Regenerative Injection Therapy is a new cutting edge treatment for pain management and is available in Gilbert, AZ and the East Valley Communities of Chandler, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley and Mesa, AZ by various skilled and highly rated physicians. Let’s dive into some Common Questions!
Regenerative Injection Common Questions
Regenerative Injection Therapy has been around for over a decade in the United States and has mainly been utilized by orthopedic specialists and sports medicine doctors during that time. Over the past few years it has exploded in popularity and availability and now various physicians such as rheumatologists, primary care doctors, pain management specialist and integrative physicians offer the therapy. Due to its recent emergence, the therapy has now penetrated into public consciousness and mainstream outlets.
This development has raised many questions from patients and even other healthcare providers who are not up to date on the therapy and new literature as it is not the standard of care.
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are undifferentiated precursor cells that have the capability to develop into other cell types. Mesenchymal stem cells are precursor cells to connective tissue cells in the body. These cells can develop into cartilage, bone, muscle, and fat cells based on the environment they are placed in.
How Effective are Regenerative Injections?
Effectiveness depends on the severity of the condition and location. Stem Cell treatments have better clinical outcomes for osteoarthritis of the knee than all conventional therapies short of a complete knee replacement. Stem cell injections have also repeatedly outperformed conventional care treatments such as cortisone shots for tendon and ligament related pain conditions. Obviously, we are still in the early stages of clinical research and more studies directly comparing stem cell treatments to standard of care options are greatly needed and will over time emerge.
What conditions may benefit?
- Arthritis
- Partially torn ligaments
- Tendonitis
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Injuries due to sports or exercising
- SI Joint Dysfunction
- Chronic pain in the elbow, ankle, hips, knees or shoulders
- Instability, loss of balance, stiffness and loss of range of motion
Does the treatment hurt?
The answer to this question depends on each person’s own pain tolerance. In general, there is some minor pain but it is minimized by the use of local anesthetic. Some clinics will also offer general anesthesia or prescription pain medications to minimize pain and discomfort during the procedure.
What Stem Cells are used?
Mesenchymal stem cells are used for orthopedic pain management treatments. They can be derived from 2 different sources in the United States
- Bone Marrow
- Adipose Tissue (fat)
Some other countries allow the use of live umbilical cord, amniotic, and placental stem cells. Regenerative allografts derived from these sources can be used in the United States as long as they follow federal guidelines and are minimally manipulated and are for homologous use only but they do not contain live stem cells and are not a stem cell therapy.
How much is Stem Cell treatments cost?
This answer once again depends on the location and severity of the condition. Generally speaking autologous live stem cell treatments will typically be in the ballpark of 5-1ok. In comparison, this cost is only a small fraction as it relates to most orthopedic surgeries that can in some cases cost over 100K.
Who is a candidate for Stem Cell Therapy?
Candidates for stem cell therapy treatments include anyone with musculoskeletal pain excluding poorly controlled diabetics, people with autoimmune conditions, grossly obese individuals, immuno-compromised patients, people on steroids such as cortisone or prednisone, people on daily NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen, and people with high levels of inflammation.
How many treatments are needed?
This also depends on severity and location. In general, 1-3 treatments usually provide significant and long lasting relief but this varies greatly. Always ask your physician ahead of time about prognosis and their track record for greater insight.
What are the Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy?
- Pain Relief
- Repair and Healing of Connective Tissue
- Natural
- Quicker Recovery Time than Surgery
- Non-Surgical / Non-Opioid
Is Rehab and Physical Therapy needed afterwards?
Minimal rehab work is generally needed after the treatment but each physician and clinic has their own preferences. Physical therapy is a great adjunctive treatment to regenerative injections and is relatively low risk to complete compared to the high upside value and increased clinical outcomes that it provides after a regenerative procedure.
Stop Suffering and Live the Pain Free Life YOU intended Today!
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are for educational purposes only. If you are interested in autologous stem cell therapy, we will happily connect you to local and trusted providers as we do not provide that service but are strong proponents of its potential.
