CUTTING EDGE ORTHOPEDIC TREATMENTS

Regenerative Medicine is a rapidly expanding area that is being leveraged by orthopedic and sports medicine practices. While regenerative medicine itself may not be new, there have been significant advancements and new uses developed.

Regenerative medicine augments the healing process to repair partially damaged tissue such as muscle, ligament, tendon, or cartilage. It is minimally invasive and can be used as an alternative to surgery or in combination to enhance its benefits.

CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS

HERE ARE A FEW OF THE COMMON CONDITIONS FOR WHICH REGENERATIVE MEDICINE MAY BE USED:

  • Arthritis
  • Articular cartilage injuries
  • Labral tears
  • Ligament injuries such as MCL tears or AC sprains
  • Meniscal tears
  • Muscle strains and tears
  • Tendinopathies and tendon tears including:
    • Rotator cuff
    • Patellar tendon
    • Achilles tendon injuries
    • Tennis elbow
    • Golfer’s elbow

THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF REGENERATIVE MEDICINE USE CELLS OR TISSUES ARE OBTAINED FROM THE PATIENT:

STEM CELL THERAPY
Typically, adult stem cells are harvested from the patient’s bone marrow. The common point of extraction is the iliac crest of the pelvic bone in the hip region. The cells that are obtained are sent to the laboratory to be spun in high-speed centrifuge for approximately fifteen minutes to remove unwanted material. The process results in a concentrated stem cell sample. The doctor numbs the area where treatment will be administered. Using x-rays guidance, the concentrated stem cell sample is injected into the diseased region. The procedure normally takes less than an hour to complete.

PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) THERAPY
Injuries to tendons, muscles and ligaments can take a long time to heal due to the decreased blood supply to the affected area. The plasma in blood encourages growth in damaged tissues while platelets are essential in the formation of clots. Therefore, an injection of concentrated platelet rich plasma (PRP) to the injured area can stimulate tissue growth and promote healing. This procedure can also be used to help repair bone fractures.