At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we aim to provide the most innovative orthopaedic and musculoskeletal treatments, including minimally invasive procedures. At the forefront of these non-surgical options is regenerative medicine, sometimes referred to as orthobiologics, which uses the body’s ability to heal itself to manage musculoskeletal injuries effectively.
While it’s considered a developing field, research and clinical trials have proven the biological underpinnings of these treatments. Many of our Physicians actively participate by serving as Principal Investigators or Investigators for studies through the Andrews Research and Education Foundation. Regenerative medicine includes two primary procedures being developed and tested for orthopaedic application: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy. Continue scrolling to learn more!
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy can assist patients as they heal from overuse injuries, joint arthritis, strains and sprains of the muscles, tendons and ligaments and those who suffer from Tendonitis and Tendonosis.
The process begins by drawing and transferring a patient’s blood to a test tube. The sample is then placed into a centrifuge, separating the platelets from the red and white blood cells. This method’s final volume of platelets is usually two to three times more than the initial concentrations. As an alternative, the blood sample may be prepared using a buffy coat–based process, which includes a second high-speed spin in the centrifuge resulting in platelet concentrations that are three to eight times higher than those isolated by a plasma-based preparation.
After centrifugation, the PRP product is mixed with an anticoagulant, such as sodium citrate, preventing blood from clotting before being activated. This final preparation, now rich in healing growth factors, is injected into the injury site, allowing the platelets to work and promoting recovery of the injured tissue and damaged cartilage, blood vessels or soft tissue.
Stem Cell Therapy also harnesses the body’s power to promote healing and recovery using the adult stem cells found in various tissues within the body. Providers in our practice have tested this treatment’s efficacy for meniscus tears, tendon strains and tears, ligament sprains or tears, patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee), joint arthritis and overuse injuries.
Stem cell therapy is used to help manage pain and promote healing through the regeneration of muscle, bone, tendons, ligaments and cartilage by replacing diseased or damaged tissue with healthy tissue that effectively performs its essential functions.
The stem cells in this process differentiate themselves, allowing them to “grow” into various cell types based on the body’s needs. This effect, coupled with the anti-inflammatory properties of stem cells, is believed to lead to pain relief and the potential healing of an injury.
Stem cells not only have the potential to replace diseased or damaged cell structures they also act to recruit other repair cells to the injury site, which can lead to long-term recovery. The process begins with harvesting stem cells from a patient’s bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue. The product is then processed before being injected back into the patient’s body using ultrasound guidance to precisely target the desired location.
Our offices offer same-day visits in our facilities as well as telehealth appointments. We are equipped with the latest on-site imaging and diagnostic equipment, and do not require a referral.
