Shoulder pain is a common problem that results from a variety of conditions. It often occurs because of overuse or injury to the shoulder joint. It can also result from other diseases or conditions like arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.
It can be challenging to find relief, but regenerative medicine may offer hope to those suffering from chronic shoulder pain.
What Is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on repairing or replacing damaged tissue and organs naturally. It can potentially change how we treat various diseases and injuries in the future.
Regenerative medicine aims to help the body heal by stimulating cell regeneration. Providers can do this through different methods, such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
Here are two of the most common treatments under regenerative medicine that can help treat shoulder pain:
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy uses stem cells to repair damaged tissue. The stem cells can come from your own body or a donor. There are also two types of stem cells, embryonic and adult.
Providers get embryonic stem cells from embryos of consenting mothers. They are pluripotent, which means they can turn into any type of cell in the body. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, come from the adult patients themselves. They are multipotent, meaning they can turn into several cell types that the body may need.
Most providers use patients’ own stem cells, taken from fat deposits, bone marrow, or other parts of the body, to conduct stem cell therapy.
How It Works
Your doctor will harvest stem cells from your body and inject them into your shoulder area, letting the cells repair the damage by creating new cells. Doctors use this therapy to treat injuries to muscles and soft tissues, like tendons. The treatment also helps with post-op recovery.
Since the stem cells come from you, there’s no risk of rejection, because they are your own cells.
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma therapy uses platelets to promote healing. Platelets are cells found in the blood that help with blood clotting. They contain growth factors or proteins that help you heal.
How It Works
PRP therapy uses your own blood to create a concentrated solution of platelets. Providers produce this substance by spinning the blood in a centrifuge. The force from the centrifuge separates the platelets from the rest of the blood components.
After obtaining the concentrated solution, your doctor will inject it into your shoulder. The platelets and their growth factors stimulate repair and tissue healing.
Doctors use PRP therapy to treat conditions like:
- Tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Sprains
- Strains
One of the most significant advantages of PRP therapy is that it uses your own blood. That means there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction.
Regenerative Treatment For Shoulder Pain In Baltimore, MD
Regenerative medicine has the potential to change how we treat diseases and injuries. The most common regenerative therapies are stem cell therapy and PRP therapy.
Stem cell therapy uses the patient’s stem cells, while PRP therapy uses platelets from the patient’s blood. Talk to your doctor to learn more about these regenerative medicine therapies and which treatment best fits your needs.
You can trust Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland if you need treatment for shoulder pain in Baltimore. Our providers are highly trained, experienced, and excited to give you the best care possible. Call us at (410) 644-1880 to learn about our services. You can also use our appointment request form to book a consultation for your condition or sports injury in Baltimore.
You can rely on us if you need an orthopedic doctor in Columbia, Catonsville, Eldersburg, or Fulton, Maryland. We look forward to serving you!
