Orthopedics & Joint Pain
Shoulder Artery Embolization
Shoulder artery embolization is a non-surgical option for chronic shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff pain. Through a tiny wrist or groin puncture, inflamed blood vessels around the joint are calmed, It is an option for people with persistent shoulder pain who have not gotten relief from injections, therapy, or medication, and who are not ready for or not candidates for shoulder replacement.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
60 to 90 minutes
Anesthesia
Light sedation, local
Recovery
Same day, 2 to 4 hours
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
Shoulder artery embolization is a non-surgical treatment for chronic shoulder pain from osteoarthritis, adhesive capsulitis, or rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Abnormal vessels grow in the inflamed joint lining and carry pain-producing nerve fibers with them. Delivering microparticles through a small wrist or groin puncture calms those vessels and reduces pain.
It is an option for people with persistent shoulder pain who have not gotten relief from injections, therapy, or medication, and who are not ready for or not candidates for shoulder replacement.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Shoulder pain lasting more than six months
- Limited response to injections, therapy, or anti-inflammatories
- Not ready for, or not a candidate for, shoulder replacement
- Night pain and restricted range of motion
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Selective angiogram
A microcatheter maps the arteries around the shoulder and identifies the abnormal vessels supplying inflamed tissue.
Embolization
Calibrated microparticles reduce flow to the inflamed capsule and tendon while preserving normal vessels.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Use the arm normally for daily tasks the same evening. Avoid heavy lifting for one week.
Improvement is typically noticed between two and six weeks, with continued gains through three months.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
Artery embolization for joint and soft-tissue pain is a newer, minimally invasive treatment. Some health plans consider it investigational and may not cover it. Our team will verify your specific benefits in writing before anything is scheduled.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
Does it repair a rotator cuff tear?
No. It treats pain and inflammation. A full-thickness tear needing repair is a separate surgical decision.
Can I still have a replacement later?
Yes. Embolization does not alter the anatomy or complicate future surgery.
Is shoulder artery embolization done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
