Is decreased range of motion or shoulder pain holding you back?
Decreased Range of Motion and Shoulder Pain in NJ
Individuals suffering from chronic shoulder pain are seeking non-surgical pain relief from Regenerative Medicine experts in Somerset County, New Jersey.
Rotator cuff pain is an injury that is most commonly seen in individuals that participate in throwing sports and other overhead activities. Joints involved with dynamic movements typically present with injuries of overuse due to hyper mobility (increased flexibility) and range of motion.
Rotor Cuff Explained
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that aim to help protect, stabilize and add support to the shoulder joint. Mobility and proper flexibility and control are a must when it comes to proper glenohumeral joint mechanics. Each muscle is anchored to the bone via their tendons, which are very susceptible to injury and overuse. Due to poor blood supply, tendons often heal slowly when dealing with a chronic injury. Small micro-tears lead to chronic pain and inflammation as well as scar tissue formation.
Conservative Treatment for Shoulder Pain
Acute rotator cuff tendonitis may heal by itself, but in chronic cases of stubborn tendonitis further intervention may be needed. If decreased range of motion and mechanics are holding you back from achieving your fitness goals, it may be time to seek the latest non-surgical treatment options, previously only available to major league athletes. When it comes to shoulder pain a proper history and thorough examination will take place in order for our clinicians to rule out other serious pathology in the shoulder. In many cases of shoulder pain a standard course of Physical Therapy, lasting approximately 4-6 weeks will be recommended. If the patient does not respond to this Physical Therapy, injection-based medicine may be recommended to supplement to your rehabilitation.
Shoulder pain that fails to respond or has been lasting over three months can become chronic in nature and may need advanced intervention. Until recently patients that failed conservative intervention progressed toward surgical procedures to repair chronic rotator cuff pain.
Regenerative medicine, which includes adult stem cell therapy, platelet rich plasma therapy, and prolotherapy allows individuals suffering from chronic shoulder pain a chance to begin to live life pain free again, without surgery. This is a non- surgical solution for patients that have failed standard treatments.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma therapy?
Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP therapy is a process that uses the body’s own healing potential to repair and regenerate damaged tissue. The process begins by drawing blood and separating out the different growth factors that contain healing properties, which are then injected back to the original site of injury. In order to increase the success, all injections are done under guided imaging so the doctor can get the most accurate and effective dose of PRP to the injured area.
Most PRP treatments consist of 1-3 treatments over the course of 4-6 weeks in conjunction with physical therapy. At Performance Ortho, our team uses an interdisciplinary approach to get you back to living an active lifestyle.
If you or someone you know are suffering from chronic shoulder pain or if you have questions, please feel free to contact one of our patient care coordinators at 908-754-1960 or you may contact us online.
About the Authors:
Joseph Mejia D.O., F.A.A.P.M.& R, is a graduate of University of Michigan and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. Dr. Mejia received his Fellowship Training in Interventional Pain Management from University of Medicine and Dentistry. He has advanced training in Regenerative Medicine and is the Medical Director and Partner of Performance Ortho.
Vincent J. Diana D.C. is a graduate of New York Chiropractic College. He is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician with licenses held in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Dr. Diana is a Chiropractic Physician at Performance Ortho.