Top 5 Lessons from the Regenerative Medicine Conference
The conference teaches physicians about the latest research and techniques in PRP and Stem Cell therapies for Sports Medicine.
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PRP Therapy is THE superior treatment for mild to moderate osteoarthritis
Several studies have been conducted using PRP for mild to moderate Osteoarthritis in the knee and hip. During these studies, PRP Therapy was compared to hyaluronic acid injections, cortisone (a.k.a steroid) injections, and stem cell therapy.
Patients who use PRP Therapy to address pain from mild to moderate osteoarthritis have a better outcome then other therapies.
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PRP Therapy is a superior treatment for tendinopathies
Individuals affected by tendinopathy usually experience pain during exercise in their knee, elbow, or shoulder.
PRP therapy gives a longer lasting result then dry needling for knee, elbow, and shoulder pain from tendinopathy.
Results with PRP Therapy were further enhanced when the PRP was placed precisely in the tendon using Ultrasound Guided Imaging.
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When using PRP or Stem Cell Therapy, it matters if the doctor uses Ultrasound Guided Imaging
A lot of physicians who practice Regenerative Medicine treat their patients with “Blind Injections.” This means that they can’t actually see where they are placing the PRP or Stem Cells. Studies show that individuals who perform “Blind Injections” are 50% accurate in the placement of what they are injecting.
Instead, physicians should use Ultrasound Guided injections as it ensures 99% accuracy when using PRP or Stem Cells.
Why does this matter? Because stem cells only turn into the cells they are close to. So, if your physician is treating a ligament with Stem Cells and they place the Stem Cells by a tendon, the treatment has a significantly lower chance of working. Hence the importance of using ultrasound guided injections.
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Amniotic “Stem Cells” contain high amounts of Growth Factor, not actual Stem Cells
Physicians have started to use products marketed as Amniotic “Stem Cells.”
The first distinction is that these products DO NOT contain actual Stem Cells. Instead, they contain high amounts of Growth Factor and work very similar to PRP Therapy. True Stem Cell Therapy uses cells taken from Bone Marrow or Fat.
There are currently not enough studies to show the how effective Amniotic products are in treating conditions related to sports medicine. Results can also vary depending on the many companies that have started to create these products. That’s not to say the treatment won’t work but you should be sure to ask about all your options.
At the end of the day it is important to be aware that although the cost of Amniotic products is similar to true Stem Cell Therapy, you are not getting an actual Stem Cells.
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Musculoskeletal Ultrasound can detect issues in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons before they become an issue
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound is an imaging technique that is more cost-effective then MRI. It can diagnose many conditions related to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments found throughout the body.
One of the most under-utilized applications of this type of imaging is being able to detect problems with these structures before they “fail”.
Meaning it is possible to predict if an individual will have elbow, knee, or shoulder pain before it even happens. This allows the physician to treat the problem before it occurs which saves the athlete time, money and prevents them from missing their activity.
Summary
- Consider PRP Therapy if you have Osteoarthritis
- Consider PRP Therapy if you have joint pain that is worse with exercise
- If using PRP or Stem Cell Therapy, go to a doctor that uses Ultrasound Guided Imaging for better results
- Amniotic “Stem Cells” are still new, results can vary depending on several different factors
- If you are an athlete who does not want to take time off for an injury, go to someone who does Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
