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Non-Surgical Shoulder Osteoarthritis Care In Idaho Falls, ID

2635 Channing Way Idaho Falls, ID 83404

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Patient FAQs

Regenexx procedures are non-surgical alternatives that use precise image-guided injections of your body’s own natural healing agents to treat shoulder injuries.

Shoulder arthritis impacts nearly 25% of adults, yet many of the other treatments still used today deliver less than ideal results. Research has shown that surgery is unreliable and that commonly used nonsurgical alternatives can do more harm than good. For example, steroids can break down cartilage1 and kill cartilage cells in arthritic joints.2

Shoulder joint anatomy graphic with labels.
Shoulder joint anatomy – arthritis pain

2635 Channing Way
Idaho Falls, ID 83404

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Doctors

Her goal as a physician is to restore people to as close to optimum health as possible. She is passionate about the evolution of regenerative medicine and believes in the body’s innate capacity for healing. And she is equally passionate about her home in southeastern Idaho.

Though she initially graduated with a BA in English, she was eventually drawn to medicine, feeling called to help people toward health and healing. So she went back and completed the science requirements to earn a BS as well.

As someone who enjoys skiing, ultrarunning, and wandering through the wilderness herself, she has a particular interest in treating athletes of all ages and enjoys helping masters athletes continue to perform at a high level into their later years of athletics. And she served as team physician for the University of Utah men’s ice hockey team.

Additionally, she has traveled to Nepal for a high-altitude research project close to Mt. Everest base camp, as well as Denali to serve as physician at the 14,000-foot base camp during climbing season.

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As a physician, Dr. Cooper’s mission is to assist in the improvement of function to anyone that feels physical limitations and allow them to enjoy their life to the fullest capacity. Though he began his college education in business administration, during his senior year of college, he discovered that the reward of assisting others with their ailments was his real passion.

He has had extensive training in the treatment of a wide variety of limitations that include spasticity secondary to neurologic issues, sports injuries and concussions, and non-surgical treatment of peripheral nerve and joint injuries. He is passionate about providing top-of-the-line treatment to his patients to improve their functional abilities and give them more freedom to enjoy day-to-day life.

Throughout his life, Dr. Cooper has enjoyed participating in sports of a wide variety from football, baseball, and golf to water skiing and snowboarding. As a “weekend warrior” athlete, he has always had an interest in human anatomy and how small alterations in it can lead to massive functional changes.

He feels lucky to get to return to the Snake River Valley, as he believes it is the perfect place to raise his four children with the same principles that he had in his childhood.

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I became a doctor because of my desire to serve and help those in need. I wanted a career that allowed me to help those within my community and establish personal connections with people. My mission is to assist in the restoration of function of those who have limitations to allow them to enjoy life to their fullest capacity. I believe the best way to care for my patients is to have them fully involved in their care and to have a shared decision making in their treatment plan and to address all concerns or questions to empower my patients to take charge of their own health and journey to a better life.

I recently returned to Idaho Falls in July of 2022 after completing fellowship and have been practicing medicine within the community since arriving. I however was born and raised in Idaho Falls and am excited to return to the community I was raised in and serve the great people of this area.

I have extensive training in treatment of a wide variety of limitations secondary to neurologic issues, sports injuries, non-surgical treatment of peripheral nerve and joint injuries, neck and low back pain and nerve related pain. I’m passionate about providing the highest quality care and top of the line treatment for my patients. I’m proud to be a part of the North American Spine Society, Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic and am board certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

I enjoy participating in several sports and outdoor activities including tennis, basketball, baseball, backcountry snowboarding, skiing, snowmobiling, boating, and mountain biking. I’m married with four children and our dog and we thoroughly enjoy being outside and enjoying all that southeast Idaho has to offer.

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Areas Treated

Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Hip, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine

*This provider is NOT authorized by Regenexx to treat the C0-C1 or C1-C2 levels of the neck or CCI (craniocervical instability).

Woman in telemedicine consult with physician to see if she's a candidate for Regenexx for knee osteoarthritis.

Treating Shoulder Arthritis Without Surgery

Regenexx patients benefit from reduced pain and improved function, helping them avoid shoulder surgery.

Am I a candidate?

A 2015 study looked at 100 shoulders 13 years after they were treated surgically. The research found that the operated shoulders had just as much arthritis as that reported by other studies in patients who didn’t get surgery.3

Moreover, shoulder replacement is a major surgery involving amputation of the shoulder joint and insertion of a prosthesis. Such an invasive surgery involves a long recovery time and the risk for serious complications. In addition, 40% of shoulder replacements in patients younger than 55 fail within 10 years.3

Regenexx’s procedures for degenerative arthritis of the shoulder joint can be a better alternative for people looking to avoid surgery, lengthy recovery, and overuse of prescription pain medication. Best of all, Regenexx procedures spare normal body biomechanics helping you to remain active for your lifetime.

The cartilage in your shoulder is there to help reduce the friction in the joint and to cushion the bone. When cartilage starts to wear down or is injured by metabolic syndrome (i.e., overweight, high blood pressure, and high triglycerides), that’s called arthritis. It leads to chronic shoulder pain, stiffness, limited shoulder function, and decreased mobility.

What might surprise you is that it’s not the lost cartilage that causes the pain but rather the chemicals your body releases in response to inflammation.

Research suggests that those who have shoulder osteoarthritis before rotator cuff surgery for massive tears are at greater risk for retears and a much higher risk for progression of arthritis after surgery.(3) Additionally, a percentage of patients who don’t have shoulder arthritis prior to rotator cuff repair will develop it after the surgery.

When a bone begins to get spurs (osteophytes) — extra extensions of the joint that are your body’s reaction to instability — it is trying to stabilize the joint. So removing spurs is rarely a good idea

u003ch2u003eGet started to see if you are a Regenexx candidaternu003c/h2u003ernu003cpu003eTo talk one-on-one with one of our team members about how Regenexx may be able to help your orthopedic pain or injury, please complete the form below and we will be in touch with you within the next business day.u003c/pu003e

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