Rotator Cuff Tears

What is a Rotator Cuff Tear?

The rotator cuff is a joint system consisting of muscles and tendons that hold the ball at the head of the arm bone (humerus) securely in your shoulder socket. With wear and tear, the muscles and tendons can tear as can be seen in the disabled list of professional baseball teams as pitchers are sidelined due to the condition. Non-professional athletes such as hairdressers and anyone who works in an office can also suffer from the condition, especially as we pass 60 when degeneration begins to take a toll on the rotator cuff system. There are over 250,000 Rotator Cuff Tendon Tear (RCTT) repairs per year.

Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear

Pain worsens with time
Arm weakness
Stiffness in shoulder
Decline in motion, or total loss of motion
Pain similar to tendonitis
Pain at night

How Does Dr. Greenberg Diagnose Rotator Cuff Tears?

The long term success of Dr. Greenberg’s patients is attributed to a specialized approach to the examination process. Deemed “The Greenberg Method,” this diagnostic approach not only looks into the area of damage and pain, but also evaluates the mechanics and structure of the bone and joints related to the area of the pain. For instance, abnormal scapular positioning and movement will put excessive strain across the rotator cuff leading to microscopic and macroscopic tearing and pain. Additionally, this abnormal positioning will cause the acromion to press down on the rotator cuff which can cause or contribute to the tear. In executing The Greenberg Method, Dr. Greenberg often discovers that conditions experienced in one area of the body are often rooted in a different area that hasn’t been treated before. While an isolated joint treatment ignores physiology and the evaluation of movement, The Greenberg Method’s full-body examination produces a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan. In return, the patient experiences a greater reduction in pain and improvement in function, which helps them get back on their feet to resume their daily routines, pain free.

I have a rotator cuff tear but don’t want an operation. Is there a regenerative option that won’t sideline me for four to six months?

The good news is there is a regenerative alternative that Dr. Greenberg has used to quickly return patients to work with functional, more resilient shoulder. The even better news is that the treatments are natural, non-toxic and surgery-free. Rotator cuff surgery is invasive, has a failure rate that ranges from 20-90%; and can take 4-6 months before a full recovery. One type of surgical procedure (musculotendinous junction) reviewed in a study had a 74% failure rate after repair.

Dr. Greenberg’s team will first perform The Greenberg Method including a review of your most recent radiographs. They will carefully examine and palpate your neck, back and shoulders to gain a comprehensive understanding of the integrity of the musculoskeletal systems of your shoulders, shoulder blades, neck and arms.

If you are an appropriate candidate for The Greenberg Method, Dr. Greenberg will treat your rotator cuff tear by regenerating the joint systems of the shoulder joint. For rotator cuff repairs, his team will administer a healing and synergistic cascade of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Treatments. TGM uses your own stem cells called adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC).

Mesenchymal stem cell treatments which are derived from your own fat cells have proven to be very effective in regenerating muscles, tendons, cartilage and nerve systems. In a 2018 study led by Chris Jo et al., the research team concluded: “that intratendinous injection of autologous ADMSCs for the treatment of rotator cuff disease is feasible, safe, and effective and provide evidence of regeneration of tendon defect without surgery.” One high dose group in the study reported a 90% reduction in rotator cuff damage.

A typical treatment course may call for several injections performed every 3 weeks depending on the patient’s response. The treatments initiate natural healing processes, factors and cells that strengthen and renew sinews, ligaments, tendons, nerves and cartilage to stabilize the shoulder and other joints. If we find additional areas that may be causing pain, we will try to fix those too. As the entire structure of the rotator cuff, shoulder and scapula grows stronger, stability will return and the patient will be less likely to reinjure the rotator cuff since the entire kinetic system has been regenerated.

If you or a loved one is looking for a new strategy to treat chronic aches and pains, fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment or call Dr. Greenberg’s office today at 833-440-4325.

Reference:

Adult mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment in patients with rotator cuff disease: present and future direction
Dong Rak Kwon, Gi-Young Park; ATM Group Editorial

Comparative Effectiveness of Injection Therapies in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review, Pairwise and Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials; Lin, Chiang, et al.; Archives of Physical Med. And Rehab., Feb. 2019

Intratendinous Injection of Autologous Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Disease: A First in Human Trial; Jo, Chai, Jeong, et al.; Stem Cells Translational and Clinical Research, May 23, 2018

Recurrent tears of the rotator cuff; Effect of repair technique and management options; Bedeir, Jimenez, Grawe; Orthop Rev (Pavia) Jun 14; 7593, July 4, 2018