Alternative To Surgery For Shoulder Arthritis
Rehabilitation Medicine Center of New Jersey, NY, provides procedures using Regenexx injectates as a non-surgical option for shoulder injuries. These image-guided treatments use the individual’s own biologic material to support the body’s natural healing response.
Shoulder arthritis affects nearly 25% of adults. Despite this, many widely used treatments continue to yield inconsistent results. Research has shown that surgery may not always be reliable, and certain non-surgical options can cause harm. For example, steroid injections have been linked to cartilage breakdown¹ and may damage cartilage cells in arthritic joints.²
131 West 35th Street
12th Floor
New York, NY 10001
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| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 8AM–8PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM–8PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM–8PM |
| Thursday | 8AM–8PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
Shoulder Arthritis Relief Without Surgical Intervention
Patients who undergo procedures using Regenexx injectates may experience reduced shoulder pain and improved function, potentially avoiding the need for surgery.
Am I a candidate?Does Surgery Prevent Shoulder Arthritis?
A 2015 study examined outcomes in 100 shoulders more than a decade after surgical treatment. The findings revealed that the level of arthritis in the surgically treated shoulders was comparable to that seen in patients who had not undergone surgery.³
Shoulder replacement is a major procedure that involves removing the natural joint and implanting a prosthetic component. This type of surgery requires an extended recovery period and carries the risk of significant complications. Research also indicates that up to 40% of shoulder replacements in individuals under age 55 may fail within 10 years.³
The Regenexx Approach At Rehabilitation Medicine Center
Rehabilitation Medicine Center of New Jersey offers access to procedures using Regenexx injectates for degenerative arthritis of the shoulder joint. These non-surgical options may be appropriate for individuals aiming to avoid surgery, prolonged recovery, and long-term use of prescription pain medication. Additionally, these procedures help preserve natural joint biomechanics, supporting sustained mobility and activity over time.
Patient FAQs
Cartilage in the shoulder joint plays an important role in minimizing friction and absorbing impact between bones. When this cartilage begins to deteriorate—whether through wear over time or contributing factors like metabolic syndrome (which may include excess weight, elevated blood pressure, and high triglycerides) the condition is referred to as arthritis. This degeneration can result in persistent shoulder pain, stiffness, reduced joint function, and limited mobility.
What may be surprising is that the pain often doesn’t come directly from cartilage loss, but from the body’s inflammatory response and the chemicals it releases.
Research indicates that individuals with existing shoulder osteoarthritis who undergo rotator cuff surgery for large tears may face a higher likelihood of retears and a significantly increased risk of arthritis progression following the procedure.³ Additionally, some patients without prior signs of shoulder arthritis may develop the condition after undergoing rotator cuff repair.
When bone spurs (osteophytes) form, they are often the body’s natural response to joint instability, intended to help reinforce and stabilize the area. Because these bony growths serve a functional purpose, removing them is often unnecessary and may not address the underlying issue.
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References
1. Murray RC, DeBowes RM, Gaughan EM, Zhu CF, Athanasiou KA. The effects of intra-articular methylprednisolone and exercise on the mechanical properties of articular cartilage in the horse. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 1998 Mar;6(2):106-14. doi: 10.1053/joca.1997.0100. PMID: 9692065.
2. Nakazawa F, Matsuno H, Yudoh K, Watanabe Y, Katayama R, Kimura T. Corticosteroid treatment induces chondrocyte apoptosis in an experimental arthritis model and in chondrocyte cultures. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2002 Nov-Dec;20(6):773-81. PMID: 12508768.
3. Plath JE, Aboalata M, Seppel G, Juretzko J, Waldt S, Vogt S, Imhoff AB. Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Dislocation Arthropathy: Radiological Long-term Outcome of Arthroscopic Bankart Repair in 100 Shoulders at an Average 13-Year Follow-up. Am J Sports Med. 2015 May;43(5):1084-90. doi: 10.1177/0363546515570621. Epub 2015 Mar 2. PMID: 25731974.
