Regenerative medicine uses body's components for healing, repair
7/13/2017
Regenerative medicine is a game-changing area with the potential to accelerate healing, repair damaged tissues and improve pain and function. It uses components created by your own body to help the healing process. These innovative, outpatient procedures are minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided and use local (not general) anesthesia. They are used to treat a variety of sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions including:
- Tendon injuries affecting the
- Ankle (e.g. Achilles)
- Knee (e.g. "jumper's knee")
- Elbow (e.g. "tennis elbow" or "golfer's elbow")
- Plantar fascia injuries ("plantar fasciitis")
- Ligament sprains
- Arthritis and meniscal injuries
- Spine injuries
Two of the more common procedures are platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC).
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Platelets contain a variety of naturally occurring growth factors and other bioactive agents that modulate inflammation, recruit stem cells and participate in tissue healing. Platelets from your own blood are isolated and concentrated into PRP and injected into damaged or inflamed regions to improve pain and function. PRP preparations can be individualized to meet your specific needs. The quality control program ensures that PRP preparations are consistent and high quality.
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC): Your bone marrow contains a variety of potentially powerful therapeutic cells, including stem cells. These cells modulate inflammation, promote repair of damaged cells and tissues, and can stimulate tissue and cell growth. Bone marrow is taken from your pelvic bone, concentrated to remove unwanted portions, and injected into the injured area to reduce pain, improve function and promote healing.
You may be a good candidate for a regenerative medicine procedure if you meet the following criteria:
- Have a specific musculoskeletal or orthopedic diagnosis (i.e. unspecified knee pain is not acceptable).
- No active cancer of any type.
- No history of cancer within the past five years, other than non-melanoma skin cancer.
- No history of any undiagnosed bone marrow disease.
- Must weigh less than 415 lbs.
- No chronic systemic infection.
- Acknowledge that procedures are not covered by insurance and are an out-of-pocket expense. The consultation is covered by insurance.
If you have had arthroplasty in a joint, and are having symptoms in that joint or in an adjacent tendon/soft tissue structure, you only will be considered if there is written acknowledgement from your operating surgeon that you may proceed with regenerative treatments.
If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation appointment office at 507-284-5000 or Sports Medicine at 507-266-9100.