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June 14, 2026Open Access

Clinical efficacy and safety of interventional embolization combined with early rehabilitation in the management of post-traumatic shoulder periarthritis

BSBiaorui SuXiamen University YHYajun HongZhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University ZLZhenyu LiUniversity of Science and Technology of China

Key Points

The aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization combined with early rehabilitation in patients with refractory post-traumatic shoulder periarthritis.
Sixty patients with conservatively refractory post-traumatic shoulder periarthritis were enrolled using propensity score matching.
Patients were randomized into two groups: one received rehabilitation alone, while the other received TAE plus rehabilitation for 12 weeks.
Outcomes measured included nocturnal pain, Constant-Murley scores, active range of motion, EQ-5D index, and MRI findings.
The study group experienced a significant reduction in NRS score (1.8 ± 1.2) compared to the control group (4.5 ± 1.8, P < 0.001).
Constant-Murley score improved significantly in the study group (86.3 ± 8.7) versus the control (69.8 ± 11.4, P < 0.001).
MRI showed 89.8% of the study group had effusion reduction compared to 52.3% in the control group (P < 0.001).

Abstract

Patients with refractory post-traumatic shoulder periarthritis(PTSP) have markedly reduced quality of life owing to persistent pain and functional restrictions. Thus, exploring a safe, effective treatment regimen is essential. This study compared the efficacy and safety of TAE plus early rehabilitation versus rehabilitation alone for conservatively refractory post-traumatic shoulder periarthritis. This study enrolled patients with conservatively refractory post-traumatic shoulder periarthritis admitted between September 2023 and January 2025. Using 1:1 propensity score matching, 60 patients were selected and divided into two groups: the control group ( n = 30) received 12 weeks of structured rehabilitation, while the study group ( n = 30) received TAE and the same systematic rehabilitation training for 12 weeks from the second day after TAE. Primary outcomes included nocturnal pain (NRS) and Constant-Murley scores; secondary measures were active ROM (forward flexion, external rotation), EQ-5D index, periarticular effusion on MRI, and adverse events. After PSM, the baseline data of the two groups were balanced and comparable ( P > 0.05). At all postoperative time points, the study group had notably greater improvements in all indicators than the control group ( P < 0.05). At 6 months, its NRS score dropped to 1.8 ± 1.2, significantly lower than the control group’s 4.5 ± 1.8 ( P < 0.001); Constant-Murley score rose to 86.3 ± 8.7, much higher than the control’s 69.8 ± 11.4 ( P < 0.001). Forward flexion/external rotation ROM reached 148° ± 18°/75.0° ± 10.3°,significantly better than the control’s 132.5° ± 20.1°/62.0° ± 9.8° ( P < 0.001); EQ-5D index hit 0.82 ± 0.12, higher than the control’s 0.65 ± 0.14 ( P < 0.001).MRI showed 89.8% of the study group had effusion reduction/disappearance, versus 52.3% in the control ( P < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred. In this exploratory retrospective study, TAE plus early systematic rehabilitation was associated with greater pain relief, improved joint function, and better quality of life compared with rehabilitation alone. These findings are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in prospective studies.

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