Condition overview · Orthopedics
Shoulder pain can come from rotator cuff tendon problems (tendinopathy) and partial tears, labral injuries, frozen shoulder, or arthritis in the main shoulder joint (glenohumeral arthritis). Which biologic we recommend depends on the tissue involved and how long the problem has lasted.
Therapies for this condition
We choose between bone marrow cellular therapy (BMAC) and PRP based on what is injured. A partial cuff tear, an arthritic joint, and a long-standing tendon problem each call for a different approach.
01 · Cellular therapy
Contains stem cells (MSCs) · same-day · image-guided
We draw a small amount of bone marrow from the back of your hip bone (iliac crest) under local anesthetic, concentrate it in our on-site lab, and inject it into the target tissue using ultrasound or live X-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance.
02 · Platelet-rich plasma
Blood-derived · in-office · 60–90 min
Concentrated platelets and growth factors from your own blood, prepared in our lab and delivered into the target tissue under ultrasound guidance. There is more published research on PRP for joints and tendons than on any other autologous biologic.
03 · Autologous tissue · adipose
Adipose-derived · same-day · image-guided
Your own fat, microfragmented and rinsed in the same procedure and placed into the shoulder joint under ultrasound guidance as cushioning and structural support.
Talking it through
These are the situations where biologic therapy most often comes up for this condition. Whether it fits you is something we work out together at your consultation. If another option makes more sense, we'll tell you.
