What is Regenerative Medicine?
As the name implies, this field uses innovative bio-engineering to develop—or regenerate—new tissue. The idea is to find ways to stimulate the body’s natural healing functions. In many ways, regenerative medicine can be much less invasive than more traditional measures, such as surgery.
Regenerative Medicine Services
There are many different regimens that fall into this branch of medicine. Fort Wayne Orthopedics offers three out-patient regenerative medicine treatments.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
Platelets contain proteins that aid in rebuilding tissue. So by increasing the number of platelets in an injured area, the chance of recovery grows. To boost the count, doctors withdraw some blood from the patient and then use a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. Those platelets are then injected into the affected part of the body. This method is used for sports and other injuries involving tendons and ligaments, osteoarthritis and muscle strains.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells can grow into any cell needed by your body and can be a catalyst for healing. Degenerative orthopedic conditions and diseases even some injuries are treated through experimental stem cell therapy. A small amount of bone marrow tissue is withdrawn from the patient. Certain stem cells from the tissue are isolated and then the substance is injected into the area needing treatment.
The use of stem cell therapy for treatment of orthopedic conditions is not yet FDA approved.
Viscosupplementation
This is used to treat patients with knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid—a substance found naturally in the body—is injected into the knee joint. The gel-like fluid increases lubrication around the joint, allowing for smoother movement with less resistance. Unlike corticosteroid shots, which only treat a symptom of osteoarthritis—inflammation—viscosupplementation deals with the problem at hand and acts as a substitute for cartilage loss.
Regenerative Medicine Doctors
Matthew Beuchel, MD
Jerald L. Cooper, MD
Steven R. Eddy, MD
Adam Hall, MD
Jason Hanna, MD
B. Matthew Hicks, MD
Kevin Leffers, MD
John Paul M. Manalo, MD
Ian Nelson, MD
Phillip C. Penny, DO
Kevin A. Rahn, MD
Greg Sassmannshausen, MD
Robert M. Shugart, MD
Matthew J. Snyder, MD
Joshua M. Winters, MD
We provide additional regenerative medicine treatments and services in partnership with Fort Wayne Regenerative Medicine.
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