The procedure itself is minimally painful. You'll receive local anesthesia at the access site (usually your wrist or arm), so you won't feel the needle insertion. During the procedure, you may experience mild discomfort or a warm sensation when the contrast dye is injected, but most patients describe it as very tolerable. Some patients report feeling their typical shoulder pain briefly during the procedure when the doctor identifies the correct blood vessels - this actually helps confirm they're treating the right area. After the procedure, you may have minor soreness at the access site, similar to having blood drawn.

Shoulder embolization is performed under conscious or "twilight" sedation - you remain awake and alert throughout the procedure, but you feel very at ease and relaxed. This is actually beneficial because your feedback helps the interventional radiologist identify the correct blood vessels to treat. The procedure is well-tolerated by patients using this type of sedation.

The entire procedure typically takes 1-2 hours from start to finish. The actual embolization portion usually takes 30-60 minutes, with additional time needed for preparation, imaging, and post-procedure monitoring. You'll be able to go home the same day - this is an outpatient procedure performed in one of our two state-of-the-art radiology suites and doesn't require an overnight hospital stay.

Most insurances typically cover shoulder embolization. We will perform a complimentary benefits check to ensure you are covered and will inform you of any out-of-pocket expenses. .

Many patients begin experiencing pain relief within days to weeks after the procedure. Some notice improvement almost immediately, while others may take several weeks to feel the full benefits. The timeline varies because your body needs time to reduce the inflammation once the abnormal blood vessels are blocked. Most patients report significant improvement by 1-3 months after the procedure.

Recovery is typically very straightforward. You'll need to keep the access site (wrist or arm) dry for 24 hours and avoid heavy lifting with that arm for a few days. Most patients can return to normal daily activities within 48 hours. You may continue your regular shoulder exercises and physical therapy as tolerated.

Shoulder embolization has an excellent safety profile. Serious complications are extremely rare. Minor side effects may include temporary bruising, mild itching, or temporary soreness at the access site. As with any medical procedure involving blood vessels, there's a very small risk of bleeding or infection, but these are uncommon.

You may be a good candidate if you have frozen shoulder that has not responded adequately to conventional treatments such as physical therapy, steroid injections, or medications. The procedure is particularly effective for patients with refractory (treatment-resistant) frozen shoulder. Ideal candidates typically have had symptoms for several months and have tried at least 2-3 conventional treatments without lasting success. A consultation can help us determine if you're a good candidate.

Unlike surgical procedures such as arthroscopic capsular release, shoulder embolization is even less invasive and doesn't require cutting into your shoulder joint. There's no lengthy recovery period. The procedure targets the root cause of inflammation through your blood vessels rather than mechanically breaking up scar tissue.

Most patients require only one shoulder embolization procedure. The treatment is designed to block the abnormal blood vessels that are causing your inflammation and pain. Unlike steroid injections that may need to be repeated every few months, embolization typically provides long-lasting results with a single treatment session.

While shoulder embolization has very high success rates, every patient is unique. If you don't experience adequate improvement after 3-6 months, we can evaluate whether additional treatment is needed or consider a different approach. The procedure doesn't burn any bridges - you can still pursue other treatments if needed, though most patients find significant relief with embolization alone.