Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
The IR Advantage in Frozen Shoulder Treatment
While physical therapy and medications often help, some patients continue to experience pain and restricted movement. Interventional Radiology offers advanced, minimally invasive options.
Understanding Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition where the shoulder joint becomes painful, stiff, and loses mobility. Daily activities like reaching overhead, dressing, or lifting objects become challenging.
Who is Most Affected?
While physical therapy and medications often help, some patients continue to experience pain and restricted movement. Interventional Radiology (IR) offers advanced, minimally invasive options for these patients.
How Interventional Radiology Helps
IR specialists use image-guided techniques to target pain and stiffness directly, offering relief and improved mobility.
Hydro-dilatation
Fluid (saline) is gently injected into the shoulder joint under imaging guidance to stretch and loosen the stiff capsule. Helps restore mobility in patients not responding to conventional therapy.
Angioembolization
In chronic frozen shoulder, abnormal neovascularization may contribute to persistent pain. Angioembolization involves blocking these tiny vessels using catheter-guided embolic agents, reducing pain and inflammation.
Image-Guided Injections
Steroids and local anaesthetics are injected directly into the joint or surrounding tissues under ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. Reduces inflammation and pain, enabling better shoulder movement.
Targeted Nerve Blocks
Image-guided nerve blocks reduce chronic pain, allowing patients to participate in physiotherapy effectively, accelerating recovery.
Treatment Advantages
Angioembolization is often used in patients who have refractory pain despite conventional treatment.
Benefits of Interventional Radiology in Frozen Shoulder
Minimally invasive
Avoids open surgery
Precise treatment
Guided by real-time imaging
Rapid pain relief
Enables early mobilization
Effective for chronic cases
Even when other treatments fail
Reduces recovery time
Faster return to daily activities
Enhanced therapy
Allows effective physiotherapy participation
Advanced Solution for Persistent Pain
For patients with chronic frozen shoulder who don't respond to conventional treatments, Interventional Radiology offers innovative solutions like angioembolization that target the underlying vascular causes of persistent pain.
This advanced approach addresses the abnormal neovascularization that contributes to chronic inflammation and pain.
When to Seek Consultation
Persistent shoulder pain, stiffness, or limited mobility should not be ignored. Early consultation with an Interventional Radiologist can provide image-guided treatments including:
- Injections for pain and inflammation
- Hydro-dilatation to loosen stiff capsule
- Angioembolization for chronic cases
- Targeted nerve blocks for pain management
Don't Delay Treatment
We will help determine which option is best for you to restore motion and relieve pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
🎯 Regain Your Shoulder Mobility
Don't let frozen shoulder limit your daily activities. Consult an Interventional Radiologist to explore advanced, minimally invasive treatments that can restore your motion and relieve pain.
👉 Early consultation can provide image-guided treatments to restore motion and relieve pain. We will help determine which option is best for you.