Healing Rotator Cuff Injuries: From Urgent Relief to Regenerative Recovery
Have you ever hurt your shoulder? It’s common among athletes, especially if you play a sport with a lot of overhead motions, such as football, baseball, or tennis. Most of these injuries are actually located in the rotator cuff, the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint.
Rotator cuff injuries can significantly impact quality of life, making it harder to lift your arm, carry groceries, or get a full night’s sleep. Left untreated, they can worsen over time.
If you suspect you have a rotator cuff injury, it’s important to seek immediate care with the team at Sievers Sports Medicine. However, you also need a long-term plan to restore strength and function. Fortunately, we can help you with both!
Clinic News
Helping You Recover Better
We’ve added a laminar flow hood, a piece of medical equipment that creates a sterile, particle-free environment by filtering air through a HEPA filter and pushing clean air across the workspace. In simple terms, it helps us prepare IV fluids and therapies in the cleanest, safest way possible.
This new technology may also be used in the preparation of PRP therapy, right alongside our centrifuge that powers both PRP and the advanced PRP Supershot.
👉 What this means for you, our patient family:
- Safer, cleaner, more precise preparation of your treatments
- Consistency that helps maximize results
- Confidence knowing you’re receiving care with top-tier technology
We’re always investing in tools and techniques that help you recover stronger, heal faster, and perform at your best. And yes… we’re a little excited about this one!
Supporting Clovis High School Athletes
Sievers Sports Medicine is excited to announce a new partnership with Clovis High School! Dr. Joel Sievers will now be available in the school’s athletic training room each week to provide evaluations, treatment, and injury-prevention guidance for student-athletes. He’ll also be on the sidelines for select games to ensure athletes receive immediate, high-quality care. We’re proud to support the health, safety, and performance of our local athletes!
Recognizing the Signs of a Rotator Cuff Tear
Sometimes, rotator cuff tears occur immediately after a fall or other injury. However, they can also develop over time due to repetitive motions that strain the rotator cuff tissue. Often, those repetitive motions cause microdamage that makes you more susceptible to a big, sudden trauma.
That’s why it’s important to know the signs of rotator cuff damage. Look for:
- Limited range of motion
- Sharp pain in the shoulder with movement
- Weakness when lifting the arm
- Clicking or popping sensations
- Pain that disrupts sleep, especially when lying on the injured side
The Importance of Urgent Care
Athletes can be particularly vulnerable to sudden, severe rotator cuff tears. The same-day urgent care services we offer at Sievers Sports Medicine can help you address those injuries as quickly as possible. Here’s what you can expect:
- An immediate examination and, if needed, diagnostic imaging such as digital X-ray or ultrasound to determine severity.
- On-site pain management to reduce inflammation and keep you comfortable
- Injury stabilization, including bracing or casting if needed, to protect your shoulder from further damage
- An explanation of the clear next steps you need to take to avoid worsening the injury.
Many athletes will try to push through pain, particularly if they can still move their shoulder. Unfortunately, this can only make things worse in the long run. If you suspect you’ve injured yourself, contact our clinic that day for urgent care. You won’t have to deal with the hassle of an emergency room, but you will get the treatment you need to move forward.
Dr. Sievers and friends rock climbing in Northern New Mexico.
Next Steps: The Role of Regenerative Medicine
Once we’ve managed your acute pain, it’s time to work on healing the damage. That’s where the various regenerative therapies we offer at Sievers Sports Medicine come into play. These treatments focus on stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. They are especially valuable for tendon injuries like rotator cuff tears, which often heal slowly.
Options Available at Sievers Sports Medicine:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: These injections are derived from your own blood. We take a small sample and separate the blood’s platelets, which contain growth factors that promote tendon repair. We then use an ultrasound to inject this platelet-rich plasma directly into the injury site, helping to facilitate your body’s natural healing response.
- Stem Cell Therapies: These injections work similarly to PRP injections. Instead of blood, however, we draw tissue containing stem cells, specialized cells that can support tissue regeneration in your rotator cuff. As with PRP injections, we use ultrasound-guided injection to apply them directly to the injured area.
- Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in your joints that lubricates the structure. Hyaluronic acid injections are an effective strategy for treating arthritis that frequently accompanies chronic rotator cuff injuries.
- StemWave: If you’re looking for a noninvasive option, StemWave could be a good choice. This device uses acoustic waves to stimulate blood flow and cellular repair.
Why Utilize Regenerative Therapies?
Rotator cuff injuries are challenging because tendons have a limited blood supply, which means healing can go slowly without targeted support. Regenerative medicine enhances the body’s ability to repair itself, shortening recovery time and improving shoulder function. When combined with immediate care, you’ll have a lower risk of complications and may be able to return more quickly to your chosen sport.
Suffered a Rotator Cuff Injury? We’re Here to Help
Sievers Sports Medicine’s urgent care access and cutting-edge regenerative options offer a clear, effective roadmap for treating rotator cuff injuries, especially for athletes and other active adults. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started.
Staff Spotlight: Dr. Joel Sievers
With his roots firmly planted in family medicine, Dr. Joel Sievers has expanded his horizons into the dynamic fields of sports and regenerative medicine. His journey reflects a deep commitment to delivering specialized care, particularly to athletes and individuals exploring the benefits of regenerative treatments. Dr. Sievers is known for his holistic approach to healthcare, always prioritizing the overall wellness of his patients. His proficiency in diagnostic ultrasound imaging and advanced regenerative techniques, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy, is a testament to his extensive training and dedication.
Help Us Help More People!
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Recipe of the Month: Breakfast Tacos
Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- Sea salt
- ½ teaspoon avocado oil
- 1 cup Pico de Gallo
- ¼ cup grated cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
- ½ avocado, sliced
- 4 corn or flour tortillas, warmed or charred over a gas flame
- Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
- Hot sauce, for serving
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt.
- In a medium nonstick skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Add half the pico de gallo and cook, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until lightly softened. Add the eggs and scramble until just set. Stir in the cheese and remove from the heat.
- To assemble breakfast tacos, divide the eggs and avocado slices among the tortillas. Top with the remaining pico de gallo and cilantro. Serve with hot sauce.
Patient Success
“Dr. Sievers listens to your concerns, asks the right questions, and effectively treats the issue. If additional referrals are necessary, his network of specialists have all been some of the best in their scope of work. The office professionals are efficient and will work to fit your needs in a kind and gentle manner.” – B.F.
Meet Our Team
Dr. Joel Sievers
(MD) Medical Provider
Melisa Valmoria
Physicians Assistant
Maira Luna
Medical Assistant
Flexible Financing with CareCredit
The CareCredit health, wellness, and personal care credit card gives you a convenient, flexible way to pay for care for the whole family—including pets! With everyday promotional financing for purchases of $200 or more, you can pay over time with convenient monthly payments.
Self-Pay Options
- Payment Plans: Understanding that healthcare costs can be significant, we offer payment plans to spread the cost of treatment over time. These plans are flexible and can be tailored to suit your financial situation.
- Competitive Self-Pay Rates: We offer competitive self-pay rates for patients without insurance or those receiving treatments not covered by insurance. Please get in touch with our office for more information on our fees for various services.
Other Payment Methods
- Credit and Debit Cards: We accept all major credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
- Checks and Cash: Personal checks and cash payments are also accepted.
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Payments can be made using funds from your HSA or FSA accounts.
