At Opdahl Regenerative Medicine, we primarily utilize regenerative cellular therapy, a process that expedites and aids your body’s innate healing mechanisms. This therapy plays a crucial role in the regeneration of tissues. Scientific studies have substantiated its potential to transform into various cell types, either within laboratory settings or within the human body. Among the most frequently used regenerative medicine treatments are Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, Stromal Vascular Fraction, Bone Marrow Aspirations and Prolotherapy.
Regenerative Medicine Q & A
What is Regenerative Medicine?
At Opdahl Regenerative Medicine, we specialize in non-invasive procedures, prioritizing the holistic well-being of our patients. Utilizing cutting-edge techniques, our team conducts comprehensive assessments to tailor personalized pain relief strategies for individuals in Vancouver, WA, Battle Ground, Woodland, and Gresham, OR. Regenerative medicine has emerged as a prominent aspect of our treatments, with the aim of assisting patients in achieving optimal health and an improved quality of life.
Traditionally, treatment options for individuals with degenerative conditions were limited. Steroid injections, physical therapy, prescription drugs, and joint replacement surgeries were often the primary choices not too long ago. Today, residents of Vancouver, Washington, can benefit from regenerative medicine injections at Opdahl Regenerative Medicine. Extensive research has demonstrated the potential of this treatment for orthopedic conditions like arthritis. Regenerative medicine harnesses the body’s natural healing abilities, prompting it to repair degenerated tissues, thereby rejuvenating and restoring areas affected by aging or injury. Unlike treatments merely addressing symptoms, this therapy fosters the body’s healing process itself.
3 Main Types of Regenerative Medicine:
- Regenerative Cellular Therapy: Regenerative cells can develop into many different types of cells, such as replacement tissue for a damaged knee joint or shoulder tendon. Regenerative cells are typically harvested from bone marrow extracted from your hip or from your adipose tissue (fat) from your back or stomach, and they can reduce or eliminate the need for surgery.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Platelet-rich plasma therapy uses your blood platelets to heal wounds and soft tissue injuries. PRP plays a critical role in activating your body’s regenerative cells to regenerate healthy tissue at the site of an injury where tendons and ligaments have been damaged.
- Prolotherapy: Prolotherapy triggers your body’s natural healing response with an injection of an irritant, such as sugar water or salt water, that stimulates the production of new collagen. Prolotherapy can help heal a range of orthopedic conditions, including chronic pain.
How Do You Know the Needle is in the Right Place?
Our providers use ultrasound imaging for viewing the soft tissues in real time. All of our providers have received advanced training in the use of ultrasound diagnostics and imaging. We want to ensure we perform the injections with precision and accuracy.
What Happens After the Treatment is Completed?
Depending on the specific treatment area, the use of crutches or upper body immobilization may not always be required. In cases where immobilization is deemed necessary, it is typically continued for up to 2 days. Most patients may experience some soreness for a maximum of 48 hours, which should gradually diminish. Patients have the option to use Tylenol or other non-anti-inflammatory pain relievers. It’s important to avoid NSAIDs and other anti-inflammatory medications in the post-procedure period as they can impede the healing response. For approximately one week following the procedure, patients should abstain from engaging in strenuous physical activities or sports. Routine follow-up evaluations are scheduled every 4-8 weeks after the procedure to assess progress and determine any further treatment recommendations.
What are the Benefits of Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative therapies and treatment options have numerous benefits, including:
- Natural pain relief instead of prescription medications
- Increased healing potential
- Improved mobility and function
- Faster recovery time
- Reduced time away from sports, work, or daily activities
What Conditions Does Regenerative Medicine Treat?
When dealing with persistent and challenging-to-treat conditions and injuries, particularly orthopedic injuries, regenerative medicine therapy stands out as a frequently explored option. Regenerative therapies possess the scientific capability to enhance the body’s innate repair mechanisms, facilitating more efficient healing and cell regeneration. Regenerative therapy offers the distinct advantage of self-renewal.
Within the realm of orthopedics, regenerative medicine therapy has shown promising results for a wide range of conditions. While its potential applications are extensive, here are some of the conditions that have displayed particularly noteworthy outcomes:
- Bones
- Muscles
- Joints
- Soft tissues
- Nerve injuries
- Spinal pain
- Chronic pain
- Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis
This is a more comprehensive list of conditions that Regenerative Medicine treats:
Muscle Recovery:
Achieving a full and functional recovery from a skeletal muscle injury can be a formidable task, primarily due to the potential delay caused by the formation of scar tissue. Regenerative medicines possess the capacity to transform into muscle cells and regulate the immune system’s response, consequently expediting the process of muscle repair and recovery.
Meniscus Injuries:
Although relatively small in size, the meniscus has the potential to cause significant pain when it sustains injury or tearing. Sudden, forceful twisting motions can result in partial or complete tears, a common occurrence among highly active athletes, particularly those engaged in running.
For complete tears, surgical intervention is typically necessary to excise the damaged tissue, followed by a period of rehabilitation. In most parts of the meniscus, regeneration capacity is limited or nonexistent. However, research indicates that regenerative medicine therapy can stimulate the healing process when strategically applied to the cartilage.
Tendon and ligaments Injuries:
Tendons and ligaments do have the potential to heal naturally after an injury, but the tissue that forms during this process is often of lower quality compared to the original tissue. Occasionally, grafts are employed to enhance functionality, but they come with concerns like tissue rejection and the risk of infection. Regenerative Medicine Therapies have been researched and have demonstrated their capacity to repair structures like the Achilles tendon, suggesting their ability to regenerate tendon tissue.
Intervertebral Disc and Spine:
Tendons and ligaments do have the potential to heal naturally after an injury, but the tissue that forms during this process is often of lower quality compared to the original tissue. Occasionally, grafts are employed to enhance functionality, but they come with concerns like tissue rejection and the risk of infection. Regenerative Medicine Therapies have been researched and have demonstrated their capacity to repair structures like the Achilles tendon, suggesting their ability to regenerate tendon tissue.
Rotator Cuff Injuries:
Over 3 million cases of rotator cuff injuries are identified in the U.S. annually. The rotator cuff comprises the collection of tissues connecting the muscle to the bone around the shoulder joint. It’s a common ailment among individuals engaged in repetitive shoulder movements, such as tennis players. While treatments like rest, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections are applied, persistent pain may necessitate surgery. Regenerative therapy holds the potential to assist in the healing of rotator cuff tears due to its capacity for tissue regeneration.
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