Procedures
Amniotic Cells
Amniotic cell therapy is one of several biologic approaches being explored in orthopedics, and it remains an area of ongoing investigation. Dr. Nikolaj Wolfson discusses biologic options, and their limits, with patients at his practice in San Francisco.
What amniotic cell therapy refers to
Amniotic tissue is the membrane and fluid that surround a developing fetus during pregnancy. Products derived from donated amniotic tissue and fluid have been studied in a number of medical fields because that tissue contains cells and other biological components involved in normal tissue development. In orthopedics, preparations from amniotic sources have been used investigationally as injectable biologic materials, generally with the aim of influencing the local environment of an injured or degenerating tissue.
It is important to be clear about what is and is not known. Amniotic and other biologic preparations are an area of active research rather than a settled treatment, and the products available differ in how they are processed, in what they contain and in regulatory status. This page therefore describes the general concept only. It does not claim that amniotic cell therapy relieves pain, heals tissue, restores cartilage, or changes the course of any orthopedic condition, and it should not be read as a recommendation for or against it.
Questions that often bring people in
- Ongoing joint or tendon pain that has not settled with the measures already tried
- A wish to understand what regenerative and biologic options actually involve
- Information encountered online or from another source that is difficult to interpret
- A desire to explore alternatives before considering surgery
- Uncertainty about whether a biologic approach is appropriate for a particular diagnosis
How a case is evaluated
Any conversation about biologic therapy begins with a diagnosis, not with the therapy. Dr. Wolfson will take a history, examine the affected area, and review your imaging and any prior treatment records. Some conditions are structural problems that a biologic injection is not designed to address at all. Others may be reasonable to discuss. Suitability is decided case by case, and there is no single answer that applies to everyone.
Where this sits among the options
Non-surgical care in orthopedics covers a broad range of measures that may be discussed depending on the condition.
- Activity and load management. Adjusting the demands placed on an irritated joint or tendon.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation. Structured work on motion, strength and mechanics, often central regardless of what else is done.
- Bracing and appliances. External support intended to change how load passes through a joint.
- Injection-based options. Conventional injections as well as biologic preparations, each with its own evidence base and its own limitations.
Where non-surgical measures do not achieve what a patient needs, surgical options may be discussed. Biologic therapy is not a substitute for a procedure that is genuinely indicated, and it is not offered as one here.
What to expect when you consult Dr. Wolfson
Dr. Wolfson, MD, FRCSC, FACS, is board certified in the United States and Canada. He follows emerging orthopedic technology and is equally direct about its uncertainties. At a consultation he will explain what is understood about a given approach, what is not yet established, and what the realistic alternatives are for your diagnosis. If he does not think a biologic option is appropriate for you, he will say so and explain why.
Schedule a consultation in San Francisco
Dr. Nikolaj Wolfson discusses biologic and regenerative options, and their limits, at Wolfson Orthopedics, 2300 Sutter Street, Suite 207, San Francisco. New patients are welcome, and telemedicine visits are available.
This page provides general information about amniotic cell therapy as a concept and is not medical advice, and it is not a claim of effectiveness for any condition. It is not a substitute for examination, imaging and diagnosis by a qualified physician. Every case is different and requires individual evaluation. If you have severe pain, an obvious deformity, loss of function, fever, or an injury from a significant accident, seek medical care promptly.
Contact Dr. Wolfson if you would like to setup an appointment. If you are a new patient, please book all in-person appointments with Dr. Wolfson via telephone.
If you live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, you can request a complimentary phone consultation with Dr. Wolfson to assess your case. Please call or e-mail us to set up your complimentary consultation.
Common questions
Is amniotic cell therapy an established treatment for arthritis or tendon injury?
No. It is an area of ongoing investigation. This page describes the general concept for the sake of patient education and does not make any claim that it works for any condition.
Is it the same as stem cell therapy or PRP?
They are different things, though often grouped together under the heading of biologics or regenerative medicine. Platelet-rich plasma is prepared from a sample of your own blood, other approaches use cells taken from your own body, and amniotic products are derived from donated tissue. The terms are frequently used loosely, which is one reason to discuss them with a physician who can explain the distinctions.
How do I find out whether it applies to my case?
Through an individual evaluation. Bring your imaging and records to a consultation, and Dr. Wolfson can explain what your diagnosis appears to be and which options, biologic or otherwise, are worth considering for it.
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Make an appointment
Dr. Wolfson is accepting new patients in San Francisco.