Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine offers promising alternatives to traditional orthopedic treatments by harnessing the body's natural healing abilities. Our comprehensive regenerative medicine services, including PRP injections and stem cell therapies, aim to relieve pain and restore function for various musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.
Regenerative medicine utilizes biological tissues such as blood, fat, or bone marrow from the patient's own body to promote healing. These therapies, also known as orthobiologics, are generally safe and can improve symptoms of injuries or degenerative conditions affecting bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other musculoskeletal tissues.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
When muscles, bones, or soft tissues like ligaments or tendons are injured, the body responds by sending platelet cells to the injury site. These platelets, abundant in healing and growth factors, attract stem cells to stimulate the repair process.
PRP therapy involves injecting a concentrated dose of platelets directly into the affected area. This outpatient procedure, conducted in our office, begins with a small blood sample, which is spun in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets from other blood components. The resulting platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is then injected around the injury site.
The entire process typically lasts one to two hours, with no required downtime. Improvement is often noticeable within a few weeks, although multiple injections, usually two to three administered two to three weeks apart within a six-month timeframe, may be necessary for optimal pain relief.
PRP injections effectively treat various conditions, including:
- Acute and chronic tendon and ligament injuries
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries
- Golfer’s elbow
- Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, shoulder, and spine
- Partial tears
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Strains and sprains
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy harnesses the regenerative potential of stem cells to repair damaged tissues. By injecting the patient's own stem cells into the injured area, this innovative treatment promotes tissue regeneration and accelerates recovery from tendon, cartilage, muscle, and nerve injuries.
Conditions treated with stem cell therapy include:
- Cartilage injuries
- Muscle injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Postoperative recovery
- Tendon injuries
Conservative Care
In many cases, surgery may not be the immediate or necessary solution for orthopedic conditions. Conservative care focuses on identifying the correct level of treatment needed, often avoiding the need for surgical intervention altogether. This approach may involve a combination of interventions such as injections, physical therapy, and other non-invasive methods tailored to address the specific needs of each patient.
By carefully assessing the condition and considering various treatment options, including regenerative medicine, patients can benefit from effective relief and improved function without the need for surgery. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized care, guiding patients towards the most suitable conservative treatment plan to address their orthopedic concerns.
Some of the commonly asked questions about regenerative medicine are answered below.
How do PRP and BMAC differ in terms of tissue source?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) are both regenerative medicine therapies that harness the body's natural healing processes. However, they differ in the source of tissue used for treatment.
PRP involves drawing a blood sample from the patient, which is then centrifuged to isolate and concentrate platelets. On the other hand, BMAC requires extracting bone marrow from the hip bone (pelvis) using a needle. This process necessitates local anesthesia to manage discomfort during extraction.
What is the effectiveness of regenerative therapies?
Research on the effectiveness of regenerative therapies, including PRP, BMAC, and adipose-tissue concentrates, is still ongoing. While these treatments have shown promise in alleviating symptoms and promoting healing, their capacity to regrow cartilage, tendons, or muscle remains under investigation.
Am I a candidate for regenerative medicine?
The suitability for regenerative medicine treatments depends on individual patients and their specific conditions. Evaluation by a physician, considering medical history, symptoms, and diagnostic imaging results, is crucial to determine candidacy for these procedures.
What measures are taken to manage discomfort during regenerative medicine injections and BMAC extraction?
Discomfort during regenerative medicine injections and BMAC extraction is managed through various measures. Local anesthesia is typically administered to numb the area before the procedure, reducing discomfort during tissue sampling or injection.
What is the recovery and rehabilitation process for regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine therapies do not have particular activity restrictions in most cases. Most patients are able to resume normal activities within a few days after treatment, with gradual reintroduction of exercise over the following weeks.
PRP Injections and More in Central Maryland
Take the first step towards pain relief and improved function by scheduling an appointment with our regenerative medicine experts. To schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations in Maryland, book online, get in touch via Klara messaging or call us directly. Call us at (410) 644-1880 or our toll-free at (855) 4MD-BONE. To get to our physical therapy services, please call us at (443) 478-4449.