Shoulder pain is one of the most common issues impacting athletes and other active individuals. Overuse, injury, or gradual wear-and-tear are common culprits behind persistent shoulder discomfort.
If you’ve spent the past year modifying workouts, skipping sports, or managing lingering shoulder pain, the New Year is the perfect time to take a new approach to healing.
At the orthopedic practice of Matthew Pifer, MD, a board-certified orthopedic shoulder and sports medicine surgeon, regenerative biologic therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections, are helping people recover with less pain and avoid, or delay, more invasive procedures.
As a fellowship-trained shoulder specialist with expertise in arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Pifer integrates the most advanced biologic options to support the body’s natural ability to repair itself.
Here are three ways these therapies may support shoulder recovery and help you start the year stronger.
Many shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, biceps tendinosis, and chronic inflammation, occur in tissues due to limited blood supply. That means healing is often slow, incomplete, or stalled.
PRP therapy uses concentrated platelets, which contain 5-10 times more growth factors than typical blood. This is the key to PRP’s ability to promote cellular repair.
Compared to corticosteroid injections, PRP injections quickly and significantly reduce pain and improve function in people with rotator cuff tears and tendinopathy, according to a study published in the journal Arthroscopy in 2021.
Stem cell injections, using concentrated cells from a patient’s own body, offer another pathway to tissue support. Research published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine in 2025 suggests biologic cell therapies may enhance healing potential in post-surgery recovery.
Chronic shoulder pain often involves ongoing inflammation. PRP and stem cell injections have been shown to downregulate inflammation and promote a healthier tissue environment.
People often report:
While results vary, biologic therapies can be especially helpful when physical therapy alone hasn't resolved inflammation or when patients wish to avoid long-term reliance on steroid injections.
Not every shoulder injury needs surgery, and many people prefer to explore the most conservative and biologically supportive options first.
Emerging evidence shows PRP and stem cell injections may help stabilize tendon injuries and delay progression in degenerative conditions. For example, PRP has been shown to improve symptoms in early rotator cuff disease and reduce structural worsening in certain cases.
For active individuals hoping to stay in the game, these supportive approaches can serve as a strategic option that supports natural recovery without the downtime associated with surgery.
Dr. Pifer combines advanced surgical training, biologic expertise, and personalized care to help patients recover with confidence.
Whether you’re a competitive athlete, weekend warrior, or simply ready to lift, reach, and move without pain, regenerative medicine may help you start the New Year stronger.
Contact our Santa Barbara, California, clinic to schedule a consultation today to learn whether PRP, stem cell therapy, or another treatment approach is right for your shoulder recovery goals.
