Regenerative Therapies

Regenerative therapy is a generic term to describe a variety of different therapeutic interventions which stimulate the body to repair and regenerate its own tissue. This was famously described by Drs. Hackett and Hemwall in the 1930’s and was termed Prolotherapy. These physicians used a high concentration sugar based solution, often with other irritating additives, to stimulate an inflammatory response. This inflammatory response, a normal reaction by the body to this irritating solution, is associated with the development of controlled scar tissue in the region, strengthening the structure which has been damaged. Regenerative therapies have developed over the years to a more sophisticated form of treatment; PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and Stem Cell Therapy which instead provides the direct delivery of cells and tissue growth factors to the area of injury through an injection. All regenerative medicine techniques work by sending a message to the body to regrow and repair damaged tissue. Regenerative therapies are typically performed to ligamentous, tendinous, or cartilaginous surfaces. These particular tissues typically receive poor blood supply and it is this lack of blood flow in part that prevents these injuries from healing properly; the body must be able to deliver repair cells into the area of damage. Regenerative therapy techniques involve the placement of these reparative cells directly into the area of damage.

Prolo Therapy

Prolotherapy was the originally described regenerative therapy technique. A number of different solutions have been used for prolotherapy. Prolotherapy causes an inflammatory reaction and stimulates the body to send repair cells into the area. Prolotherapy is still appropriate for many injuries and may be less expensive; however it typically requires more than one treatment whereas PRP can often achieve its intended goal with a single injection.

Platelet Rich Plasma Injections (PRP)

PRP injections have been used for an increasing number of injuries over the years. PRP involves the injection of high concentrations of autologous (obtained from the patient’s own blood) platelets, and the tissue growth factors which they contain, to help promote the body to heal the injured tissue.

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Stem Cell Injections

involve the harvesting and isolating of stems cells obtained from either bone marrow and/or fat and re-injecting these stem cells into the area of damage. These are typically used for more severe conditions, most commonly for degenerative osteoarthritis, when regeneration of cartilage is required. (please see our full stem cell description).

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Fat Graft

Fat grafts are o included with all stem cell injections and with certain PRP injections. Fat is one of the richest sources of stem cells, and contains a number of other cells and substances which help promote tissue growth. Fat can also act as a scaffold for the growth of new tissue. The fat graft is typically obtained from the abdominal wall

For further information on Regenerative Therapies please contact the office