Shoulder Articular Branch Radiofrequency Ablation
If chronic shoulder pain is affecting your daily life and conventional treatments have not delivered satisfactory results, Shoulder Articular Branch Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is an advanced non-surgical procedure that provides long-lasting pain relief. It works by using precisely targeted heat from high-frequency radio waves to deactivate the specific nerve branches that transmit pain signals from the shoulder joint to the brain.
What Is Shoulder Articular Branch RFA?
The shoulder joint is supplied by several small articular branch nerves — nerve branches whose primary function is to carry pain signals from the joint to the brain. In Shoulder Articular Branch RFA, radiofrequency energy is delivered through a fine needle directly to these nerves, disrupting their ability to transmit pain. The result is a significant, sustained reduction in shoulder pain without affecting the nerves that control arm movement or strength.
Why Choose This Procedure?
Shoulder Articular Branch RFA is a safe and highly effective alternative to two common but limiting options: long-term reliance on pain medication, which carries cumulative side effects, and major shoulder surgery, which requires extended recovery. This procedure is minimally invasive, precisely targeted, and requires only minimal downtime — making it a practical choice for patients who want meaningful improvement in pain, shoulder function, and quality of life.
Who Is This Procedure Suitable For?
- Chronic shoulder pain from osteoarthritis or rotator cuff pathology — patients with degenerative joint disease or partial/full rotator cuff tears who continue to experience significant pain despite conservative management
- Persistent pain following shoulder surgery — patients who have undergone shoulder surgery but still have residual pain that has not resolved
- Patients who have not responded to conventional treatment — including oral medication, physiotherapy, and corticosteroid injections
- Patients with a positive diagnostic nerve block — patients who have previously undergone a shoulder articular branch diagnostic block and experienced temporary but meaningful pain relief, confirming the articular nerves as the pain source and that ablation is likely to be effective
The Procedure
This is a safe, precise, minimally invasive procedure performed under local anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is not required. Total procedure time is approximately 45–60 minutes depending on the number of nerve targets treated.
- Positioning — the patient lies face down or face up on the procedure table, depending on which nerve branches are being targeted. The procedure can be performed while awake, or with a mild sedative administered by an anaesthesiologist for those who prefer maximum comfort throughout
- Dual image guidance — the physician uses ultrasound combined with fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to precisely locate the target articular branch nerves in real time, ensuring accurate and safe needle placement
- Ablation — a fine radiofrequency needle is advanced to each target nerve; controlled heat is then applied to deactivate the pain-transmitting nerve fibres, without affecting the motor nerves responsible for arm movement
Expected Outcomes
- Long-lasting pain relief — most patients experience a significant and sustained reduction in shoulder pain; the therapeutic effect typically lasts 3–6 months, and in some patients considerably longer depending on the underlying condition
- Improved shoulder function and range of motion — as pain decreases, patients commonly find that their shoulder range of motion and overall joint function improve meaningfully, enabling a return to daily activities they had previously been unable to perform comfortably
- Reduced medication dependence — the procedure helps patients reduce or eliminate their ongoing use of pain medication, lowering the cumulative health risks associated with long-term analgesic use
Post-Procedure Care and Recovery
- Injection site: Mild soreness, stiffness, or irritation at the treatment site is normal and expected. This typically resolves on its own within 1–3 days and should not be confused with a return of the original shoulder pain.
- Daily activities : Most patients can return to light daily activities the following day.
Pain Management at Bangkok Interventional Clinic
At Bangkok Interventional Clinic, we focus on personalised, in-depth pain management tailored to each individual.
- All patients are evaluated and treated by a board-certified pain specialist, ensuring accuracy, safety, and effective care.
- Targeted interventional procedures for fast and effective symptom relief
- Patient education to support sustainable, long-term self-care
Our goal is to meaningfully improve the quality of life of every patient we treat. If you are living with pain that affects your daily life, the right diagnosis and the right treatment plan are where change begins.
