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A 69 Year-Old Weightlifter Seeks Shoulder Surgery Alternative

shoulder surgery alternative

When you are 69 in great shape, and have lifted weights for decades, the prospect of shoulder surgery or shoulder joint replacement surgery is not always appealing.

For this reason, he consulted. Dennis Lox M.D. a Sports and Regenerative Medicine expert for shoulder stem Cell Therapy, as a shoulder surgery alternative.

shoulder surgery alternative
Dr. Lox offers Shoulder Surgery Alternative for Shoulder Pain

Weightlifting, Bodybuilding and Shoulder Pain

Dr. Lox has treated some of World’s greatest bodybuilders, including 2 Mr. Olympia’s, and their shoulders often develop degenerative arthritis as a result of years of repetitive stress from heavy weight lifting.

This 69 year-old weightlifter had suffered with shoulder pain for years, yet he continued to lift heavy weights. Often, the worst for aging weightlifters with shoulder pain.

This gentleman was in great shape. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 225 muscular pounds. Despite years of shoulder pain, he was doing overhead military presses of over 185 pounds. He was bench pressing 300 pounds. He was proud he was out lifting his 40 year old training partner.

However, when I examined him, he could barely lift his arm up beyond 90 degrees before he winched with pain. Not a good sign for anyone, but for someone lifting heavy weights at his age with this pain, lack of function was not good.

Athletes can be stubborn. That is part of the dedication to sport for years, and often dedication, commitment and determination lead to success.

However, aging bodies wear down. Just like cars with 100,000 miles. Professional athletes generally taper off after 40. Professional football and basketball takes it toll. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and most every quarterback except Tom Brady retire before that age.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Often the rotator cuff, a tough band of 4 tendons that come together to cover the shoulder joint, is worn with repetitive use. Especially, the supraspinatus muscle.

This is because the supraspinatus tendon initiates shoulder elevation or abduction.

Then the larger deltoid takes over, in lateral raising of the arm. However, when the shoulder is elevated to about 90 degrees, and then externally rotated, which is what happens when you lift your arm above your head, the supraspinatus tendon often gets trapped between its insertion on the greater tuberosity of the humerus, and the overlying AC joint (acromioclavicular).

Weightlifters often have degenerative arthritis of the AC joint as well, created even less room in a tight space for the supraspinatus tendon. This is what is known as impingement syndrome.

The supraspinatus tendon is impinged or pinched as the arm is raised and elevated. Overhead activities like this patient doing overhead military presses with heavy weight, undoubtedly makes it worse. This is why his shoulder pain had progressively gotten worse over the years. The repetitive stress and wear, create a rubbing effect on the tendon, think fraying of a rope or cable. This leads to improper collage repair, tendinois or fibrous tissue scarring, and even tears. It also leads to progressive degenerative arthritis of the surrounding bones the AC joint, and the gleno-humeral joint or actually ball and socket of the shoulder joint. Increasing progressive degenerative arthritis of the AC leads to bone spurring with often a downward spur which is like a dagger sticking into the supraspinatus tendon.

Shoulder Surgery Alternative: Stem Cell Therapy

It’s important to understand how the shoulder works or how specific sports affect the shoulder. Not surprising Dr. Lox frequently sees a lot of shoulder injuries.

Often, shoulder pain does not require surgery. There are alternatives to shoulder surgery or shoulder replacement surgery for this painful shoulder problem.

Dennis M. Lox M.D. is an expert in Sports and Regenerative Medicine. He understands wellness, nutrition, diet, supplements, proper exercise recommendations for each problem.

Having treated teen athletes, to professional athletes from a variety of sports, weekend warriors, and those with degenerative arthritis from aging, Dr. Lox is very experienced in the treatment and rehabilitation of all patients.

Some even coordinate care with professional athletic trainers after considering the best course of action. Dr. Lox recently saw his first 99-year-old patient turn 100 years of age. Still the principals of diet, nutrition, appropriate exercise for her knees was prescribed.

Not all patients are deemed shoulder Stem Cell therapy candidates. Dr. Lox has made his reputation on honesty, after all you don’t get continued word of south referrals, or family members or professional athletes by not being forthright.

A personalized medicine approach is necessary to evaluate each patient.
This requires taking time. Racing the history, listening and talking to the patient, examining the patient. Looking at an X-ray or MRI, without examining or talking to the patient, and telling them they need shoulder surgery or shoulder replacement surgery is not personalized care.

A personalized approach allows Dr. Lox and the patient to arrive at the right choice for their condition, needs, goals, and desires. Sometimes, unrealistic expectations need to be addressed. Commonly, the notion that shoulder stem cell therapy or knee stem cell therapy, or any joint Regenerative Medicine treatment is going to make them perfect. Teen athletes with a sports injury do not have arthritis.

Their injury can be healed. But 69-years-old’s with shoulder arthritis who keep doing repetitive stress to their shoulder, only leads to progression of their degenerative arthritis.

Impingement syndrome is just one. Professional Baseball Pitchers with glenoid labral tears have returned to pitch in the Major Leagues, after shoulder Stem Cell Therapy with Dr. Lox.

Tennis players, Golfers, Professional Boxers, Gymnasts with dislocated shoulders and labral tears, and yes many patients who are weightlifters. Another key to success is, when the patient listens to the doctor and both agree on the treatment plan.

This includes following the right exercise plan during the post Shoulder Stem Cell Therapy period. Continuing to do what is making it worse is not a recipe for success. Regenerative Medicine and Shoulder Stem Cell Therapy are upon helping the body heal itself. Having the right experienced Sports and Regenerative Medicine expert who understands and is there to help you is also very important.

Dr. Lox was recently named one of the Best Sports Medicine Doctors 2019 in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, California.


Dr. Lox

Whether you are a professional athlete, weekend warrior, or have arthritis from aging, Dr. Lox can help. Dennis M. Lox, M.D. is an internationally renown Sports and Regenerative Medicine specialist. Dr. Lox incorporates Regenerative Medicine techniques such as cell science applications, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and Tissue Engineering aspects, to help patients from around the world with a vast array of problems. Dr. Lox is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Lox lectures extensively and has edited two PM&R textbooks, the prestigious A State of the Art Review (Star) on Low Back Pain, and Soft Tissue Injuries: Diagnosis and Treatment. Dennis M. Lox, M.D. maintains an active practice in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, and in Beverly Hills, California.

Are You Looking to Avoid Surgery?

If you haven't found joint relief should schedule a personal consultation with Dennis M. Lox, M.D., to learn if you are able to get joint relief without the need for invasive surgery.

Stem Cell Therapy in Clearwater, FL and Beverly Hills, CA

Dr. Lox treats the Tampa Bay Metro Area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa , Pinellas Park, Palm Harbor, Orlando and Sarasota as well as the Los Angeles Metro Area including Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

Call our office in Clearwater, FL or Beverly Hills, CA to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Lox.

Clearwater, Florida Office

2030 Drew St.
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 462-5582

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450 N Roxbury Dr. #602
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 975-7033

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