Frozen Shoulder Embolization
Frozen Shoulder Embolization
Frozen Shoulder Embolization is a cutting-edge, non-surgical procedure designed to relieve pain and restore mobility in patients who suffer from adhesive capsulitis, commonly known as frozen shoulder.
Patients often choose Frozen Shoulder Embolization when other treatment methods fail to deliver lasting results. If your shoulder stiffness and pain have significantly impacted your daily life and conservative options haven’t worked, Frozen Shoulder Embolization may be the breakthrough you need.
What Is Frozen Shoulder Embolization?
Frozen Shoulder Embolization is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that reduces shoulder pain and inflammation by blocking the abnormal blood vessels feeding the inflamed shoulder joint capsule.
Under local anesthesia, a small catheter is inserted using X-ray guidance. Tiny, microscopic beads are released into the targeted blood vessels to block them, reducing abnormal blood flow and inflammation in the shoulder joint. The procedure typically takes 60-90 minutes. Most patients go home the same day with minimal recovery time.
How to Prepare
Prior to the procedure, you’ll meet with an interventional radiologist at one of Vascular & Interventional Partners’ Arizona locations. You may undergo an MRI or ultrasound to map blood flow and inflammation in the shoulder. You may be asked not to eat or drink for several hours before the procedure.
On the day of the procedure, you’ll want to wear comfortable clothing and arrange for someone to drive you home. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and light sedation for your comfort.
Like all medical procedures, FSE comes with risks, but it has an even longer list of benefits for most patients.
- Minimally invasive with no large incisions or stitches
- Outpatient procedure
- Return to normal activities in a few days
- Treatment is effective with most patients reporting significant reduction in shoulder pain
- Many experience notable increases in shoulder range of motion
- Mild bruising or soreness at the access site
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye (rare)
- Temporary numbness or tingling in the arm
- Inflection or bleeding
- No guarantee of full symptom relief
Learn More
Vascular & Interventional Partners is home to some of the most highly skilled interventional radiologists in Arizona. We proudly employ cutting-edge technologies to diagnose and treat patients seeking alternatives to surgery.
To learn more about this treatment and our philosophy of care, please call (480) 435-9100.
