- November 13, 2017 -

Regenerative Medicine and Joint Repair

What is Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine is an exciting, cutting-edge medical field that can repair and replace tissue damaged by age, injury, or disease. It is particularly useful in addressing joint problems, as studies have shown that regenerative medicine is able to repair damage to a patient’s hips, knees, and shoulders through the introduction of growth factors and stems cells. Using these methods, regenerative medicine boosts the body’s own natural healing processes and restores functionality to a patient’s tissues and cartilage. There has also been extensive research into the potential for regenerative medicine to restore and maybe one day even reproduce living organs.

How does Regenerative Medicine Work?

Regenerative medicine works by using two types of regenerative material: Platelet Rich Plasma, and stem cells. These are injected into the damaged tissue or cartilage to spur regeneration. The first type of regenerative medicine, Platelet Rich Plasma (or PRP), is drawn from the patient’s own blood and contains the growth factors necessary to increase soft tissue healing, improve bone regeneration, and reduce scar formation. The second type, stems cells, are extracted from the patient’s bone marrow or from amniotic tissue, and then injected into the afflicted site to stimulate the healing of tissue. This is made possible because stem cells are “undifferentiated,” meaning they have not yet been programmed to grow into a specific type of tissue or organ. This gives them the ability to conform to the area where they are injected and begin the process of repairing and restoration.

Why is Regenerative Medicine Important?

Regenerative medicine is important because it has the potential to heal patients that might otherwise suffer from  incurable injuries and diseases . It also allows patients to avoid intrusive surgeries that require lengthy healing times and months of painful rehabilitation. These regenerative injection treatments, which are an affordable alternative to surgery, are out-patient procedures that can often be administered in a matter of hours. Considering just how prevalent joint problems are, regenerative medicine has the potential to improve the quality of life for many Americans, particularly those living in chronic pain.

Regenerative Medicine in San Antonio

Spine & Joint Pain Specialists of San Antonio offer cutting-edge regenerative medicine treatment options. Platelet Rich Plasma and stem cell injections are available for common interventional pain procedures such as joint pain in the wrists, elbows, knees and more. Why live with back or joint pain when regenerative medicine is available in San Antonio? Call Spine & Joint Pain Specialists today to  make an appointment and discuss your treatment options with a member of our staff.