Alternative to Shoulder Replacement

How Stem Cell Therapy can be an Effective Alternative to Shoulder Replacement

As the most mobile joint in the human body, the shoulder is placed under a great amount of stress each and every day. Active individuals, athletes and the older population often struggle with the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis caused by continuous wear and tear of the shoulder joint. In many cases, osteoarthritis progresses until non-surgical treatments are no longer effective. Countless individuals in the Denver, Vail and Aspen, Colorado area are then told a shoulder replacement is necessary. For individuals who are looking for an alternative to shoulder replacement, Dr. Matthew Provencher may recommend stem cell therapy for the shoulder.

What is Shoulder Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is caused by the gradual degeneration of articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is the white, smooth substance that covers the ends of each shoulder bone and plays an important role in providing a pain-free gliding motion when the joint is in movement.

Over time, an individual’s bones may begin to rub against each other as the cartilage continues to break down. This often leads to complete cartilage loss and the development of bone spurs that causes chronic joint pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Alternative to Shoulder Surgery | Vail CO

A New Alternative to Shoulder Replacement

Dr. Provencher often begins osteoarthritis treatment with non-surgical measures such as rest, modified activities, medications, cortisone injections and physical therapy. Unfortunately, shoulder osteoarthritis is a progressive joint condition that cannot always be controlled with conservative measures.

Stem cell therapy for the shoulder is continuing to gain support as an effective alternative to shoulder replacement in the orthopedic field. Multiple clinical studies have been conducted, as well as ongoing, to determine the efficacy of stem cell therapy in the management of progressive shoulder osteoarthritis.

What is Stem Cell Therapy for the Shoulder?

Adult ‘autologous’ stem cells have natural healing abilities within multiple types of tissue found in the human body, as well as the ability to modulate the inflammatory process. Young, active patients who have exhausted conservative treatments and are searching for an alternative to shoulder replacement may be ideal candidates for stem cell therapy for the shoulder. This form of regenerative medicine is considered a safe and effective treatment that does not involve the ethical concerns associated with fetal stem cells since adult stem cells are harvested directly from the patient’s body.

Dr. Provencher begins stem cell therapy for the shoulder joint by extracting a small sample of bone marrow from the patient, commonly from the back of the pelvis. Once the bone marrow is harvested, it is spun in a special machine to separate a combination of white blood cells, adult stem cells and platelets. This healing combination is then injected directly into the shoulder impacted by osteoarthritis to accelerate healing and regenerate articular cartilage.

To learn more about the affects of biologics in sports medicine, please visit the biologic research section of our website: Biologic Research.

If you live in the Denver, Vail and Aspen, Colorado communities and would like additional resources on stem cell therapy for the shoulder, or would like to determine if you are an ideal candidate for this alternative to shoulder replacement, please contact the orthopedic office of Dr. Matthew Provencher for full treatment details.

Biologic Therapy FAQ

See all biologic articles: Biologic Studies

Matthew Provencher, MD | Orthopedic Knee & Shoulder Surgeon | Vail Aspen Denver Colorado Springs, CO

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Matthew Provencher, MD

66 reviews

James Wilson

Oct 11, 2024

by James Wilson on Matthew Provencher, MD

Senior Electronics development engineer

Wow the Steadman clinic and Doctor Matthew Provencher now that;s a super combination of expertise, experience, empathy, skill and a cherry picked staff with truly outstanding nurses and professional support staff. I was scared of shoulder surgery until I read Dr. Provencher BIO and talked to him. If your considering shoulder replacement surgery this is the place. In three weeks out now and people are amazed at my ability of movement and flexibility I have now. I love the Steadman Clinic and Dr. Matthew Provencher, He's Superman

Anne Miller

Jun 18, 2024

by Anne Miller on Matthew Provencher, MD

Grateful to Dr Provencher and his team

I am a 75-year old, active, athletic woman. Over the last few years, both of my shoulders reached a point where severe arthritis was affecting even day to day tasks. It started with one shoulder in 2021 and recently the second reverse shoulder replacement – both with Dr Provencher. Before my first one, I had received various recommendations including adjusting my lifestyle. Dr Provencher looked at my MRI and x-ray and asked what I enjoy doing and was quick to let me know I could be back to my active lifestyle soon – and he was right. He reads images faster and more accurately than any doctor I have consulted. He has many options available and if you need surgery he is the one to do it. Surgery is quick and the recovery is much easier than I anticipated. I am 10 days out from my second reverse shoulder and have no pain and gaining mobility already! My case for both shoulders was a bit more complicated due to bone integrity, severe arthritis and bicep tears. Dr Provencher has dealt innovatively with both complications and makes it seem straightforward although I know it was not. He is not only one an extraordinary surgeon, but also, a caring human being who takes the time with his patients and makes himself available if questions arise. His team is second to none – Maddy, Madison, Sam, Scott, Jasmin and in pre-op, Layla and Kevin – in terms of commitment, competence, compassion and responsiveness. Both times I have felt cared for and that resolving my situation mattered to him. Wherever you live, Dr Provencher and his team are the ones to trust. There is no need to live a compromised life!

Gene reiling

Jul 21, 2023

by Gene reiling on Matthew Provencher, MD

Success

If you are planning to see Dr Provencher ,do not hesitate ,do it. In 2018 Dr Provencher replaced my LCL. I had no complications and very little pain. I did my physical therapy as prescribed. I was able to ski 30 plus days the winter of 2019-2020. Before seeing dr Provencher I had spent a years time trying to solve my problem locally. I saw a pain specialist, orthopedic urgent care and a orthopedic surgeon. All had access to an mri done locally. It was also read by local radiologist. Pain dr gave injections as did orthopedic urgent care. No relief from pain. Orthopedic surgeon told me about arthritis, meniscus needing cleaning up and general deterioration from age. Told me to take ibuprofen for pain. At that time I reached out to Steadman Clinic. By luck of the draw I was assigned Dr Provencher. I took with me the mri that had been done locally and viewed by 3 local Drs and 1 PA. It took Dr Provencher less than a minute to tell me my problem was my LCL after viewing my mri. He told me my options . I selected surgery as I wanted to continue an active life style. It was a complete success!!

Knee | Shoulder | Joint Preservation | Arthroplasty

How Stem Cell Therapy can be an Effective Alternative to Shoulder Replacement

What is Shoulder Osteoarthritis?

A New Alternative to Shoulder Replacement

What is Stem Cell Therapy for the Shoulder?

Biologic Therapy FAQ

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