Regenerative Therapy

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.