Non-Surgical Option
Designed for chronic knee pain without traditional open surgery
Stembo™ for Chronic Knee Pain
Take the next step toward less knee pain. Schedule a No-Obligation Visit Today. Stembo™ is a minimally invasive, image-guided regenerative therapy for patients seeking knee pain relief without steroid injections or surgery. Available exclusively at Ally Vascular in San Antonio, Stembo may be an option for people living with ongoing knee pain from arthritis, inflammation, soft-tissue degeneration, or injury.
Image-Guided Precision
Performed through a tiny access point using live imaging
San Antonio Care
Available exclusively at Ally Vascular
Board-Certified Physician
20+ Years Experience
Outpatient Clinic
Minimally Invasive
San Antonio, Texas
Non-surgical knee pain care
A Non-Surgical Option for Knee Pain, Arthritis, and Inflammation
Chronic knee pain can make everyday activities harder, from walking and climbing stairs to staying active with family, work, and hobbies.
For patients who have not found enough relief from medication, steroid injections, physical therapy, or other conservative treatments, Stembo offers a minimally invasive option worth discussing with a specialist.
Stembo is a physician-administered regenerative therapy performed by an interventional radiologist at Ally Vascular in San Antonio.
How Stembo Works
Stembo is different from a traditional knee injection. Instead of placing material directly into the knee joint, Dr. Rao uses live imaging to guide the procedure through tiny blood vessels near the affected knee.
This image-guided approach allows the treatment to be delivered in a targeted way without using steroids. The goal is to reach the area associated with your knee pain using a minimally invasive technique performed through a small entry point.
Because every patient’s knee condition is different, a consultation is needed to determine whether Stembo may be appropriate for your symptoms, imaging, medical history, and treatment goals.
Consultation
Dr. Rao reviews your symptoms, imaging, medical history, and treatment goals.
Live Imaging
The procedure is guided through tiny blood vessels near the affected knee.
Non-Steroidal Approach
Treatment is delivered in a targeted way without using steroids.
Return Home
Stembo is minimally invasive and most patients can return home the same day.
Why Consider Stembo for Chronic Knee Pain?
Stembo is designed for patients who want to explore non-surgical treatment options for knee pain before considering more invasive procedures. Potential benefits may include:
Non-surgical option for knee pain
A minimally invasive approach for patients exploring options beyond surgery.
Non-Steroidal Injection Approach
May be worth discussing if you want options beyond repeated steroid injections.
Image-Guided Precision
Designed to reach the area associated with chronic knee pain using live imaging.
Little to No Downtime
Stembo is performed through a tiny access point and most patients return home the same day.
Knee Conditions Stembo May Help Address
Stembo may be considered for patients with chronic knee pain due to structural changes, inflammation, or soft-tissue degeneration. During your consultation, Dr. Rao will review your symptoms and imaging to better understand the cause of your pain.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis can develop as cartilage and joint tissues wear down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility.
Meniscus Degeneration
Degenerative meniscus changes can contribute to ongoing pain, stiffness, or discomfort with walking, bending, or twisting.
Ligament-Related Knee Pain
Ligament injuries or degeneration may contribute to instability, pain, and difficulty with activity.
Chronic Knee Inflammation
Ongoing inflammation around the knee can make pain worse and limit movement.
Performed at Ally Vascular
Sandeep Rao, MD
Board-Certified Vascular & Interventional RadiologistStembo is performed by Dr. Sandeep Rao, a board-certified Interventional Radiologist with more than 20 years of experience performing minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. His experience with image-guided vascular techniques allows him to deliver Stembo with precision and patient-specific planning.
- Board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist
- More than 20 years in practice
- Extensive experience with embolization procedures
- Knee embolization experience since 2020
- STEMbo currently offered in San Antonio, Texas
Is Stembo Right for You?
If you are living with chronic knee pain and want to learn about minimally invasive, non-surgical knee pain treatment options, Stembo may be worth discussing with a specialist.
- Have chronic knee pain that affects daily activities
- Have been diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, inflammation, meniscus degeneration, or ligament-related knee issues
- Want to explore options beyond medication or steroid injections
- Are looking for a minimally invasive alternative to surgery
- Want care from a specialist experienced in image-guided procedures
Schedule a consultation at Ally Vascular in San Antonio to learn whether Stembo may be appropriate for you.
Convenient. Outpatient. Local.
Stembo is currently offered exclusively at the Ally Vascular clinic in San Antonio, Texas. Schedule a consultation to learn whether Stembo may be appropriate for your symptoms, imaging, medical history, and treatment goals.
Ally Vascular & Pain Centers600 E Amber St #107San Antonio, TX 78221Get Directions
Frequently Asked Questions About Stembo
What is Stembo?
Stembo is a physician-administered regenerative therapy for chronic knee pain. It uses a minimally invasive, image-guided approach to reach targeted arteries near the affected knee without placing material directly into the joint space.
Is Stembo a steroid injection?
No. Stembo uses a non-steroidal injection approach. It may be worth discussing if you are looking for options beyond ongoing medication, steroid injections, or surgery.
Is Stembo surgery?
No. Stembo is not traditional surgery. It is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a tiny access point, guided by live imaging. Most patients can return home the same day.
What knee conditions may Stembo be used for?
Stembo may be considered for patients with chronic knee pain related to osteoarthritis, meniscus degeneration, ligament injuries, chronic inflammation, or ongoing knee pain that has not improved with conservative care.
How is Stembo different from a traditional knee injection?
Traditional knee injections are usually placed directly into the knee joint. Stembo uses an image-guided vascular approach, enabling the physician to access tiny blood vessels near the affected knee and deliver treatment more precisely.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for Stembo?
The best way to know is to schedule a consultation with Ally Vascular. The team will review your symptoms, imaging, medical history, previous treatments, and goals to determine whether Stembo may be appropriate for you.
Where is Stembo available?
Stembo is currently offered exclusively at Ally Vascular in San Antonio, Texas.
Does Stembo require downtime?
Stembo is designed as a minimally invasive procedure with little to no downtime compared with traditional surgery. Your care team will explain what to expect before and after the procedure based on your specific situation.
Take the Next Step Toward Less Knee Pain
Schedule a consultation at Ally Vascular in San Antonio to learn whether Stembo may be appropriate for you.