What’s Behind Shoulder Pain?
Medical Review: Dr. Gerald Mastaw, MD – Board-Certified Physician
Last Updated: October 2025
Why Shoulders Hurt
Your shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the human body, which makes it incredibly useful, but also prone to injury, strain, and degeneration.
Pain can start suddenly after an injury or gradually from overuse, inflammation, or age-related wear. It often involves tendons, cartilage, muscles, or the joint capsule itself.
Common Causes of Shoulder Pain
- Rotator cuff injuries (tendon tears or tendinopathy)
- Tendonitis or bursitis
- Shoulder impingement
- Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
- Osteoarthritis or cartilage wear
- Labral tears
Typical Symptoms
- Persistent aching or sharp pain
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Weakness or instability
- Pain at night or with overhead movement
Whether the cause is degenerative or traumatic, shoulder pain can interfere with sleep, work, and daily activities like reaching or lifting.
Conventional Treatment Options
Most providers begin with conservative care to reduce inflammation and improve function:
- Physical therapy and guided exercises
- Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroid injections for short-term relief
- Ice, heat, and stretching
- Activity modification or rest
In more advanced or chronic cases, surgical interventions may be recommended:
- Arthroscopic repair (rotator cuff or labral tears)
- Joint debridement or resurfacing
- Total shoulder replacement (for severe arthritis)
While effective, surgery can require significant recovery time and may not always restore full range of motion.
How Regenerative Therapies May Help
Regenerative medicine seeks to repair and rebuild damaged tissues rather than just masking pain.
For shoulder injuries and degenerative conditions, treatments such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are being explored as non-surgical options to promote natural healing.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced inflammation and tissue irritation
- Support for tendon or cartilage repair
- Improved shoulder strength and flexibility
- Faster recovery when combined with rehabilitation
- Option to delay or avoid surgery
Note: PRP and stem cell–based treatments are not FDA-approved for shoulder pain and remain investigational, but they are supported by growing clinical evidence for safety and potential benefit.
Recent Clinical Studies on Regenerative Medicine for Shoulder Pain
2024 – PRP for Frozen Shoulder: Strong Long-Term Relief
Title: “The clinical efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma on frozen shoulder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials”
Date: September 6, 2024
Link: Springer – BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Summary:
This meta-analysis of 14 RCTs (over 1,000 patients) found that PRP injections for frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) significantly improved pain, range of motion, and function compared to steroid shots. PRP effects lasted longer, with no major adverse reactions reported.
2024 – PRP for Partial Rotator Cuff Tears
Title: “Comparative efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection versus PRP combined with vitamin C injection for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears: a randomized controlled trial”
Date: July 23, 2024
Link: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Summary:
Patients with partial rotator cuff tears received ultrasound-guided PRP injections. At 3 months, both PRP groups showed significant pain reduction and improved shoulder function, with no serious side effects. The study supports PRP as a safe, effective, non-surgical treatment.
2021 – Stem Cell Therapy for Tendon Disorders
Title: “Mesenchymal Stem Cells Use in the Treatment of Tendon Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Clinical Studies”
Date: August 30, 2021
Link: Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
Summary:
This review analyzed human studies using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, including umbilical cord tissue–derived MSCs. Results showed significant improvements in pain, tendon healing (via MRI/ultrasound), and shoulder function with no major safety issues—indicating MSCs may help restore tendon integrity in rotator cuff injuries.
2021 – PRP vs Corticosteroid for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Title: “Corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma injections for rotator cuff tendinopathy: a randomized clinical trial study”
Date: May 21, 2021
Link: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Summary:
In 58 patients with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy, both PRP and steroid injections reduced pain, but PRP provided greater relief and mobility at 3 months, without the side effects associated with steroids.
2018 – PRP for Shoulder Osteoarthritis
Title: “Comparative study between platelet-rich plasma injection and steroid injection in mild–moderate shoulder osteoarthritis and their relation to quality of life”
Date: December 17, 2018
Link: Egyptian Rheumatology & Rehabilitation (SpringerOpen)
Summary:
In this 50-patient study, both groups (PRP vs. steroid) improved after treatment, but PRP resulted in greater and longer-lasting pain and function gains. The authors concluded that PRP offers durable relief without the degenerative drawbacks of repeated steroid injections.
Is Regenerative Medicine Right for You?
Regenerative therapy may be worth exploring if you:
- Have chronic shoulder pain or stiffness
- Want to avoid surgery or long recovery times
- Seek a natural approach that promotes tissue repair
- Have not found success with traditional care
At Stemedix, each treatment plan is individualized, using evidence-informed regenerative options such as PRP or MSC-derived biologics to help restore joint and tendon health under physician supervision.
Medical Disclaimer
This page is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
PRP and stem cell–based therapies for shoulder conditions are investigational and not FDA-approved.
Individual results vary; always consult a qualified medical provider.
References
- The clinical efficacy and safety of PRP on frozen shoulder: a meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2024.
- PRP vs. PRP + Vitamin C for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2024.
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells in tendon disorders: systematic review & meta-analysis. Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2021.
- Corticosteroids or PRP injections for rotator cuff tendinopathy: RCT. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2021.
- Comparative study between PRP and steroid injections in shoulder OA. Egyptian Rheumatology & Rehabilitation, 2018.
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