Shoulder Embolization: A Breakthrough for Frozen Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Pain

If you've ever struggled to reach overhead, fasten a seatbelt, or sleep on your side because of shoulder pain, you know how disruptive it can be. For many patients, the standard treatment path looks like this: rest, physical therapy, steroid injections, and — when nothing else works — surgery.

But there's now a new option in the middle of that path: Shoulder Artery Embolization.

What Is Shoulder Embolization?

Shoulder embolization is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure performed by an interventional radiologist. Using a small catheter inserted through the wrist or groin, our specialist identifies the abnormal blood vessels feeding chronic inflammation in the shoulder joint and gently blocks them with tiny particles.

By cutting off the inflammatory blood supply, the procedure calms down the pain-generating tissue and allows the joint to heal — without cutting, stitches, or general anesthesia.

Who Is It For?

Shoulder embolization may be a good fit if you have:

• Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) that hasn't improved with PT
• Chronic rotator cuff pain without a full tear requiring surgery
• Shoulder bursitis or tendinopathy that keeps coming back
• Pain that hasn't responded to steroid injections
• A desire to avoid or delay shoulder surgery

What to Expect

The procedure takes about 60–90 minutes and is performed as an outpatient. Most patients go home the same day with just a small bandage at the catheter site. Many notice meaningful pain relief within 2 to 6 weeks, with continued improvement over several months.

A New Option Right Here in Kansas City

You no longer have to travel to a major academic center to access this innovative treatment. Restore Muscle and Joint now offers shoulder embolization in our Vascular Pain Intervention Suite in the Northland.

Call 816-452-4488 to schedule a free consultation and find out if shoulder embolization could be your path back to a pain-free life.