Frozen Shoulder

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Interventional Radiology
• Musculoskeletal Diseases

Background:

• Adhesive capsulitis (AC), or frozen shoulder, is a common, painful shoulder condition with a prolonged natural history, often lasting up to 36 months.
• A significant proportion of AC cases are refractory to conventional treatments, leading to persistent deficits.
• The pathophysiology of AC is linked to capsular hypervascularization, suggesting a target for therapeutic intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate transarterial embolization (TAE) as a therapeutic option for patients with refractory adhesive capsulitis.
• To describe the technical aspects of performing TAE for AC.
• To review the existing literature on arterial embolization for the treatment of AC.

Main Methods:

• Transarterial embolization (TAE) procedure targeting abnormal capsular vascularization.
• Review of current literature on arterial embolization for adhesive capsulitis.
• Description of key technical considerations for TAE in AC treatment.

Main Results:

• TAE is emerging as a viable treatment option for refractory cases of adhesive capsulitis.
• The procedure aims to reduce abnormal vascularization, thereby mitigating the inflammatory-fibrotic state characteristic of AC.
• Literature review supports the investigation of TAE in managing persistent AC symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Transarterial embolization presents a promising intervention for adhesive capsulitis unresponsive to standard therapies.
• Understanding the technical nuances of TAE is crucial for its successful application in AC.
• Further research and literature consolidation are needed to establish definitive therapeutic guidelines for TAE in AC.