Orthobiologics

What is regenerative medicine?

Regenerative medicine is a scientific field of tissue engineering and molecular biology which deals with replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function. In orthopedics, it involves mainly the use of stem cells and PRP.

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy is a treatment that uses your body’s own healing power to address damage to your soft tissues and cartilage that results from injuries or a degenerative disease like arthritis.

Dr. Matsuda uses stem cells from your own body that have the unique ability to transform or differentiate into other types of cells, such as muscle, tendons, bone,  and cartilage. This procedure can be done by using your own mesenchymal stem cells (autologous stem cells from your bone marrow or fat). The use of allograft stem cells from prenatal tissues like amniontic fluid is currently not permitted in the USA for use until further research clarifies its saftey and utility. Unlike some other providers, Dr. Matsuda will not knowingly use regenrative medicine techniques and orthobiologics unless shown to be safe for his patients.

By injecting stem cells along with growth factors into the injured area, the treatment goal is to amplify the body’s natural healing capacity to relieve pain and restore function. In addition to stem cell therapy, Dr. Matsuda offers other types of orthobiologic therapies to treat damaged cartilage, torn ligaments and tendons, and muscle injuries such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

Orthobiologics are natural substances, including stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), that help injuries heal faster and more efficiently.

How does PRP therapy work?

Platelet-rich plasma therapy also helps you heal faster from soft-tissue injuries or damage. Platelet cells are found naturally in your blood, aid blood clotting when, for example, you sustain a cut, and have important growth factors that stimulate your body’s natural healing ability through the multiplication of reparative cells while also reducing painful inflammation.

Dr. Matsuda takes a sample of your blood, processing it in a centrifuge that quickly spins the blood to separate PRP from other parts of your blood. This high concentration of PRP is what he injects into the injured or diseased tissue. A series of a few injections over a span of a few weeks may be recommended.

How long does it take to see results of stem cell and PRP therapy?

Both stem cell and PRP therapy take time to work. Following your injections, you can expect to gradually see improvement in your pain level and functional activities.

It may take at least 3-6 weeks to see positive results from your treatment. Over the course of several months as new cells form and tissue healing progresses, your you may enjoy a noticeable reduction of chronic pain and improved function.

To determine if stem cell or PRP therapy is right for you, Dr. Matsuda reviews your medical history and assesses the severity of your specific condition. He may recommend regenerative medicine if other therapies don’t effectively address your pain. Regenerative medicine may help you delay or avoid potential surgery.

Regenerative therapies are safe with few known risks to your health. Typically, the only side effects are slight irritation or pain at the injection site which resolves in a few days. Usually, a day of rest and intermittent cold application is all that is needed.

Find out if regenrative orthobiologic therapy is right for you by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Matsuda online or by calling the office today.