Regenerative medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on using the body’s own healing processes to treat illnesses, pain, and injuries.
This new branch of medicine is responsible for all organ and tissue transplants, including stem cell therapies and platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP).
Stem cell therapy and PRP are a popular combination when it comes to treating joint injuries, as both tap into your body’s healing capacity without requiring surgical interventions.
At Interventional Spine and Pain, we make it our goal to shed some light on the latest discoveries in medicine and share with you the safest and the most effective ways to deal with joint injuries.
Stem cells are used to treat a myriad of illnesses and injuries. There are two types of stem cells: specialized and unspecialized. Unspecialized stem cells can transform themselves into any type of cell, regardless of the tissue from which they’re extracted. Specialized stem cells, however, are more limited in their use. For example, blood stem cells can only generate other types of blood cells.
In the past, unspecialized stem cells could only be harvested from the umbilical cord. Today, specialists can turn specialized stem cells extracted from bone marrow, blood, and fat tissue into unspecialized stem cells.
The process of injecting unspecialized stem cells into your joints creates new cells that replace the damaged ones. The risks are kept to a minimum because your body won’t reject its own cells.
PRP therapy is a popular procedure among athletes who want to get back in the game faster with less pain.
In this procedure, platelets filled with growth factors are separated from your blood and injected into your joints in a concentrated form. These blood platelets are found naturally in your body, along with white and red blood cells, all working together to heal the body and speed up blood coagulation.
The procedure doesn't last longer than 45 minutes. It only requires a few blood collection tubes from the patient and a machine that separates the platelets from the rest of the blood components.
Both stem cell therapy and PRP therapy are minimally-invasive procedures that speed up recovery and require minimal downtime.
The biggest advantage of regenerative medicine therapies is not having to worry about your immune system attacking the injected cells.
If you live in Dallas Texas, get in touch with Dr. John S. Michels or schedule your appointment with our handy online booking tool for expert advice and treatment for your joint injury.
