Русский 
English 
Deutsch 
Español 
العربية 
中文 
Türkçe 
Français 
Italiano 
Shoulder Joint Diseases
Rotator Cuff Tear
Damage to the rotator cuff tendons. Pain when raising the arm, weakness, night pain.
Learn More About Treatment →Frozen Shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis — progressive stiffness and pain. Severe limitation of all movements for 1–3 years.
Learn More About Treatment →Shoulder Impingement
Compression of tendons between the acromion and humeral head. Pain when raising the arm overhead.
Learn More About Treatment →Calcific Tendinitis
Calcium deposits in the rotator cuff tendons. Acute pain attacks, limited movement, inflammation.
Learn More About Treatment →Shoulder Instability
Recurrent dislocations or subluxations. Joint looseness, pain during movements.
Learn More About Treatment →Shoulder Arthrosis
Degeneration of glenohumeral joint cartilage. Chronic pain, crepitus, progressive loss of range of motion.
Learn More About Treatment →Shoulder Bursitis
Inflammation of the subacromial bursa. Pain on the outer shoulder, worse at night.
Learn More About Treatment →Other conditions
- SLAP lesion
- Biceps tendinitis
- AC joint arthrosis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Winged scapula
- Shoulder nerve entrapment
Send MRI images for free treatment feasibility assessment.
Shoulder: treatment options and what is known about them
The treatment plan is made by the clinic doctor after an examination and a review of your images. The table shows the options usually discussed for this diagnosis and how well they have been studied.
| Option | What to expect | How well studied |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise therapy and physiotherapy | Reduces pain, strengthens muscles, improves function; the basis of treatment | Well studied, recommended |
| Painkillers and NSAIDs | Ease pain during flare-ups; long-term use is limited by side effects | Moderate evidence |
| Corticosteroid injection | Quickly reduces inflammation and pain, the effect is often temporary; frequent injections are undesirable | Moderate evidence |
| Shockwave therapy | A course of 3–5 sessions; helps some patients with chronic pain | Limited or conflicting evidence |
| PRP / CGF | Concentrate from your own blood; may reduce pain, growth of new tissue has not been shown | Limited or conflicting evidence |
| BMAC / MFAT | Cell preparations from bone marrow or fat; more expensive, no proven advantage over PRP | Little data |
| Surgery — the type depends on the diagnosis | If conservative treatment does not help or there is an indication | When indicated — the doctor decides |
We send your request to several partner clinics. Some will suggest conservative treatment or injections, others surgery; each clinic quotes its own conditions and price. We help you compare the options.
Regenerative methods: realistic expectations
In tendinopathies the basis of treatment is graded loading of the tendon: specific exercises over 3–6 months. Shockwave therapy helps some patients. Evidence on PRP is conflicting: there are studies showing benefit in tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis, but no convincing evidence for other tendons. Corticosteroids relieve pain quickly, but the effect is often short, and repeated injections into a tendon are undesirable.
When surgery is discussed. Surgery is discussed for a complete tendon rupture or if pain persists for more than 6–12 months despite proper treatment.
If an injection helps, the effect usually builds up over 6–12 weeks, and the result is assessed after 2–3 months. No clinic can guarantee a result.
Who it is not suitable for and possible risks
Contraindications
- Active infection — at the injection site or systemic, with fever.
- Active cancer or ongoing chemotherapy.
- Blood clotting disorders or a low platelet count. Anticoagulants are discussed with the physician.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — the procedure is usually postponed.
- A corticosteroid injection into the same area in recent weeks.
- A complete tendon or ligament rupture with loss of function — surgical repair is usually needed.
Possible risks
- Pain and swelling at the injection site for 1–3 days.
- Bruising where blood or fat tissue is taken.
- Rarely, infection. The procedure is therefore performed under sterile conditions with ultrasound or X-ray guidance.
- The effect may be absent or smaller than expected.
If any of these apply to you, mention it in your request. The coordinator will check with the clinic physician whether treatment is possible. Contact a coordinator.
Scientific evidence
Studies of regenerative methods show mixed results. Clinic physicians rely on research including the following:
- Karjalainen TV et al. Surgery for rotator cuff tears. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2019.
- Sheth U et al. Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma use for orthopaedic indications: a meta-analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2012.
Next steps: Treatment methods · Treatment cost · How treatment in Germany is organised
Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Joint Treatment
RegenPAS is a patient service centre in Munich, not a clinic. We review your images and symptoms and send a request to several partner clinics at once. Clinics that can accept you send their own conditions and price; prices differ between clinics, and you choose the option that suits you. The coordinator replies within 24 hours, and a clinic physician’s preliminary opinion follows in 1–3 business days. We then arrange the appointment, visa invitation, interpreter, transfers and accommodation. Treatment decisions are made by the clinic physician. Contact a coordinator.
Your MRI (or CT, X-ray) report and the images if you have them, plus a short description of your symptoms and previous treatment. Send them via the form on the website — the assessment is free and without obligation: the coordinator replies within 24 hours, and the clinic physician’s preliminary opinion follows in 1–3 business days.
The cost depends on the method, the diagnostics needed and the clinic itself: prices differ between clinics. We request offers from several clinics and send you their conditions and quotes so you can compare. Price guidance is on the treatment cost page. For an outpatient procedure, 2–3 days in Munich are usually enough: examination, procedure and follow-up visit.
