Shoulder Pain

The shoulder is a ball and socket type of joint and one of the most mobile joints in the body. It can move your arm in a circular motion, forward, backward, up and down.  

Shoulder pain is common and can be caused by a number of factors. Most shoulder pain can be traced back to tendon inflammation, such as bursitis or tendonitis, osteoarthritis of the shoulder, instability issues or a fracture.

The rotator cuff is made up of four muscles that give shoulder its wide range of motion. Each muscle has a tendon that connects it to bone. If the tendons become inflamed or damaged, moving your shoulder can be painful.  A rotator cuff tear can occur with significant trauma to the shoulder such as a fall or as a result breakdown of the tendons with aging.  A tear can be small, or the tendon can be completely torn.  Pain with movement, weakness of the shoulder and night pain are common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear.  Some tears of the rotator cuff can be managed conservatively with rest, medications and physical therapy; however, some may need surgery to fix the tear.

Studies have shown tissue regeneration, improvement in strength, and pain reduction with rotator cuff tears treated with stem cells. Recently, a study was released that demonstrated improved healing and less likelihood for a re-tear of the rotator cuff after surgery in patients treated with stem cells at the time of surgery. 

Arthritis of the shoulder is a result of breakdown of the cartilage with aging.  Certain factors such as shoulder injuries and overuse activities can accelerate the rate at which the cartilage wears down.  In some patients, the cartilage can wear down to the bone where the underlying nerve endings are exposed which can cause significant pain in the shoulder.

The first line of treatment with osteoarthritis of the shoulder is to manage the pain starting with over the counter or prescription medications. Physical therapy can be helpful to strengthen the weakened joint and improve range of motion and strength. Many patients find short-term relief with cortisone shots for pain.  If a patient finds that these conservative measures are no longer helpful, surgical intervention such as a joint replacement may seem like your only option. However, advancements in regenerative therapies are providing a new hope for many patients struggling with shoulder arthritis pain and can delay or possibly even prevent the need for a joint replacement. These newer treatments use biologic elements such as your own adult stem cells and platelets to ease the pain and in many cases, regenerate the cartilage that was lost. Call or click below to schedule an appointment to discuss your treatment options with Dr. Bullock, and determine if  a stem cell treatment is appropriate for you.