From the Research
Stem cell injections into the shoulder joint should not be recommended as a first-line treatment due to limited and mixed evidence for effectiveness, and patients should exhaust more established treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and standard corticosteroid injections before considering this option. The procedure typically involves harvesting stem cells from the patient's bone marrow or adipose tissue, processing them, and then injecting them into the damaged shoulder joint. The most common conditions treated include rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis, and tendinopathies. However, a recent study 1 found that stem cell injection into supraspinatus partial tears in patients with shoulder pain lasting more than 3 months was not more effective than control injections. Another study 2 found that stem cell injections for knee osteoarthritis may slightly improve pain and function up to six months after treatment, but the certainty of the evidence was low.
Some key points to consider when evaluating the effectiveness of stem cell injections for shoulder conditions include:
- The limited number of high-quality studies on the topic, with many studies having small sample sizes and methodological limitations 2, 1
- The mixed evidence for effectiveness, with some studies showing improvement in pain and function, while others show no significant difference compared to control treatments 2, 1
- The potential risks and complications associated with stem cell injections, including infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to the injection site 1
- The high cost of stem cell injections, which can range from $2,000 to $5,000 per injection, and may not be covered by insurance
In light of these considerations, patients should approach stem cell injections for shoulder conditions with caution and carefully weigh the potential benefits and risks before making a decision. Established treatments like physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and standard corticosteroid injections should be exhausted before considering stem cell therapy. Additionally, patients should be aware of the potential costs and limitations of stem cell injections, and carefully evaluate the evidence and consult with a healthcare professional before making a decision.