Regenerative medicine is a field of medicine that focuses on developing treatments and therapies that stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. . 

Your body will start to naturally heal itself following an injury  and will repair or remove damaged tissue with the goal of restoring healthy tissue. The goal of regenerative medicine is to replicate this activity by promoting the creation of new, healthy tissue with less inflammation.

Type of Regenerative Medicine

There are several forms of regenerative medicine to improve patient mobility and pain. Treatment options include the following.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is plasma that contains a concentrated amount of platelets taken from blood that is drawn from the arm. Platelets are a part of the body’s natural response to injury. They contain a high level of bioactive proteins and growth factors that facilitate the healing of damaged or injured tissues, and that help your body repair itself. PRP therapy is minimally invasive and uses your own tissues to promote healing.

To create the PRP injection, the blood that is drawn from your body is placed in a centrifuge. As your blood spins in the centrifuge, its platelets are separated into a distinct layer. These platelets are then added to a plasma solution and injected back into your body.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy—also known as autologous stem cell injection (ASCI)—is another form of targeted biologic therapy. It uses adult stem cells taken from bone marrow in the pelvis that can hone in on areas of inflammation or degeneration.

Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Hyaluronic acid injections are primarily aimed at reducing joint pain, particularly in the knee. Instead of using a substance derived from the body to stimulate a healing response, such as with PRP, hyaluronic acid injections simulate and replace the synovial fluid in joints that help them stay nourished and well-lubricated.

This type of injection is also known as a rooster comb injection. Many hyaluronic acid formulas are created with cells extracted from the cartilage of rooster combs, which are the fleshy growths or crests located on top of these birds’ heads.

Cartilage Restoration

UOA uses several methods to restore and repair worn or damaged cartilage. Cartilage restoration often involves using healthy cartilage from another part of your body or from a donor to repair a small area of damaged cartilage. In some instances, a series of tiny holes may be drilled into the surface of the bone to redirect new blood supply to the damaged cartilage, which can help stimulate the body’s natural healing process.

What Is Treated With Regenerative Medicine?

Orthopaedic injuries and conditions that are commonly treated with regenerative medicine approaches include:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Biceps tendinosis
• Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
• Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)
• Inflammation of the knee
• Osteoarthritis
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Patellar Tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
• Ankle ligament injuries

Benefits of Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine treatments and therapies offer a long list of benefits for those with injuries and chronic conditions. The potential benefits include:

• Increased function and movement
• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Potential to delay or avoid surgery
• Tissue repair and regeneration
• Minimally invasive
• Faster recovery
• Alternative treatment options to surgery and prescription medication

What to Expect During Treatment

If you are undergoing an injection therapy treatment your physician will first apply a local anesthetic spray to the injection site. Then, the therapy is injected into your body and may sometimes be performed with ultrasound guidance to help your physician target the affected area as precisely as possible.

You may experience mild pain or soreness for a few days following your injection. Ice and heat therapy and acetaminophen may help reduce your symptoms. Your physician may also recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a few days after receiving your injection or for the entire duration of your treatment.

University Orthopaedic Associates offers a wide range of orthopaedic services as well as treatment options for regenerative medicine. Contact UOA today at (732) 537-0909 to request an appointment.