If you are having a serious rotator cuff problem, such as a tear, that does not respond to conventional treatments like rest and physical therapy, an intriguing alternative has recently been developed that is worth your consideration. This new approach for healing a rotator cuff tear is known as stem cell therapy. The following article takes a closer look at this compelling medical innovation. 

Stem Cells 

Stem cells are different from the typical cells in the body. They have the ability to turn into one of the body's other types of cells. For example, a stem cell might become a kidney cell or a heart cell. This means that stem cells can replace other cells in the body that have been destroyed or damaged. 

How It Works 

Your body always has a supply of stem cells. The stem cell therapy process involves recovering some of these cells and injecting them into your body. The removal is done by inserting a needle into your hip area and recovering some bone marrow, an excellent source of stem cells. The bone marrow is then processed to remove any unneeded material.  

Once the stem cells are processed, then the doctor will inject them, along with some platelets taken from the bone marrow, into the damaged shoulder. The stem cells will then begin helping the tissue in the area to heal. 

The Procedure 

The procedure is typically done in a doctor's office or clinic rather than a hospital setting. You will generally need more than one appointment for the treatment. The removal of bone marrow is not especially painful for most patients, with some patients saying that the process is not painful at all. You may feel some discomfort, but not as much pain or discomfort as you would with a bone marrow biopsy, for example. 

Candidate 

You are good candidate for stem cell therapy if you have a rotator cuff tear that has not responded well to conventional non-invasive treatments and you would prefer to avoid having surgery. You might not be a good candidate for stem cell therapy if you have cancer, an active infection or a blood-borne disease such as hepatitis. 

Rotator cuff tears can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort and can also make it difficult to perform routine tasks. Stem cell therapy shows a lot of promise for healing this type of shoulder condition. To learn more, contact a center like Denver Regenerative Medicine.