Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
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Rat Model of Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder
Published on: September 28, 2018
Adhesive capsulitis embolization: a narrative review
Ho Kit Kennis Leung1, Ahmad Hussain2, Ana Fernandez-Martinez3
1Department of Interventional Radiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. kennisleungirdr@gmail.com.
Skeletal Radiology
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Adhesive capsulitis embolization (ACE) shows promise for shoulder pain and stiffness by targeting inflammation. Further research is needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness and standardize outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, causes significant pain and restricted motion.
- Abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization) contributes to inflammation in adhesive capsulitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on adhesive capsulitis embolization (ACE).
- To summarize procedural techniques and clinical outcomes of ACE for frozen shoulder.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review of 11 clinical studies involving 422 patients.
- Descriptive summary of procedural details and patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- ACE demonstrated improvements in pain, function, and range of motion.
- No major complications were reported across the reviewed studies.
- Variability in study definitions and outcome measures limited direct comparisons.
Conclusions:
- Early results for ACE in adhesive capsulitis are encouraging.
- Larger, prospective studies with standardized reporting are necessary to establish ACE's definitive role.
