Stem Cells for Shoulder Pain — Houston, TX
The shoulder is the most flexible joint in the body and enables a wide range of movement. However, the shoulder joint is also very complex and relies on a group of tendons to allow movement with a shallow socket. The complexity of the shoulder joint means that, unfortunately, it can be difficult to repair surgically.
Shoulder pain can restrict your movement and keep you from doing the activities you enjoy. We provide non-surgical, innovative stem cell shoulder treatment for patients located in Houston, TX and the surrounding areas.
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How Does Stem Cell Treatment Address Shoulder Pain?
Stem cells can develop into multiple kinds of cells, depending on what your body needs. This unique ability allows stem cells to replace damaged cells and repair the body continuously.
However, sometimes an injured area doesn’t receive enough stem cells to recover easily. The goal of stem cell treatment is to instigate the body’s natural healing process by moving stem cells where they’re needed.
It’s important to note that stem cell treatment is distinct from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, although both can be used to assist with shoulder pain.
What Shoulder Injuries and Conditions Can Stem Cells Help With?
Stem cells can help repair a number of types of damage to the shoulder. We see patients with a wide variety of shoulder injuries and diseases, including:
- Shoulder Arthritis
- Rotator Cuff Injury
- Shoulder Bursitis
- Glenoid Labrum Tear
- Inflamed Synovial Membrane
How Does Stem Cell Shoulder Treatment Work?
During stem cell treatment, your doctor will obtain stem cells — either from your bone marrow or from donated umbilical cord blood — and place them at the exact site of your injury using detailed imaging as a guide.
If it’s necessary to use stem cells from your bone marrow, your doctor will start by numbing your hip and inserting a needle into part of your pelvic bone called the iliac crest. This is the easiest way to retrieve stem cells from the body.
After taking a bone marrow sample, it will be sent to the lab, where it will spin for 10 to 15 minutes until concentrated stem cells can be separated out.
Finally, your doctor will numb your shoulder and inject the stem cells precisely into the area that needs repair.
From start to finish, the entire procedure usually takes less than an hour, meaning you can return home to Beaumont or Cypress on the same day.
What Do You Need to Do During Recovery?
Patients can usually return to work the day after receiving stem cell injections to repair a torn shoulder labrum or another injury. However, you’ll need to take a few precautions during recovery:
- You’ll need to refrain from strenuous exercise and load-bearing tasks for at least two weeks.
- You’ll need to avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), as these can interfere with the healing process.
What Risks Are Associated With Stem Cell Injections?
Stem cell injections are generally considered safe. However, as with any medical procedure, some complications can occur. Infections and immune responses to injected stem cells are the main risks associated with this treatment.
Looking for Stem Cell Treatment in Texas?
Stem cell injections can help you overcome shoulder pain and get back to the activities you love. To best serve patients like you, we provide stem cell treatments to people in Houston, TX and the surrounding areas. To see if this procedure could benefit you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Gombera today.
