(English) Episode 254- Fixing Frozen Shoulder With Microscopic Spheres

This 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization (TAE) for patients suffering from persistent shoulder pain and stiffness. By synthesizing data from twelve studies involving 329 cases, researchers found that this minimally invasive procedure leads to significant reductions in pain and substantial increases in range of motion and functional scores. Improvements were observed as early as one month post-procedure and continued to grow through the six-month follow-up period. The technical success rate was a perfect 100%, with most side effects being mild and temporary, such as skin redness or procedural discomfort. Despite these promising results, the authors note that the current evidence is limited by a lack of control groups and high variability between studies. Consequently, the report concludes that while TAE is a safe and effective option for treatment-resistant adhesive capsulitis, randomized controlled trials are necessary to fully confirm its clinical advantages.Allaw S, Khabaz K, Yu Q, Ahmed O. Transarterial embolization for refractory adhesive capsulitis and related tendinopathies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Vasc Interv Radiol [Internet]. 2026;37(2):107896. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvir.2025.10.027