Regenerative medicine represents an evolving area of treatment that aims to support tissue healing rather than simply masking symptoms. These therapies may benefit select patients with joint or soft tissue conditions.
Dr. Sperzel takes a careful, evidence based approach to regenerative treatments. He will discuss whether these options are appropriate for your specific condition and what outcomes can reasonably be expected.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine encompasses treatments that work with the body’s natural healing mechanisms. These may include platelet rich plasma and other biologic therapies that deliver concentrated healing factors to damaged tissues.
The goal is to create an environment that supports tissue repair and reduces inflammation. These treatments are typically delivered via injection directly to the affected area.
What Does Regenerative Medicine Treat?
Regenerative therapies may be considered for certain joint conditions, tendon injuries, and soft tissue problems. Common applications include knee osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendinopathy, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Not every patient or condition is appropriate for these treatments. Dr. Sperzel will evaluate your specific situation and provide an honest assessment of whether regenerative medicine may help you.
How Does Regenerative Medicine Work?
These treatments deliver concentrated biologic factors to injured tissues. Platelet rich plasma, for example, contains growth factors that may help reduce inflammation and support healing.
Results vary depending on the condition being treated, the severity of damage, and individual patient factors. Dr. Sperzel will explain what current evidence suggests and set realistic expectations.
What to Expect During the Procedure
For platelet-rich plasma treatment, a small amount of blood is drawn and processed to concentrate the platelets. The resulting preparation is then injected into the target tissue under ultrasound guidance.
The procedure typically takes 30 to 45 minutes including preparation time. You may experience mild soreness at the treatment site for several days as the healing response begins.
Recovery Timeline
Recovery varies by treatment type and the area being treated. You may be asked to limit strenuous activity for a period following the procedure to allow the healing process to proceed.
Improvement is typically gradual, occurring over weeks to months rather than days. Dr. Sperzel will outline a recovery plan and follow up schedule based on your specific treatment.
