TAME for Chronic Shoulder Pain
Transarterial Microembolization — a minimally invasive treatment, offered in Garden Grove, CA, that targets the inflammation behind persistent shoulder pain without surgery.
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Quick answer: What is TAME?
Transarterial Microembolization (TAME) is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that may be used to treat certain types of chronic shoulder pain. A physician guides a small catheter through an artery to targeted blood vessels around the shoulder and delivers embolic material to selected abnormal vessels associated with inflammation. By reducing abnormal blood flow, TAME aims to decrease inflammation, relieve pain and improve shoulder function without surgery. Community Vascular Institute offers TAME in Garden Grove, CA.
TAME may be considered if you:
- Have persistent or chronic shoulder pain
- Have pain related to certain inflammatory or degenerative shoulder conditions
- Have not had adequate relief from physical therapy, medications or injections
- Experience pain that limits reaching, lifting, sleeping or daily activities
- Want to explore a minimally invasive treatment option
TAME may also be considered for other musculoskeletal conditions driven by abnormal blood vessel growth and inflammation. Your consultation will determine whether you are a candidate.
Targeted relief in three steps
Catheter access
A tiny catheter is guided through an artery to the vessels supplying the painful area of the shoulder.
Embolization
Embolic material is delivered to abnormal, inflamed vessels to reduce excess blood flow.
Pain relief
Less inflammation can mean less pain, better sleep and improved reach and lifting.
How TAME compares
| Option | What it involves | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Physical therapy | Exercise, strengthening and activity modification to improve mobility and joint function | First-line; results depend on consistency |
| Medications | Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications to help manage symptoms | Long-term use may carry side effects |
| Injections | Corticosteroid injections | May provide temporary relief |
| TAME at CVI | Minimally invasive, image-guided embolization through a small catheter targeting abnormal, inflamed blood vessels | Designed to reduce pain with minimal downtime while preserving the joint |
| Surgery | Arthroscopic repair or joint replacement | Considered when conservative treatments are no longer effective; longer recovery |
Your questions, answered
What shoulder conditions can TAME treat?
TAME is used for certain chronic inflammatory or degenerative shoulder conditions, such as adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) and tendinopathy, when conservative care hasn't worked.
Is TAME surgery?
No. It is performed through a small catheter using image guidance. There is no incision and patients usually go home the same day.
Can I do physical therapy after TAME?
Yes — many patients find PT more effective once pain is reduced. Your physician will advise when to resume.
Is TAME widely available?
TAME is an emerging treatment offered by a limited number of interventional radiology practices. Community Vascular Institute offers it in Garden Grove, CA, for patients across Orange County and Long Beach.
Medically reviewed by Massoud Arbabzadeh, MD, Interventional Radiologist, Community Vascular Institute · Last updated October 2026. This page is for education and does not replace an individual medical evaluation.
Shoulder pain keeping you up at night?
Ask whether TAME is right for you.