Shoulder conditions
Shoulder osteoarthritis
Image-guided regenerative treatment for arthritis of the shoulder and AC joint, for patients who want to keep using the arm and delay or avoid a replacement.
Understanding the condition
When the shoulder joint wears
Osteoarthritis can affect the main ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder (the glenohumeral joint) or the small joint on top of the shoulder where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade (the AC joint). As the cartilage wears, the joint becomes painful, stiff and sometimes noisy.
Shoulder arthritis often follows an old injury, a dislocation or years of heavy overhead work, and it frequently comes together with rotator cuff problems. Sorting out which of these is causing your pain shapes the treatment.
Symptoms
What patients describe
- Deep, aching pain in the shoulder
- Stiffness and loss of rotation
- Grinding or clicking with movement
- Pain at night that disturbs sleep
- Pain on top of the shoulder reaching across the body (AC joint)
- Difficulty with overhead tasks, dressing or lifting
If this sounds like your situation, a consultation starts with finding out exactly which structure is causing the pain.
Treatment
Shoulder arthritis treatment at RegenOrthoSport
Primary treatment
Image-guided stem cell therapy (BMAC)
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate is placed inside the shoulder joint or the AC joint under ultrasound or X-ray guidance, with the aim of reducing inflammation and supporting the remaining cartilage.
Bone marrow is collected from the back of your hip, concentrated in a centrifuge, and placed by Dr. Movva under ultrasound or X-ray guidance so the treatment reaches the structure that is actually injured.
Before surgery or steroids
Why look at regenerative options first?
For shoulder pain, traditional options often involve corticosteroid injections or surgical procedures such as shoulder replacement. Steroid injections may temporarily reduce inflammation but do not heal the underlying tissue, and repeated use can weaken it. Surgery can be effective in some cases but often requires a lengthy recovery and carries risks of complications.
Regenerative injection procedures provide a minimally invasive alternative that focuses on preserving and repairing tissue. By encouraging natural healing, these therapies may reduce pain, improve mobility, and help patients delay or avoid major surgery.
Your plan
What treatment can include
- Image-guided stem cell therapy (bone marrow aspirate concentrate) into the shoulder or AC joint
- Treatment of the rotator cuff when it is part of the problem
- A mobility and strengthening program
- Changes to lifting and overhead work while the joint settles
- An honest discussion of when a shoulder replacement is the better option
Every plan begins with a detailed assessment. Dr. Movva will tell you if regenerative treatment is not the right option for your case.
Recovery timeline
What to expect after treatment
All patients go home the same day. Mild soreness at the bone marrow collection site and injection areas is common for several days, as the healing process begins with a natural inflammatory response.
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First few days
Mild soreness or stiffness is typical.
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Weeks 2–6
Gradual improvement in pain, mobility, and daily function.
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Months 2–6
Continued healing as stem cells and growth factors support tissue repair.
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Your rehab plan
Dr. Movva provides a personalized rehabilitation plan to help you achieve the best possible results.
Patient reviews
Patients in their words
He has kept me from having multiple unnecessary surgeries. I have now seen him three different times for stem cell treatments. First was on my elbow to repair two torn ligaments… A year or so later both shoulders went out on me. I did stem cell treatments again.
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Dr. Movva has been kind, caring, and straightforward.
Individual results vary. Patient testimonials describe personal experiences and are not a guarantee of outcome for any other patient.
Related
More shoulder conditions
Am I a candidate for regenerative orthopedic treatment?
Candidates are typically individuals seeking non-surgical options for joint pain, sports injuries, tendon or ligament damage, or degenerative orthopedic conditions. Your physician will determine whether regenerative treatment is appropriate based on your diagnosis, imaging findings, and overall health.
Who may not be a candidate?
Certain advanced injuries, severe joint damage, active infections, or specific medical conditions may make regenerative treatment less appropriate. Every patient receives a comprehensive evaluation to determine the safest and most effective treatment approach.
Can regenerative treatments help me avoid surgery?
Many patients seek regenerative orthopedic care because they want to delay or avoid surgery whenever appropriate. While surgery may still be necessary in some cases, our goal is to explore advanced non-surgical options that may help relieve pain, improve function, and support natural healing before considering surgical intervention.
How long before I notice improvement?
Healing is a gradual biological process. Some patients begin noticing improvement within several weeks, while others continue to experience progress over several months as damaged tissues respond to regenerative treatment.
Can regenerative treatments help if I've already been told I need surgery?
Some patients who have been advised to undergo surgery may still benefit from a regenerative orthopedic evaluation. Depending on the condition and its severity, advanced non-surgical treatments may be an option to help improve function or potentially delay surgery. However, surgery remains the best treatment for some conditions, and recommendations are made on an individual basis.
Consultation request
Get your shoulder evaluated
Tell us where it hurts and how it is holding you back. Our team will contact you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Movva at our Dallas office.
- Consultation with Dr. Movva
- Review of your history and imaging
- An honest answer on candidacy
Prefer to talk? Call (817) 442-9292 or text (817) 441-0457.
Contact us or request an appointment
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