Non-surgical Joint Pain Relief Regenerative Options

 

Regenerative medicine is a branch of medicine that promotes healing at the source of damaged tissue. It uses the body’s own natural healing mechanisms to repair and decrease inflammation. FDA compliant autologous (from self) orthobiologic injections using platelets (PRP) or your own fat tissue (Lipogems) are used to target pain at joints, muscles and tendons to decrease pain and improve daily function. Dr. Rolnik believes in offering regenerative options before heading to surgery when possible. Nonsurgical treatments mean faster recovery and return to work or normal activities.

 

Biologic regenerative therapies can also help restore collagen loss due to normal aging and hair loss in both men and women. Other applications include treating erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence or pelvic floor problems in women.

 

Regenerative Medicine covers a field of medicine that includes areas such as  Biologics, Growth Factors, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and Tissue Engineering. The future is bright for regenerative medicine with many academic institutions conducting studies all around the world to find solutions for many different medical ailments. 

 

When a sports injury is unlikely to heal with traditional nonsurgical treatments, regenerative medicine treatment is an available option that patients and doctors can opt for.

 

As defined by the National Institutes of Health, regenerative medicine is “the process of creating living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissue or organ function lost due to age, disease, damage, or congenital defects.”  The goal is to restore damaged tissue that has a minimal chance of recovering on its own. 

 

One regenerative medicine category is cellular therapies, which promote healing via the placement or injection of live cells in patients. These include PRP, which can be applicable in tendinopathy or other categories of sports injuries. 

 

Another component is tissue engineering, which involves the replacement and repair of damaged tissue using tissue made from natural means, artificial, or a combination of the two. When applied to sports medicine, tissue engineering can be used to address injuries in which cartilage has been severely damaged.

 

There are other therapies available that work to facilitate the body’s natural healing response without the placement of new cells or tissues. One example is prolotherapy.

 

When regenerative medicine is recommended to treat sports injuries, the primary goal is to:

 

• • • Supplement the body’s natural healing systems

    • Promote the growth of new tendons, ligaments, or cartilage tissue

    • Reduce pain and improve functions in areas affected by injuries

 

Regenerative medicine is a supplement, not a substitute for essential nonsurgical remedies for sports injuries. It is important for patients to continue practicing proper rest, bracing, taping, and/or physical therapy to ensure optimal flexibility, mobility, and strength. Regenerative medicine and traditional treatments can be applied simultaneously to maximize the healing experience.

 

At Remedy Sports and Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Rolnik can work with you in evaluating areas of concern, then recommend the appropriate course of treatment. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our number at (925) 464-7278 or visit or scheduling link above.