Regenerating tissue to restore function is a breakthrough in the treatment of joint pain. Injury and age-related breakdown of normal tissue are one of the most common causes of pain. Over the past two decades, advances in medicine have been developed that harness the power of cells from your own body to stimulate tissue repair.
Stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are the major cells used in regenerative medicine techniques to reverse musculoskeletal damage. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Matthew Pifer, MD, specializes in regenerative therapies to heal damaged tissues and restore function.
If you’re dealing with joint pain, keep reading to find out how regenerative medicine can help relieve your pain.
For millions of people with joint pain, simple daily activities like opening jars or engaging in physical activities can cause pain and distress. Joint pain can result from injury but often occurs due to the gradual breakdown of tissue the joint relies on to function. When crucial components such as cartilage that cushions the joint break down bones rub together, causing pain and stiffness.
You’re at a higher risk of joint pain if you:
Because age is commonly a factor in painful joints, people who are older are at a higher risk of joint pain. Regenerative medicine focuses on stimulating the repair of damaged tissue and the growth of new tissue to restore joint function.
By the time most people seek treatment for joint pain, the tissue damage is often extensive enough that the body has trouble healing itself. Platelet-rich plasma therapy amplifies the body’s natural healing response.
When normal tissue is damaged, the body releases platelets that are packed with growth factors and other healing agents. Platelets play a crucial role in jumpstarting the healing process of damaged tissue.
PRP therapy involves extracting platelets from your own blood and injecting this powerful serum directly into the damaged tissue. PRP injections contain a highly concentrated source of growth factors, which stimulate and accelerate healing.
The sooner the treatment, the better the outcome. PRP therapy is highly effective at treating pain caused by:
PRP therapy eases pain from these conditions by reducing inflammation, aiding in tissue repair, and potentially slowing wear and tear. Patients treated with PRP therapy have shown significant improvements in pain and joint function.
Stem cells are special starter cells that serve as raw material for your body to build upon. They have the capability of developing into any type of cells, such as cartilage and muscle. Stem cells are the only cells in your body with this capability. What’s more, stem cells can divide to produce more cells.
The goal of stem cell therapy is to help your body regenerate new healthy tissue to replace damaged or diseased tissue. The result is that the new tissue helps to restore joint function and alleviating pain.
Dr. Pifer uses stem cell therapy both as a stand-alone treatment and in conjunction with other therapies.
You don’t have to live with joint pain. If you’re struggling with joint pain, we can help. To get started, schedule a visit for a thorough evaluation. Call our Santa Barbara office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Pifer. To keep orthopedic patients connected with high-quality care, we offer in-person and telemedicine appointments. Our team is here to meet your orthopedic needs.
