Stem cell therapy for calcifitic tendonitis shoulder

Posted by arrow5 @arrow5, Mar 31, 2022

Has anyone had luck with stem cell therapy for a calcified tendon in the shoulder? I have surgery (at Mayo) scheduled June 29. Just researching

Thank you

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Interesting question. Stem cell therapy for select tendons had only become an accepted (but still in its infancy) therapy for tendeons in the past 3-5 years. When it comes to research into emerging therapies, Mayo Clinics would be my first choice for research. I know that stem cells are being used for typical tendonitis, but I don't know about calcific tendonitis. Perhaps you could ask at Mayo now, before proceeding with surgery.
Have you asked your docs at Mayo about the topic?
Sue
But I do know a little about treatment of calcified tendons, and it involves scraping away the calcification, if not too advanced, or removing the calcified area if needed. Since stem cells are good at regenerating tendon tissue, I wonder if it can be used as an adjunct to the surgery, to help heal the tendon afterward?

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@sueinmn

Interesting question. Stem cell therapy for select tendons had only become an accepted (but still in its infancy) therapy for tendeons in the past 3-5 years. When it comes to research into emerging therapies, Mayo Clinics would be my first choice for research. I know that stem cells are being used for typical tendonitis, but I don't know about calcific tendonitis. Perhaps you could ask at Mayo now, before proceeding with surgery.
Have you asked your docs at Mayo about the topic?
Sue
But I do know a little about treatment of calcified tendons, and it involves scraping away the calcification, if not too advanced, or removing the calcified area if needed. Since stem cells are good at regenerating tendon tissue, I wonder if it can be used as an adjunct to the surgery, to help heal the tendon afterward?

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Thank you Sue for your input! I did reach out through my Mayo Clinic Portal and their reply was pretty vague. My surgery in the end of June which will give me a little more time to research. Thank you again!

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@arrow5, There is another discussion that has contact information in the discussion for Mayo Rochester. The following post in the discussion has contact information.

Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears or Arthritis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/138326/

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@johnbishop

@arrow5, There is another discussion that has contact information in the discussion for Mayo Rochester. The following post in the discussion has contact information.

Stem Cell Therapy for Rotator Cuff Tears or Arthritis: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/138326/

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Thank you very much!

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Has anyone had stem cell therapy for their shoulders for torn rotator cuffs? If so how was it any side effects reactions and it did it work? Is stem cell therapy really worth the money?

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@scoobydo

Has anyone had stem cell therapy for their shoulders for torn rotator cuffs? If so how was it any side effects reactions and it did it work? Is stem cell therapy really worth the money?

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There was some discussion about it here a few months ago - maybe someone who tried it will chime in. In the meantime, here is the most recent article from Mayo Clinic:
https://regenerativemedicineblog.mayoclinic.org/2021/08/12/regenerating-the-rotator-cuff/
This 2021 article in Science Direct seems to me to conclude that it is promising but requires much more testing:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266663912100047X
According to my (very trusted) ortho, it works in limited circumstances but can be worth a try for avoiding surgery.
Do you have a full or partial tear? What therapies have you tried so far?

Sue

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@sueinmn

There was some discussion about it here a few months ago - maybe someone who tried it will chime in. In the meantime, here is the most recent article from Mayo Clinic:
https://regenerativemedicineblog.mayoclinic.org/2021/08/12/regenerating-the-rotator-cuff/
This 2021 article in Science Direct seems to me to conclude that it is promising but requires much more testing:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266663912100047X
According to my (very trusted) ortho, it works in limited circumstances but can be worth a try for avoiding surgery.
Do you have a full or partial tear? What therapies have you tried so far?

Sue

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Bilateral since January 2021. I have tried rest, PT, massage, OTC anti-inflammatory meds. I am not really in pain 95% of the time with full ROM but very weak in lifting and doing anything above my chest.
I may try hyaluronic gel injection so I can build accessory muscles with more comfortable movements. I am 68 and active. Just want to keep my lifestyle and health at it's best. So was wondering about stem cell injection.

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Hi @scoobydo. Welcome. You'll see that I moved your post. It's a discussion talking about stem cell therapy.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-calcifitic-tendonitis-shoulder to meet other people like @arrow5, who had it done on June 29th.

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@amandaa

Hi @scoobydo. Welcome. You'll see that I moved your post. It's a discussion talking about stem cell therapy.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stem-cell-therapy-for-calcifitic-tendonitis-shoulder to meet other people like @arrow5, who had it done on June 29th.

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Thank you.

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Strictly for what it's worth, a friend asked his orthopedic physician about stem cell therapy for a wrist issue last year. The doctor's opinion was that the stem cell protocol 'is promising but not there yet". This doctors' practice includes a lot of pro athletes and has serious interest in the future of stem cell renewal medicine and continues to participate in stem cell research.

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