joanelizbay

Have any of you ladies heard of the stem cell treatment for shoulder tears? I was reading on it this morning and it says they take the stem cells out of your body and shoot them into the tear and in most cases heals better than the surgery. They only have a few places across the US that do them, the closest to me is KC...but if its worth it and works and ins pay for it then I might check it out...just cursious if anyone else heard of it?

sewbizgirl

Nooooooooo! Don't bail. We can wait a few days and see what happens. We don't want you to miss all the fun. Please hang in there!

mjpEncinitas

joanelizbay


I'm an exercise physiologist with masters degrees in kinesiology, neurobiology/motorcontrol and electical engineering EE (EE has nothing to do with your problem but it sounds good, doesn't it?). I did a search for credible articles about this. Here is the best one. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4444610/
They do a good job of summarizing in layman's terms:
Core tip: Current surgical techniques in rotator cuff repair do not achieve good tendon-to-bone healing. The use of stem cells to improve healing is a promising alternative. Different in vivo animal studies have shown good results in achieving restoration of the native enthesis. However, human studies are scarce so the use of stem cell therapy in rotator cuff repair should still be considered and experimental technique. Further basic and clinical research is needed.

If I were a professional athlete and I had a career ending rotator cuff injury and had tried the more traditional alternatives I would consider this treatment. Otherwise it would be a cold day in hell before I did this. List of things to try first:
1. Physical therapy
2. Physical therapy with a different physical therapist.
3. Traditional surgery.

Good luck, I wish I could make you better.

terriamn

Joan, sorry I can't help you with your question.

We are right on the edge of the ice storms, have to run errands tomorrow, hoping it doesn't get this far north. Hubby and I leave for 8 days of vacation in Play de Carmen Mexico. This water baby can hardly wait.

terriamn

Wow MJP, that is a lot of great information for Joanliz, it's so helpful to have medical terms explained in lay man's terms. Also agree on the importance of finding the right physical therapist.

mjpEncinitas

Thanks Terriamn It dovetails with what I consider my life's work. I've been working with seniors, as an exercise physiologist, for over 30 years. In addition I taught health and kinesiology classes at the local colleges. I love what I do.

and let me take this opportunity to brag on one of our boom members Maritza has been taking my strength and yoga classes for years. In addition she signed up for my FallProof class this season. I put people through a very rigorous assessment including a few things that I recommend that they don't do without me or an assistant right next to them. Not only did Maritza have the fastest walking time of everyone I assessed but she did each test with no hesitation. I wish you could have seen her standing on two foam pieces with arms across chest and eyes closed. Even when it was something that was very challenging for her she was right in there trying her best. That's why I enjoy my job. I get her for the next 8 weeks for this fun but very challenging class and I'm looking forward to every minute of it.

sewbizgirl

I love what you do, too! I have nowhere near your training, but for the past 8 years I have been working with seniors teaching Silver Sneakers exercise classes-- water, and yoga too. I LOVE working with them to make their lives better and help them be stronger and more independent. Fall prevention is one of our goals. Wish I was close enough to come to your strength and yoga classes (LOVE yoga!), but it's nice to know you do this. It is terribly rewarding. I may come to you with questions that arise.

ljdugas31

Muse I agree please stay!!!

mjpEncinitas

Sure sewbizgirl I love to talk about fitness and aging as much as I love to talk about quilting. Silver sneakers is a good program. I'm familiar with it. PM me anytime.

terriamn

MJP, I was born a clutz, when I was young it was embarrassing but that was about it. Once I reached my 60's it became a real issue, hubby keeps telling me I should take an acting class on how to fall.