Shoulder Rotator Cuff Tears
The Shoulder Joint and Regenerative Therapy
The shoulder joint is complex to allow the greater motion than the hip joint. With that complexity comes more parts that can wear or be injured. Dr. Lox is an expert in Sports and Regenerative Medicine and understands the role of stem cell therapy in addressing shoulder problems and rotator cuff tears. For optimal treatment results, patients need to know the problem.
Shoulder Joint Anatomy
The shoulder is not a true ball and socket joint like the hip. The humerus is the long bone in the arm. The top portion ha a ball shape, known as the humeral head. This has only a partial bony socket, unlike the hip. This bone portion is known as the glenoid rim. The head of the humerus like the hip is lined with cartilage called the labrum. Overlying the labrum is the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is composed of the tendons of 4 muscles about the shoulder blade. These 4 muscles are the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus, the trees minor, and the sub scapularis muscle. These 4 muscles tendons form a cuff structure that gives stability with extreme arm motion and maneuvers, such as a baseball pitcher throwing a fastball. As we age the tendons become less like normal young tissue, and collagen fibers become fibrotic, disorganized more like scar tissue. So, naturally it can tear easier with even simple things. Athletes often injure or tear the rotator cuff and the underlying labrum at the same time.http://drlox.com/chronic-shoulder-problems-and-shoulder-pain-rotator-cuff-tear-treated-with-stem-cells/
Rotator Cuff Tears and Labral Tears
Professional baseball pitchers who underwent rotator cuff surgery or labral surgery were on a long term analysis study to only return to pitch in the major leagues 30% of the time. Those who did only averaged a 100 innings pitched. Now some have had good careers, but that means many did not. Now professional athletes are becoming proactive and many opt for Regenerative Medicine first, as surgical options can be done later, but a bad surgical outcome will result in a career ending injury.
Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears
The supraspinatus is the most frequently torn part of the rotator cuff. This is because the supraspinatus tendon courses underneath the acromium, and bone spurs, and arm elevation with external rotation, the arm above your head and elbow cocked backwards like throwing a baseball or even drying your head diminishes the room for clearance and bone tendon rubbing results in fraying and eventual tearing of the supraspinatus portion of the rotator cuff. Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy can help with fraying and partial tears frequently if the rotator cuff is allowed to heal. This process for maximal effects in athletes is typically 6 months, without the pain or recovery of surgery. Dr. Lox has had Major League pitchers back in shorter time frames if a scout gives them a lucrative contract. Other sports activities are encouraged, to keep in shape without stressing the torn rotator cuff after Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy.
