Traditional treatments for chronic joint pain or back pain require going “under the knife” before a patient can find relief. However, there are new minimally invasive regenerative therapies that cause the body to heal and repair itself by using its own repair mechanisms through stem cells and platelets. These mechanisms can ‘regenerate’ damaged cartilage, ligaments, and tendons so that the body can heal naturally. 
Medical science has advanced; therefore, many individuals want more education while exploring their treatment options when they are suffering from chronic pain. Here are some frequently asked questions, which may help you decide if regenerative therapy is right for you.
1. Why should I choose regenerative therapy instead of surgery?
Although surgery may be needed for advanced or severe issues, it is rarely necessary. Regenerative procedures are considered low risk compared to traditional surgery, which has the associated risks of anesthesia and blood loss. In addition, there is risk of removing tissue that is typically meant to stabilize and support a joint. The main benefit of regenerative therapy is that patients see a significant decrease in pain and improvement in function, while experiencing a speedy recovery time.
2. What types of problems can be treated with regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine can be effective in treating arthritis, tendinitis, and various painful chronic joint conditions. However, the main application of regenerative treatment is for degenerative disc disease and chronic damage to tendons and ligaments. It can also be treated for disc bulges of the spine.
3. How long will it take to recover after regenerative therapy?
It depends. If you have an acute injury, improvement can be seen over a few weeks’ time. For chronic injuries and pain, it can take several months. Treatment conditions can be reassessed weekly or monthly. The number of treatments to heal and manage your condition depends on severity and duration of the medical condition. In many cases, patients see improvement within a few days after the first injection and can resume regular activities. Patients can discuss the expected recovery time with their physician during the initial consultation.
4. Are there any risks with regenerative therapy?
The risk of surgery is far greater than regenerative therapy treatments because inpatient surgery carries the risk of anesthesia as well as blood clotting, while regenerative treatments are minimally invasive. In addition, because the stem cells or platelets are taken from your own body, the inherent risks of regenerative treatments are lower compared to steroid injections. As with the risk of any injectable treatment there is the risk of bleeding, pain, tissue injury, localized soreness, infection, and of course no response to treatment. Risks are minimized by using standard protocols of sterility and safety. In addition, the risk of tissue injury is reduced by using imaging guidance during all procedures.
5. Is regenerative medical treatment approved by the FDA?
The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate procedures performed by licensed doctors. Because stem cells and platelets are collected from your own body, the FDA does not object to this procedure. In addition, regenerative therapies do not over-manipulate or hold the cells for prolonged periods of time because it is not allowed. The procedures used are consistent with minimal manipulation and same-day guidelines.
Why live with ongoing pain when there are advanced, effective therapies available? Call one of our patient advocates at (888) 712-0318 to see if regenerative therapy is right for you.