Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears

Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears Overview

As the most mobile joint in the human body, the shoulder is prone to a wide number of injuries. One of the most common injuries associated with the shoulder includes rotator cuff disorders. The rotator cuff is a critical structure within the shoulder that provides stability and strength to the joint. When one of the muscle-tendon units that compose the rotator cuff experiences a tear, treatment is often necessary. Dr. Matthew Provencher provides stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tears to patients from Denver, Vail, Aspen, Colorado Springs, and surrounding communities. A stem cell rotator cuff repair is a safe and effective regenerative medicine treatment that helps facilitate soft tissue repair following a partial tear.

What is the Rotator Cuff?

The rotator cuff is composed of four muscle-tendon units that attach the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone. This structure is responsible for providing strength and stability to the shoulder joint when it is in motion, as well as allows overhead movements of the arm.

When one of these units experiences a tear from an acute injury, such as a fall or direct hit to the shoulder, or from the natural aging process, individuals often experience pain, loss of stability and decreased range of motion.

What is Stem Cell Rotator Cuff Repair?

In cases that involve a partial rotator cuff tear, Dr. Provencher may recommend a stem cell rotator cuff repair after patients have exhausted conservative, non-surgical treatment options with no symptom relief. Stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tears uses a patient’s own adult stem cells found naturally in their bone marrow to help accelerate healing and promote tissue regeneration.

Patients undergoing adult stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tears should not be concerned with the ethical considerations associated with embryonic and fetal stem cells. Since this form of regenerative medicine uses a patient’s own autologous stem cells, the risk of immune rejection, infection and disease transmission is eliminated.

How is Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears Performed?

Dr. Provencher begins stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tears by harvesting a small sample of bone marrow directly from the patient. The sample is usually drawn from the pelvis area. Once the bone marrow is collected, it is spun in a special machine known as a centrifuge to separate the adult stem cells, platelets, plasma and red blood cells. The adult stem cells, plasma and platelets are then combined and injected directly into the injured rotator cuff to regenerate torn tissue and accelerate healing.

Patients under the age of 60 years can typically achieve tissue regeneration utilizing their body’s own adult stem cells. After the age of 60 when the body’s stem cells begin to naturally diminish, patients usually achieve better results utilizing a combination of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and/or amniotic-fluid derived allografts for accelerated healing, as well as an allograft for regeneration.

For additional resources on stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tears, or to determine if you are a candidate for a stem cell rotator cuff repair, please contact the orthopedic office of Dr. Matthew Provencher, serving patients in Denver, Vail and Aspen, Colorado.

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Matthew Provencher, MD

Average rating:

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

Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears Overview

What is the Rotator Cuff?

What is Stem Cell Rotator Cuff Repair?

How is Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears Performed?

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