Stem Cell Injections??

[Shake N' Bake]

Ttt

[rtp]

No way stem cell injections are going to repair a cuff tear. I know quite a few top Ortho Docs in the Houston area. Go get the surgery done, do the rehab and get back to a normal life. Been there and done it on both shoulders. It is great to be able to lift things again and not have shoulder and upper neck/back pain.

Everyone I know that has had them done for various joint problems(mainly knees) has had zero luck with them.

[Shake N' Bake]

No way stem cell injections are going to repair a cuff tear. I know quite a few top Ortho Docs in the Houston area. Go get the surgery done, do the rehab and get back to a normal life. Been there and done it on both shoulders. It is great to be able to lift things again and not have shoulder and upper neck/back pain.

Everyone I know that has had them done for various joint problems(mainly knees) has had zero luck with them.

What was your recovery time? I've heard it can be pretty long and painful. The recovery time is what scares me, not the actual surgery.

[rtp]

What was your recovery time? I've heard it can be pretty long and painful. The recovery time is what scares me, not the actual surgery.

I have a plate and screws holding my left wrist together and both knees done including ACL replacement. I aint going to lie, the shoulders are the worst. Not sure of your age but the younger you are the faster the recovery time. I was 41 when I had the right shoulder fixed(rotator cuff, cartlidge, bone spurs) and was fully recovered in 3.5 months. Left shoulder was at 50 and it took a full 6 months. All I can tell you is the long term benefits far outweigh the short term pain and misery. I was like you on my right shoulder. I lived with the pain for many years before I finally broke down and got it fixed. Not being able to sleep was what finally drove me to the doctor.

[rtp]

Oh and pick your Ortho carefully. Find the best in the Metro area to do the surgery. You can rehab at any facility near where you live.

[Shake N' Bake]

I'm 38. If I had a desk job I think I would have already had surgery. But I work outside and my job can be physical at times. My company has been known to let people go once the have exhausted there FMLA. The last ortho I spoke with said he would release me back at any point that I tell him too as long as I understand the risks.

I have a plate and screws holding my left wrist together and both knees done including ACL replacement. I aint going to lie, the shoulders are the worst. Not sure of your age but the younger you are the faster the recovery time. I was 41 when I had the right shoulder fixed(rotator cuff, cartlidge, bone spurs) and was fully recovered in 3.5 months. Left shoulder was at 50 and it took a full 6 months. All I can tell you is the long term benefits far outweigh the short term pain and misery. I was like you on my right shoulder. I lived with the pain for many years before I finally broke down and got it fixed. Not being able to sleep was what finally drove me to the doctor.

[ranchdog]

I'm 38. If I had a desk job I think I would have already had surgery. But I work outside and my job can be physical at times. My company has been known to let people go once the have exhausted there FMLA. The last ortho I spoke with said he would release me back at any point that I tell him too as long as I understand the risks.

As RTP said above you will not be able to sleep at some point and your kidding yourself if you think Stem cell stuff is going to fix your shoulder. I had mine fixed two years ago and I am good, was 57 at the time. Is it your dominate shoulder (right handed, right shoulder) ? It helps if it is not. Here is one of the best in the Houston area that I told you above.

I had shoulder surgery by a great doc here in Katy area, Dr. Steven Simonich

https://www.utphysicians.com/provide...en-d-simonich/

He does shoulders every day all day long. I can shoot my bow and do everything else I please. I ain't stupid with it but I am not limited. All pain gone. Was a rough 6 weeks after surgery and the PT was tough but worth it.

[heyearl]

I had it done in June 2017 on my left knee for
arthritis pain
both knees hurt, my left was more
today, year later my right knee is hurting more
my left, is no pain, my right is a constant pain
I WILL have it done in my right soon
just need to save up for it, $1700
all I can say IT worked for me

Good luck

[Shake N' Bake]

As RTP said above you will not be able to sleep at some point and your kidding yourself if you think Stem cell stuff is going to fix your shoulder. I had mine fixed two years ago and I am good, was 57 at the time. Is it your dominate shoulder (right handed, right shoulder) ? It helps if it is not. Here is one of the best in the Houston area that I told you above.

I had shoulder surgery by a great doc here in Katy area, Dr. Steven Simonich

https://www.utphysicians.com/provide...en-d-simonich/

He does shoulders every day all day long. I can shoot my bow and do everything else I please. I ain't stupid with it but I am not limited. All pain gone. Was a rough 6 weeks after surgery and the PT was tough but worth it.

I'm right handed and its my left shoulder. I've gotten it to a point that it doesn't affect my sleep and I can shoot my bow 8-10 times in a row a few days a week.

BUT I'm just getting tired of it always being an issue. And I've found that if I over do it(which I often do because of the active life I lead) that the pain and tension affects my mood.

[rtp]

Here is the basic rehab for a cuff repair......8 weeks of passive motion to get range of motion back while repair is healing and 8 weeks of slow strengthening. There really isnt much that can be done to shorten the process. I cant give you any advice on the job front but I will tell you shortcuts will lead to a failure and it will all be for naught. Lifting anything more than a few lbs overhead or straight out in front is a big no no during the first 12 weeks for sure. Not sure what your outside work entails.

[Double-O-Dave]

Shoulder repairs can be tricky - I've had multiple left shoulder surgeries from an on-the-job injury that took me out of the health care field (I was an ER Nurse). My recommendation is that if you haven't already done so, see an orthopedist who is a sports medicine specialist. You should try to find one who serves as the team doctor for local sports teams - college/university level is good, semi-pro and/or professional is better still. Don't be afraid to get a second and even a third opinion before committing to surgery.

As far as the stem cell injections go, I've had a couple to my anterior (front) and lateral (side) hip - both on the left side. I guess if I had to quantify the success of the injections, I'd have to say 50:50. I had a labral tear to my anterior hip joint that the injections basically healed - when MRI readings go from anterior labral tear (pre-injection) to "previously seen labral tear no longer seen (post injections), I consider that a success. Unfortunately, the stem cell injections to my lateral hip did not help at all.

The stem cell injections are very pricey, and you will have to pay out-of-pocket for them (they are currently up to $2,500.00/each). If you're in enough pain, and you have the resources (money), well, the decision is a bit easier to make.

Best of luck to you.

Dave

[roysmoke]

I had a torn ac joint and PRP saved my bacon. Much less expensive than stem cell and uses your own blood.

[stu-pac]

What you are describing is an amniotic fluid injection.. the short term studies have been impressive but it will not heal a tear. It would be effective after the repair was done for healing purposes. And no doc should charge more than $5-600 for PRP or an Amnio injection. Cost is minimal for the clinic

[Still Hunter]

Call Dr Stephen Pearce in Austin. if the shoulder can be repaired, he does great work. I could not even lift my left arm to turn on a light switch. Tore mine completely in half. He has done three surgeries for me. He has kept me very active.

Austin Bone & Joint Clinic
1015 E 32nd St Ste 101
Austin, TX 78705

[Double-O-Dave]

I should clarify my earlier post (#26, above). I tried PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections to my hip first without success:

https://www.healthline.com/health/prp

I then bit the bullet and went the BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) route:

https://www.harvesttech.com/clinician/clinician-home/harvest®-bone-marrow-aspirate-concentrate-bmac®-system

Again, the BMAC injections (2 of them) healed (repaired) my labral hip tear as evidenced by MRI, and subjectively by an absence of pain at the site following the injections. However, 2 BMAC injections did nothing for my lateral hip pain.

Good luck,

Dave