Regenerative Medicine

What the term covers

In orthopedics, regenerative medicine is used loosely to describe a group of biologic treatments delivered mostly by injection. What they have in common is the idea of introducing biological material into an injured or degenerating tissue in the hope of influencing the local healing environment. What they do not have in common is a single evidence base. The individual approaches differ from one another in how the material is obtained, how it is processed, what it contains, how it is regulated, and how much is actually known about it.

This page describes the general concepts so that patients can follow the conversation. It does not claim that any of these approaches relieves pain, regrows cartilage, heals a tear, or alters the course of arthritis or any other condition. Marketing language in this field often runs ahead of the evidence, which is a reason to discuss it with a surgeon who will say plainly what is established and what is not.

Approaches that are usually grouped under this heading

• Platelet-rich plasma. A small sample of your own blood is processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet and plasma fraction, which is then injected. See Plasma Rich Platelets (PRP) and Stem Cells.
• Cell-based therapy from your own tissue. Cells are taken from the patient, most often from bone marrow, processed, and re-injected into the affected area.
• Amniotic and other donor-derived preparations. Products derived from donated tissue, used investigationally as injectable biologic material. See Amniotic Cells.
• Joint preservation and restoration measures. A broader category that includes non-injection approaches such as therapy, bracing and lifestyle adjustment aimed at protecting a joint.

Reasons people ask about it

• Ongoing joint, tendon or ligament pain that has not settled with the measures already tried
• A wish to explore alternatives before considering an operation
• Being told that a joint is not yet at the stage where replacement is appropriate
• Information found online or from another source that is hard to evaluate

How a case is evaluated

Any discussion of biologic treatment starts with the diagnosis. Dr. Wolfson will take a history, examine the affected area, and review your imaging and prior records. Some problems are mechanical or structural and are not something an injection is designed to address. Others may be reasonable to discuss. Suitability is decided case by case, and there is no approach here that is right for everyone.

What to expect when you consult Dr. Wolfson

Dr. Wolfson, MD, FRCSC, FACS, is board certified in the United States and Canada, and he is committed to exploring non-surgical treatment for joint pain and sports injury wherever it is reasonable. At a consultation he will explain what your diagnosis appears to be, which options genuinely apply to it, what each is intended to do, and what remains uncertain. Where he does not think a biologic approach is appropriate, he will say so and explain the alternatives.

This page provides general information about regenerative medicine as a category and is not medical advice, and it is not a claim of effectiveness for any treatment or 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.

Call: (415) 221-4400

E-mail: [email protected]