Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most common reasons for visits to the doctor. Whether it’s from a muscle, tendon, or ligament injury, you want the pain to stop. If you have these types of soft tissue or joint issues, there has been no easy medical answer to quickly get you back on the court or dance floor. But that is changing.
Regenerative medicine is a fast-growing branch of medicine that uses your own body’s mechanisms or a donor to repair or replace damaged tissue. It may not be science fiction for regenerative medicine to help heal damaged body organs in the coming years.
More than a decade ago, Tiger Woods had platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to heal an ACL injury; it healed more quickly than with traditional therapies alone. Likewise, Alex Rodriguez had PRP treatments after joint surgery that allowed faster return to the playing field. As news spread about successful treatment of these and other celebrities and elite athletes, regenerative medicine has expanded access to the masses.
Right now, forward-looking orthopedic practices are using regenerative medicine to heal soft tissue injuries and treat arthritis in some joints. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Coastal Empire Orthopedics use several regenerative medicine methods that can speed healing from injuries and help calm pain and inflammation from arthritis.
Regenerative medicine to help heal musculoskeletal injuries is still in an early stage. Research yields promising results for soft tissue injuries/joint injuries as well as arthritis of particular joints. Studies show good results with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for patients with osteoarthritis and tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries. The use of regenerative medicine for knee arthritis looks incredibly promising. Our orthopedic surgeons treat the following musculoskeletal disorders based on recent research results.
Regenerative medicine has several crucial advantages as a treatment for arthritis and many musculoskeletal injuries.
You may have been relying on over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers for your arthritis or tendon, ligament, or muscle injury. Drugs only mask your symptoms and aren’t a healthy option in the long term. Side effects from overuse of pain medication include kidney damage and other health issues. Physicians only prescribe opioids in limited circumstances now — usually just after an operation — due to the opioid epidemic.
Regenerative medicine uses only your blood or the blood of a donor when you’re treated. It’s all-natural. Scientists are continuing to learn how your own body’s mechanisms can play a central role in healing and calming inflammation and pain.
Tendon and ligament injuries can end your sports season. Weeks of physical therapy turn into months. Regenerative medicine used alongside traditional therapy yields faster healing.
Regenerative medicine requires no incisions or stitches. Depending on the type of treatment, you may have blood draws. Your blood, remixed so that thousands of healing blood platelets are grouped, is injected back into you at the site of your injury or arthritis to stimulate your healing.
Regenerative medicine, when performed by board-certified qualified orthopedic surgeons, poses little to no risk. You’re in safe hands.
Call Coastal Empire Orthopedics or schedule an appointment through our online portal for state-of-the-art regenerative medicine treatment for your musculoskeletal pain.
