Scientists are continually looking at new treatments for shoulder arthritis, particularly those that are less invasive. This includes stem cell therapy and cooled radiofrequency ablation.

Arthritis can occur in several joints in the body, including the shoulder. The most common type of shoulder arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA).

OA develops gradually as the cartilage that cushions the bones of your joint breaks down. As cartilage deteriorates, the bones rub together, triggering inflammation, pain, swelling, and a range of motion challenges.

Traditionally, shoulder arthritis is treated via a variety of strategies, including:

  • rest
  • movement modification
  • physical therapy
  • medications
  • steroid injections
  • surgery

Due to the wide range of symptoms and their severity in shoulder arthritis, researchers are continually exploring new treatments that may offer noninvasive options for maximum relief.

Learn more about treatments for shoulder arthritis in the following discussions.

Stem cells are unique, unspecialized cells that can develop into specific cell types. They can self-renew and will transform into cells like muscle cells, nerve cells, or bone cells, depending on where your body needs tissue restoration.

In shoulder arthritis, stem cells are injected into your shoulder joint. The goal is to provide your shoulder with a direct source of self-renewing cells that can promote tissue repair, restore cartilage, or slow its degeneration.

While most stem cells are harvested from your own body through bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue, stem cells from donor umbilical cord tissue or amniotic fluid may be used.

If a doctor suggests stem cell therapy, the process typically involves retrieving the stem cells, isolating them in the laboratory, and then injecting them into the shoulder with the guidance of diagnostic imaging such as an ultrasound.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is an experimental treatment for shoulder arthritis that harnesses your body’s natural healing abilities. PRP involves the injection of concentrated plasma (from your own blood) into your shoulder joint.

Plasma naturally contains beneficial substances like growth factors and cytokines that promote healing. A 2023 study suggests administering PRP therapy to the arthritic shoulder may enhance the healing process and reduce pain and inflammation.

PRP therapy involves a doctor drawing a sample of your blood and then separating the plasma from the other blood components through a process called centrifugation. The doctor collects the plasma and then injects into the injured area.

A 2021 review of research concluded this type of therapy provided better pain and functional outcomes for people with common shoulder diseases compared to other treatment options. As an emerging therapy for shoulder arthritis, PRP treatment success rates are not yet fully defined but appear promising for overall shoulder health.

Microfragmented adipose tissue (mFAT) therapy uses finely fragmented fat tissue from your body to promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation.

In mFAT, adipose tissue (typically taken from your abdomen or thighs) is broken down small enough to be injected into the shoulder while still preserving beneficial cellular components like stem cells, vascular cells, growth factors, and extracellular matrix.

These restorative cells and substances can promote tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and stimulate cartilage regeneration.

A small 2020 study found that all participants reported mFAT therapy led to significant pain and function with their shoulder OA, up to 1 year after treatment, when the study concluded.

Pain is one of the primary features of arthritis, and for many people, arthritis management centers around minimizing discomfort. Cooled radiofrequency ablation (c-RFA) is one of the most recent advancements when it comes to improving quality of life with shoulder arthritis.

C-RFA is a type of thermal therapy. It uses heat produced through radiofrequency currents to treat the main sensory nerves around the shoulder. Guided into place with diagnostic imaging, needles deliver the radiofrequency energy and “stun” your nerves to slow the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

While early research involving c-RFA has shown it to be effective, it’s a procedure that focuses on pain relief and does not directly promote healing within the joint. However, with less pain, you may notice improved function and less inflammation as stress and tension recede.

Gene therapy is a broad area of research focusing on the modification of genes to achieve certain health outcomes. It has been used to regulate inflammation, promote tissue regeneration, and reduce pain across a variety of conditions.

Gene therapy for OA, the most common form of shoulder arthritis, aims to modify genes so therapeutic ones are over-expressed and unhelpful or harmful ones are down-regulated. For example, gene therapy for OA of the shoulder can be used to increase your growth factor levels and promote healing or decrease the levels of inflammatory cytokines that contribute to swelling and pain.

Like other new treatments for shoulder arthritis, gene therapy involves a doctor administering injections directly into the affected joint.

Shoulder arthritis encompasses a broad range of conditions and symptoms. Emerging therapies may not be right for everyone. Your doctor can help you make an informed decision about your comprehensive treatment plan.

Questions that may help you understand if new treatments for shoulder arthritis are right for you include:

  • Can my shoulder arthritis be managed without surgery? Why or why not?
  • Are there any emerging therapies I could be a candidate for? Why or why not?
  • What new treatment for shoulder arthritis holds the most promise? Why?
  • Are there new therapies that are more research-backed than others?
  • What complications should I expect from a new treatment for shoulder arthritis?
  • How long would it take me to see results from a new treatment?
  • What is the step-by-step process for each option?
  • How can we find out if a new treatment is covered by insurance?
  • What are the long-term considerations for each therapy option?
  • Should I consider searching for a clinical trial?

Shoulder arthritis can be a painful condition that limits your mobility. Activity modification, medications, and rest can help, but many people are often advised to consider surgery.

New treatments for shoulder arthritis focus on noninvasive, nonsurgical options to promote healing and pain management. However, not everyone is a candidate for emerging therapies.

Talking with your doctor about your options can help you feel assured of the best treatment path.