Relief And Support For Shoulder Arthritis At Pain Doctors Medical

At Pain Doctors Medical in Brooklyn, NY, procedures using Regenexx injectates offer a non-surgical alternative for treating shoulder arthritis. These treatments involve precise, image-guided injections of the individual’s own healing agents which may support tissue repair and joint function.

Shoulder arthritis affects nearly 25% of adults, yet many typical treatments offer limited effectiveness. Research suggests that some commonly used non-surgical options, such as corticosteroid injections, may accelerate joint damage. Studies suggest that steroids can degrade cartilage[1] and harm cartilage cells in arthritic joints[2].

Shoulder joint anatomy graphic with labels.

35 West End Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11235

Request an Appointment

Call to Schedule Schedule Online

Doctors

Dr. Ilana Etelzon is a highly skilled Pain Management Specialist with extensive experience in Interventional Pain and Musculoskeletal Medicine. Fellowship-trained, she emphasizes regenerative techniques and adopts a non-operative approach to pain management. Dr. Etelzon specializes in addressing a wide range of conditions, including lower back pain, sciatica, pinched nerves, neck pain, and musculoskeletal injuries related to overuse, sports, and arthritis. She employs advanced fluoroscopic and ultrasound-guided methods to ensure precise and effective treatments.

Dr. Etelzon is dedicated to breaking the cycle of pain by developing practical and personalized treatment plans in collaboration with her patients. Her approach begins with alleviating pain, followed by rehabilitation designed to prevent recurrence. The ultimate goal is to create an individualized strategy tailored to each patient’s needs, fostering long-term success and satisfaction.

With expertise in innovative, minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Etelzon focuses on treatments that promote the body’s natural ability to heal and repair. Her methods have been met with high success rates, as evidenced by the positive feedback from her patients.

Dr. Etelzon is an active member of leading professional organizations, including the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), Spine Intervention Society (SIS), North American Spine Society (NASS), and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR). She has contributed to numerous articles on pain management, regenerative medicine, sports medicine, and cardiac rehabilitation. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Etelzon remains involved in research and enjoys teaching and mentoring residents and students.

View Full Profile

Areas treated: Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine

Areas Treated

Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, 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.

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

Am I a candidate?

A 2015 study followed 100 patients for 13 years after shoulder surgery and found that arthritis levels were comparable to those in individuals who had not undergone surgery.[3]

Shoulder replacement is an invasive procedure that involves removing the natural joint and replacing it with a prosthetic. This surgery comes with a lengthy recovery period and potential complications. Research shows that up to 40% of shoulder replacements in patients under the age of 55 fail within 10 years.[3]

Procedures using Regenexx injectates available through the physicians in the licensed Regenexx network at Pain Doctors Medical, Brooklyn, NY, offer a non-surgical option for treating degenerative shoulder arthritis.

These treatments are potential options for individuals looking to avoid surgery, lengthy recovery times, and long-term use of prescription pain medication. By preserving the body’s natural biomechanics, they may help patients stay active and maintain joint function.

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

TO TOP