Regenerative Medicine

Home   »   Procedures  »  Regenerative Medicine

What is Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine aims to stimulate the body’s healing response to repair damaged tissue. Unlike steroid injections, which calm inflammation and lead to bone degeneration, regenerative medicine often triggers inflammation for a short period and strengthens tissues.

Regenerative medicine is an innovative field of healthcare focused on harnessing the body’s natural healing abilities to repair and regenerate damaged tissues and organs. This approach offers promising alternatives to traditional treatments such as surgery or medication by stimulating the body’s own healing mechanisms to promote tissue repair and pain relief. Regenerative medicine techniques may include the use of biologics such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells, growth factors, and other natural substances to regenerate damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, and improve overall function and quality of life for patients suffering from a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.

How do you prepare for Regenerative Medicine?

Preparing for regenerative medicine treatments typically involves a consultation with a healthcare provider to assess your medical history, current symptoms, and treatment goals. Depending on the specific regenerative therapy being recommended and your individual needs, your provider may advise certain preparatory steps such as discontinuing certain medications that could interfere with the treatment or temporarily modifying your activity level to optimize healing outcomes. It’s essential to follow any pre-treatment instructions provided by your healthcare provider and communicate any concerns or questions you may have about the procedure to ensure a safe and successful outcome.

Why is Regenerative Medicine performed?

Regenerative medicine gives the possibility of creating pain relief while avoiding surgery. Prolotherapy, in particular, is used for ligament and tendon reconstruction, to ease the pain in joints. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is also used to alleviate inflammation, and speed up the healing of injuries.

  • Platelet Rich Plasma
  • Prolotherapy
  • Bone Marrow Aspirate (BMAC)
  • Percutaneous Tenotomy
  • Nerve Hydrodissection

What can you expect during Regenerative Medicine?

During a regenerative medicine procedure, you can expect to be comfortably positioned in a specialized treatment room or procedure suite. Depending on the specific technique being used and the area of the body being treated, your healthcare provider may administer a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area and minimize any discomfort during the procedure. The regenerative therapy will then be administered using techniques such as injections, percutaneous tenotomy, or nerve hydrodissection, depending on the targeted tissue or condition. The entire procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis and may take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity of the treatment.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) uses platelets which are injected into the damaged and produce growth factors to stimulate healing. Blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. The area to be treated is first anesthetized, then the PRP is injected. The platelets relase pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors which trigger inflammation and stimulate the immune system to attend to the area. This causes swelling pain discomfort, usually for about 1 week. Anti-inflammatories are avoided during the first 2 weeks because they will stop this process. Typically 1 to 3 treatments, 4 weeks apart, are needed for optimal recovery. The treatment is considered an orthobiologic, utilizes an FDA cleared device & follows the FDA orthobiologic guidance to provide standard of care in regenerative medicine.

Prolotherapy uses dextrose (sugar) to stimulate healing. Dextrose chemically irritates the tissues to recruit an immune response. Prolotherapy also helps tighten lax ligaments after a sprain to optimize the biomechanics of a joint. A series of 2 to 5 injections, two weeks apart, may be needed for optimal healing.

Bone Marrow Aspirate injection (BMAC) is the minimally invasive injection of cell enriched marrow autograft, aspirated from the posterior iliac crest & injected into the regions of damaged tissue under direct image guidance. Formally known as stem cell injection, BMAC is widely considered the most potent treatment option in regenerative medicine, often only needing a single treatment. The treatment is considered an orthobiologic, utilizes an FDA cleared device & follows the FDA orthobiologic guidance to provide standard of care in regenerative medicine.

What is the followup and recovery like for Regenerative Medicine?

The follow-up and recovery process for regenerative medicine treatments may vary depending on the specific technique used and the individual patient’s response. After the procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort, swelling, or bruising at the injection site, which can typically be managed with over-the-counter pain medications or ice packs. It’s essential to follow any post-treatment instructions provided by your healthcare provider, including guidelines for activity restrictions, wound care, and when to schedule follow-up appointments. Your provider will monitor your progress closely and may recommend additional treatments or adjustments to your treatment plan as needed to optimize healing and pain relief.

What are the potential risks for Regenerative Medicine?

Temporary discomfort, swelling, or bruising at the injection site may result from regenerative medicine procedures. You discuss any concerns or pre-existing medical conditions with your healthcare provider before undergoing regenerative medicine treatments to minimize the risk of adverse effects.

Are there related procedures to Regenerative Medicine?

Complementary therapies such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy, which can help optimize healing outcomes and promote overall well-being. Additionally, advanced surgical interventions such as arthroscopic surgery or joint replacement may be considered for individuals with severe or advanced musculoskeletal conditions that have not responded adequately to conservative treatments. Your healthcare provider can discuss all available treatment options with you and develop a personalized plan tailored to your individual needs and goals.

Meet Manhattan Pain Medicne, PLLC

Jason W. Siefferman, MD is board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Interventional Pain Medicine. He is trained to offer a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and treatment for anyone experiencing pain or a disability. He has published articles, book chapters, and persuasive essays surrounding many... Learn More »