered precisely into a joint under ultrasound, fluoroscopy or CT guidance.
Learn more →PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy
A concentrated preparation of the patient's own platelets, used mainly for knee osteoarthritis and select tendon conditions.
Learn more →Genicular artery embolisation (GAE)
A day-procedure, image-guided alternative to knee replacement for osteoarthritis pain — targets the inflamed joint lining directly.
Learn more →Spinal injections & interventions
Facet joint injections, medial branch blocks, and perineural injections — including a transfacet lumbar approach — for spine and nerve-related pain.
Learn more →Hyaluronic acid injections
Viscosupplementation, including TGA-approved Euflexxa, for knee osteoarthritis — with comparable or better durability than corticosteroid.
Learn more →Chronic pain management procedures
Diagnostic nerve blocks and radiofrequency neurotomy for chronic joint and spinal pain driven by a specific nerve.
Learn more →Also within this category: hyaluronic acid injections and chronic pain management procedures, including nerve-targeted treatments — discussed individually in consultation based on the specific condition.
Who these procedures suit
- Chronic joint pain from osteoarthritis, not yet responding adequately to conservative treatment
- Chronic back, neck, or radicular (nerve-related) pain
- Tendon conditions where a targeted, image-guided approach adds precision over a landmark-based injection
- Patients wanting to explore non-surgical options before, or instead of, joint replacement or spinal surgery
Suitability always depends on individual imaging, history and examination — the right procedure, if any, is determined in consultation rather than from a description online.
Common questions
What is a musculoskeletal (MSK) intervention?
A musculoskeletal intervention is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to diagnose or treat pain arising from a joint, tendon, nerve, or the spine — as an alternative or complement to surgery, medication, or physiotherapy alone.
What's the difference between an MSK intervention and orthopaedic surgery?
MSK interventions are performed through a needle or small catheter under image guidance, without open surgical incisions, general anaesthetic in most cases, or removal of joint structures. They're generally day procedures with a shorter recovery than surgery.
Who performs musculoskeletal interventions?
Interventional radiologists are specialists trained in image-guided procedures — using ultrasound, fluoroscopy (X-ray) or CT to precisely target the treatment site.
Next step
Wondering what applies to you?
Ask your GP about a referral, or get in touch directly to discuss your options.
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