719 - Shoulder Embolization for Adhesive Capsulitis and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Comprehensive Review

Monday, April 13, 2026

5:39 PM - 5:45 PM ET

Author/Co-author(s)

MH

Mohammed Hayat, MD, BS, MS

Interventional Radiology Fellow
Stanford Healthcare, United States

Abstract Presenter(s)

PA

Pascal Acree, MD

Resident Physician
Stanford Health Care, United States

Author/Co-author(s)

MN

Michael Novack, MD

Interventional Radiology Junior Fellow
Stanford Health Care, United States
SK

Sirish Kishore, MD

Clinical Associate Professor
Stanford University/Palo Alto Veterans Affairs HCS, United States

Learning Objectives:

Understand joint embolization principles for arthritis patients.

Familiarize shoulder arterial anatomy for joint embolization.

Recognize angiography's role in diagnosing/guiding joint embolization procedures.

Explore risks, benefits, and limitations of joint embolization for arthritis patients.

Background: Arthritis, causing joint inflammation and pain, impairs quality of life. The shoulder, a complex joint, is susceptible to arthritis. Traditional treatments often focus on symptom management, while joint embolization offers an alternative for refractory or severe arthritis. This procedure targets blood vessels supplying the affected joint, reducing blood flow and inflammation.

Clinical Findings/Procedure Details: Arterial Anatomy: The shoulder's blood supply comes primarily from the axillary, anterior humeral circumflex, posterior humeral circumflex, proximal brachial, and profunda brachii arteries.

Angiography: Visualizes shoulder blood vessels using contrast agents and X-rays, identifying abnormal blood flow patterns.

Joint Embolization Techniques:

Transarterial Embolization: Injects embolic agents into joint-supplying arteries.

Radiofrequency Ablation: Uses radiofrequency energy to destroy blood vessels.

Chemical Embolization: Injects chemical agents to induce inflammation and thrombosis.

Procedural Steps:

Preprocedural Preparation: Medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies.

Anesthesia: Moderate sedation versus general anesthesia.

Arterial Access: A catheter is inserted into a peripheral artery, advanced to the affected joint.

Angiography: Contrast agent is injected to visualize blood vessels.

Embolization: Embolic agent is injected into target arteries, occluding blood flow.

Closure: Arterial access site is closed using mechanical compression or sutures.

Conclusion and/or Teaching Points: Joint embolization offers a promising therapeutic option for patients with refractory or severe arthritis of the shoulder. Clinicians that understand the arterial anatomy and employ appropriate techniques can effectively target the affected joint to potentially improve patient outcomes.