Broadly, regenerative medicine is using your own body to help heal itself. There are several types of regenerative treatments, including Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cells, now called cell based therapy. We use these both in the office and the operating room to help reduce inflammation and encourage healing.

Different types of regenerative medicine work by unique mechanisms, and depend on the type of injury. PRP and similar modality work by concentrating healing factors in your own blood, and placing that at the site of injury. It works especially well for soft tissue pathology. Stem cells, and particularly Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), provide a rich supply of “progenitor” cells that are the foundation for healing.

Yes! A nuanced evaluation of current literature shows that modern technique and processing is essential for best function of regenerative medicine, but that there is strong, lasting benefit across many types of injuries. But as with any research, it is careful to be very specific about the claims supported by data. Most studies only track and can support results out to a few years. Regenerative medicine isn’t a cure, but being able to put surgery off for a few years is a pretty good outcome.

Mayo Clinic: PRP

Harvard/Mass General: PRP

We evaluate each patient on a case by case basis, taking full account of their injury, functional status, and goals. Motivated patients’ with realistic goals and treatable pathology will do the best. Unfortunately, while these treatments will not cure chronic bone-on-bone arthritis, they may absolutely buy another few years until a joint replacement is needed!

Regenerative medicine is different than traditional steroid injections in that it may take several weeks until you start to feel relief - this is to be expected. Each procedure is different, but most office based procedures will be done wide awake under local anesthetic. We will obtain your tissue sample, process it, and provide the treatment at the same sitting. For other procedures where bone marrow is harvested (bone marrow aspirate concentrate - BMAC), light sedation is preferred by most patients.