Regenerative medicine is breaking new ground every day. In orthopedics, it is now possible to use your own adult stem cells to stop pain, heal injuries, and even regenerate lost cartilage. The treatment is non-surgical and results in little downtime.
How does it work?
Regenerative treatments can work by activating the body’s natural healing process to stimulate tissue regeneration and activate healing. These simple procedures take healthy, regenerative cells from either your fat tissues or bone marrow from the pelvic bone, where they are more concentrated, and inject them into the injured area of the body. This activates your body’s own adult stem cells and blood platelets to reduce inflammation, stimulate healing, and speed repair for bone, muscle, joint, soft tissue, and nerve injuries.
As the stem cells begin to do the work in your body, most patients report an improvement in pain and function within a few weeks and continue to improve for several months as the healing process continues. Ultimately, pain relief can last for several years.
Is this the same as an injection of amniotic stem cells?
No. Recent studies from both Cornell University and the nonprofit Interventional Orthopedics Foundation found that these “off the shelf” stem cell products made from birth tissues do not contain any live stem cells. They are so highly processed that the stem cells are dead by the time they are injected into the patient. In order for a stem cell treatment to work, the stem cells must be alive.
The gold standard among orthopedic leaders in regenerative medicine is to use a patient’s own adult stem cells from bone marrow. While this is a relatively painless and quick procedure, patients should ensure it is performed by a highly skilled orthopedic doctor using ultrasound guidance to ensure proper placement.
Can anyone have this procedure?
Regenerative medicine is an alternative for those who have been recently injured or who have chronic pain, as well as those who are looking to avoid surgery, prolong the need for surgery, or who just may not be a candidate for surgery.
The first step is to find out if you are a candidate through a consultation with an orthopedic specialist who will evaluate the injury and determine an individualized treatment plan. The initial consultation is covered by insurance. The success rates of the regenerative procedures depend on many factors and will be discussed once the doctor has reviewed your individual condition.
Locally, we are fortunate to have one of the most respected orthopedic surgeons in the country now offering this innovative procedure for a wide range of painful conditions. Reuben Gobezie, MD, is one of the country’s top specialists in both surgical and non-surgical techniques to restore damaged joints, ligaments, and bones. He founded Regen Orthopedics in 2014 and has helped hundreds relieve pain and regain function through regenerative medicine.
