PRP and Stem Cell Injections for Labrum Tear of the Shoulder offered in Estero, Florida.
Struggling with shoulder pain and clicking? It could be a Labral tear.
If you’re experiencing deep shoulder pain, catching sensations, or a feeling of instability, you may have a labrum tear—an injury that affects the cartilage ring stabilizing your shoulder joint.
At Integrative Rehab Medicine located in Estero, FL, we offer non-surgical regenerative treatments that help repair damaged tissue and restore shoulder strength and mobility without the need for invasive surgery.
What Is a Shoulder Labrum Tear?
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the shoulder joint, helping to stabilize the ball of the upper arm bone. Tears in the labrum can occur from trauma, repetitive shoulder motion, or degeneration over time.
Common types of labral tears include:
- SLAP tears (Superior Labrum from Anterior to Posterior) – common in athletes and overhead movements
- Bankart tears – often related to shoulder dislocations
- Degenerative labral tears – associated with aging or chronic wear
Symptoms of a Labrum Tear
- Deep, aching shoulder pain, especially during overhead or behind-the-back movements
- Catching, popping, or grinding in the shoulder joint
- Weakness or instability in the arm
- Decreased range of motion or strength
- Sensation of the shoulder “slipping” out of place
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, early evaluation is key to avoid worsening of the injury and long-term dysfunction.
Accurate Diagnosis Matters
At Integrative Rehab Medicine, we begin with a comprehensive evaluation to determine the type and extent of your labral tear, and if you have other issues including rotator cuff tearing, tendonitis or arthritis. This may include:
- Physical examination and movement testing
- Functional strength testing
- Diagnostic ultrasound or MRI to assess the extent of the injury
This allows us to tailor a comprehensive regenerative treatment plan specific to your injury and functional goals.
Contrary to popular opinion not all shoulder injures need to be treated surgically. Many issues can be effectively treated non-surgically with regenerative injections.
Do You Want To Resolve Shoulder Pain And Restore Function?
We specialize in non-surgical regenerative orthopedic solutions designed to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes and restore tendon integrity.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy PRP contains growth factors that accelerate tissue repair. PRP injections can reduce inflammation, improve collagen remodeling, and promote long-term healing of tendon tissue. PRP Therapy works best for smaller labral tears and tendonitis.
- Stem Cell Therapy We utilize Bone Marrow Stem Cells to support tissue regeneration and repair, particularly for larger or more degenerative labral tears. Through the release of growth factors, stem cells regulate the local immune response, decrease inflammation and stimulate tissue growth. Stem Cells have been shown to be very effective for treating labral tears and the degenerative tearing present with more significant shoulder arthritis (osteoarthritis).
Are You A Candidate For Regenerative Shoulder Treatment?
Complementary Treatments
In addition to regenerative injections, we incorporate evidence-based complementary therapies to enhance recovery and long-term shoulder function:
1-on-1 Physical Therapy
Work directly with a licensed physical therapist to strengthen and re-educate the rotator cuff and surrounding stabilizer muscles. This neuromuscular reprogramming helps restore movement patterns and reduce reinjury risk.
Nutritional Therapy & Supplements
Proper nutrition supports the healing of connective tissue. We offer personalized supplement protocols and dietary guidance to optimize collagen synthesis, reduce inflammation, and improve overall recovery.
Giga Laser Therapy
Our Giga Laser, one of the most powerful therapeutic lasers in the world, delivers high-dose red and infrared light therapy over large areas. This boosts mitochondrial activity and promotes rapid tissue healing and collagen formation.
Why Choose Integrative Rehab Medicine?
- Minimally invasive treatments backed by clinical science
- Comprehensive evaluation determining the root cause of your pain
- Personalized regenerative treatment plans specific to your injury and functional goals
- Avoid surgery and reduce downtime – many patients are back to activity 3-4 weeks after treatment
- Expert clinicians with extensive experience in regenerative and rehabilitative medicine
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
If you’re struggling with shoulder pain or instability due to a labrum tear, schedule a consultation with our team at Integrative Rehab Medicine. Discover how regenerative treatments and targeted rehabilitation can help you heal naturally—without surgery.
Schedule Your Consult With An Estero Shoulder Pain Specialist
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FAQ’s:
Yes. Both PRP and bone marrow–derived stem cell injections are considered safe when performed by trained medical professionals using sterile techniques. Since PRP is made from your own blood and stem cells are taken from your own bone marrow, the risk of allergic reaction or rejection is extremely low. Possible side effects include mild swelling, soreness, or bruising at the injection site, which typically resolve within a few days.
Most PRP and stem cell injections for the shoulder are performed under local anesthesia to numb the area. In some cases, mild sedation may be offered for patient comfort. General anesthesia is not required, which means you can go home shortly after the procedure.
Cortisone (steroid) injections can reduce inflammation and pain temporarily, but they do not repair damaged cartilage or tissue and repeated use can weaken tendons. PRP and stem cell therapies, on the other hand, aim to promote actual tissue healing and long-term improvement rather than short-term symptom relief.
Yes, but timing is important. Most patients begin gradual, guided physical activity within a few weeks, but return to full sports or heavy lifting is typically delayed until healing is well underway, often 3-4 weeks for light activity and 2–3 months for high-impact or overhead sports. A physical therapist will help tailor your return-to-play plan.
Currently, most insurance companies in the U.S. consider PRP and stem cell treatments for orthopedic conditions to be investigational, and therefore they are often not covered.
References
- PRP in conjunction with appropriate rehabilitation can assist in the clinical recovery of glenoid labral tears. (Schneider, Andrew, et al. “Platelet-rich plasma and the shoulder: clinical indications and outcomes.” Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine 11.4 (2018): 593-597.) https://f1000research.com/articles/1-68/pdf
- An injection of adipose derived stem cells is safe and effective at treating partial thickness rotator cuff tears. This 2-year study shows stem cells are effective at resolving shoulder pain, improving function and healing the rotator cuff tear. (Jo, Chris Hyunchul, The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery, 2020) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0749806319311600
- Injections of bone marrow stem cells plus PRP are safe and effective at treating non-retracted rotator cuff tears, providing long term pain relief and functional improvements. (Centeno, Journal of Stem Cells International, 2020) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7204132/
- Subacromial injection of PRP is superior to steroids in providing long term pain relief and functional improvement in patient with partial rotator cuff tear. (Raslan, Egyptian Journal of Anesthesia, 2023) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/11101849.2023.2280944
- An injection of bone marrow aspirate is more effective than steroids at providing long term pain relief and functional improvement in patients with glenohumeral (shoulder) arthritis. (Dwyer, Journal of Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2021) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666061X21001115
