Regenerative Medicine: Why It’s a Game-Changer in Repairing Damaged Joints

Your body is made up of several complex joints that help you bend, sit, and stay on the move. When your joints aren’t working like they should because of injuries or disease, it can put limitations on your life and leave you in a great deal of pain.

As a regenerative medicine specialist, Tammy Penhollow, DO, offers comprehensive treatment for damaged joints. These regenerative treatments harness the power of your body’s own ability to heal, so you can enjoy long-term pain relief and a significant improvement in your joint’s mobility.

Why your joints hurt so much

A joint is where two or more bones connect together. Your joints are supported by muscles, tendons, and ligaments that hold the bones in place and make it possible for you to move the joint in a variety of ways.

When any of these structures are damaged, your joint might not function as it should. Age-related changes in your joint can also lead to chronic joint pain. Some of the most common causes of joint dysfunction and pain include:

Arthritis

Arthritis describes chronic inflammation in a joint. While there are over 100 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common.

Osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of the protective cartilage that lines the end of the joint, which allows the bones to rub together. This causes friction that leads to chronic inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissues in the joints, leading to chronic inflammation and pain.

Bursitis

Bursitis is a condition that involves persistent inflammation in the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint.

Dislocations

Dislocations describe a condition where the ends of the joint bones move out of place, typically due to sports injuries.

If you’re unable to find relief of chronic joint pain from conservative therapies, like over-the-counter medications, rest, and ice therapy, Dr. Penhollow can determine if you’re a candidate for treatment with regenerative medicine.

What to expect from regenerative medicine

Several regenerative medicine therapies are available at Precision Regenerative Medicine to help you find long-term relief of joint pain. Since the treatments also address the underlying cause of your pain, you can expect your results to be long-lasting.

Depending on your needs, Dr. Penhollow can determine which type of regenerative therapy is right for you. We offer in-office treatments like:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

Platelet-rich plasma therapy involves injections of high concentrations of PRP into the affected joint.

PRP comes from your own blood and contains growth factors that stimulate your body’s healing processes to repair damaged soft tissues.

Stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy uses bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) cells that come from your bone marrow. 

Injections of mesenchymal stem cells are injected into your joint and have the unique ability to regenerate into any type of cell, including bone, nerve, and soft tissue cells to help heal your joints from the inside out.

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy involves injections of a dextrose solution and a local anesthetic into damaged tissues that surround your joint. 

Dextrose triggers your body’s natural healing response, stimulating your body to send more stem cells and natural blood platelets to the area.

The benefits of regenerative medicine for joint pain

Regenerative medicine is highly effective at healing damaged joints nearly anywhere in your body, including your knees, elbow, shoulders, and spine.

Other benefits of regenerative medicine for joint pain include:

• Minimally invasive treatment
• No downtime
• Minimal side effects
• Long-lasting results

PRP and stem cell therapy might also help prevent the need for more invasive treatments including joint replacement surgery.

You don’t have to live with chronic joint pain. Find out how you can benefit from regenerative medicine therapies by calling Precision Regenerative Medicine or by booking a consultation online today.