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Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine

Advanced treatments that harness the body's natural healing processes to repair damaged joints, tendons, and soft tissues.

What Is Regenerative Orthopedic Medicine?

Regenerative orthopedic medicine is a field focused on using the body's own biological mechanisms to repair, replace, or regenerate damaged musculoskeletal tissues. Rather than masking pain symptoms, these treatments aim to address the underlying cause of pain by promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation at the cellular level.

The global regenerative medicine market was valued at approximately $17.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow significantly as clinical evidence expands. Orthopedic applications — particularly for osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and cartilage repair — represent one of the fastest-growing segments of this field.

This approach is particularly relevant for patients with joint degeneration, tendon injuries, ligament damage, and cartilage loss who want to explore options beyond traditional pain management or surgical intervention.

Common Regenerative Treatments

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP therapy uses a concentrated preparation of a patient's own blood platelets to accelerate healing. The process involves drawing a small blood sample, concentrating the platelets using a centrifuge, and injecting the resulting plasma into the injured area. PRP contains 3 to 5 times the normal concentration of growth factors found in whole blood.

A 2021 meta-analysis published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that PRP injections provided statistically significant improvements in pain and function scores for knee osteoarthritis patients at 12-month follow-up compared to hyaluronic acid and placebo controls.

PRP is commonly used for:

  • Knee osteoarthritis and joint degeneration
  • Rotator cuff tears and tendinopathy
  • Tennis and golfer's elbow (epicondylitis)
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Achilles tendon injuries
  • Hip and shoulder bursitis

Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Concentrate Therapy

These treatments use mesenchymal stem cells — often harvested from bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue — to promote tissue regeneration. The concentrated cells are injected into the damaged area where they can differentiate into cartilage, bone, or connective tissue cells.

Conditions that may benefit include:

  • Moderate osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or shoulder
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Avascular necrosis (early stages)
  • Non-healing fractures
  • Meniscus tears

Prolotherapy (Proliferative Therapy)

Prolotherapy involves injecting a dextrose (sugar-based) or other irritant solution into damaged ligaments or tendons. This triggers a controlled inflammatory response that stimulates the body's natural healing cascade, strengthening weakened connective tissues. Prolotherapy has been used clinically for over 80 years, with growing research supporting its effectiveness for chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Prolotherapy is often used for:

  • Chronic ligament laxity and joint instability
  • Low back pain from ligament weakness
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
  • Chronic ankle sprains
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Hyaluronic Acid Injections (Viscosupplementation)

While not strictly regenerative, hyaluronic acid injections supplement the natural joint fluid that breaks down with arthritis. This can improve joint lubrication, reduce pain, and may support cartilage health over time.

Who Is a Candidate?

Regenerative orthopedic treatments may be appropriate for patients who:

  • Have mild to moderate joint degeneration or soft tissue injuries
  • Have not responded adequately to physical therapy, medications, or corticosteroid injections
  • Want to explore alternatives to joint replacement surgery or other invasive procedures
  • Are active individuals or athletes looking to accelerate recovery
  • Have chronic tendon or ligament injuries that have not healed with conservative treatment

Your provider will evaluate your condition, imaging results, and medical history to determine whether regenerative treatment is a good fit. Not all patients or conditions respond equally to these therapies.

What to Expect

Most regenerative procedures are performed in an outpatient setting and take 30 to 60 minutes. According to a 2023 review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, ultrasound-guided injections improve accuracy rates to over 95% compared to landmark-guided techniques. Recovery is generally straightforward:

  • Mild soreness at the injection site for a few days is common
  • Activity modifications may be recommended for 1 to 2 weeks
  • Full benefits typically develop over several weeks to months as tissue repair progresses
  • Multiple sessions may be needed depending on the condition and treatment type

Important Considerations

  • Insurance coverage varies. Many regenerative treatments are not covered by standard health insurance plans. Check with your provider about costs and payment options.
  • Evidence base is growing but varies by treatment and condition. PRP has the most clinical research support, particularly for knee osteoarthritis and tendon injuries.
  • Provider experience matters. Look for clinicians who specialize in regenerative medicine and use image-guided injection techniques.
  • Results are not guaranteed. Response to treatment depends on the severity of damage, patient health, and the specific condition being treated.

Questions to Ask Your Provider

  1. Am I a good candidate for regenerative treatment based on my condition?
  2. Which regenerative approach (PRP, stem cell, prolotherapy) do you recommend and why?
  3. How many treatments will I likely need?
  4. What clinical evidence supports this treatment for my condition?
  5. What is the expected timeline for results?
  6. What are the risks or potential complications?
  7. How much does treatment cost, and is any portion covered by insurance?
  8. What is your experience performing this specific procedure?

Find a Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Ready to explore regenerative orthopedic treatments? Use our clinic directory to find pain management clinics offering regenerative medicine near you. You can also browse all treatment options or read our pain management guide for a broader overview of available therapies.