Rotator Cuff

Rotator cuff injuries are one of the fastest growing problems in the world of sports. As more and more children start playing a particular sport at a young age and continue on with only that sport up through high school and college, it puts enough strain and pressure on the body to cause a rotate cuff tear. Other individuals who are not athletes can suffer a rotator cuff tear, although it typically occurs in someone who places a considerable amount of strain on the shoulder on a regular basis. This used to be a debilitating condition, requiring years to return from. However, it is now commonly treated and both athletes and non athletes alike can return to their pre-tear work routine in a short period of time. Stem cell treatments improve the recovery speed, allowing patients to feel 100% again even faster.

What is a Rotator Cuff Injury?

A rotator cuff tear occurs in the shoulder area. It is not just one bone or muscle but instead a group of muscles and tendons that help stabilize the shoulder. Due to this, different rotator cuff tears can occur, based on the location of the tear. The different muscles and tendons connect to the bones around the shoulder joint. Initial stages of a rotator cuff problem may occur in the
form of tendonitis, which is an irritation of the tendons (such as  inflammation). A tear occurs when the tendon completely tears free.

Why Do Athletes Suffer Rotator Cuff Injuries the Most Often

The shoulder is one of the strongest areas of the body. However, overuse can cause damage to the rotator cuff, especially when a sudden, violent movement is used on a constant basis. Baseball pitchers experience rotator cuff injuries more often than any other athlete due to the amount of sudden pressure placed on the rotator cuff when delivering a baseball (for anyone who has seen a pitcher deliver a ball in slow motion, the amount of pressure placed on this area of the body is instantly evident). When repeated 100 times every few days for years on end, it leads up to these injuries. Of course, other individuals can suffer a rotator cuff injury, including weight lifters, tennis players, volleyball players and anyone else who performs sudden, jerky movements with their shoulders. Stem cell treatments can rapidly improve the issue though.

Stem Cell Treatments

In the event of a complete rotator cuff tear, surgery is often required as the torn tendon needs to be reattached as quickly as possible. However, in the event of a partial tear or tendonitis, stem cell treatments are especially helpful. Stem cells are a blank canvas cell. It does not have any specific assignment to it (where as muscle cells are muscle cells and blood cells are blood cells). When properly utilized, stem cells can develop into adjoining cells. By taking stem cells from a patients bone marrow, it can be used to grow new tendon cells within the body, effectively allowing the body to grow new tendon tissue. This way, there is no extensive surgery and no artificial materials used in the treatment process.