Regenerative Injection Therapy

Regenerative Injection Therapy is a minimally invasive therapeutic modality that is used for treating a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Some people in Los Angeles wish to utilize this technology in hopes of avoiding more invasive surgical procedures while others desire the benefit of combining this therapy with certain types of surgery for enhanced results. Whichever RIT method is employed, the intent is to stimulate and enhance the body’s own restorative biologic healing capacity in managing musculoskeletal conditions.

To learn more about regenerative medicine treatment and how it can help you manage a painful musculoskeletal condition, please do not wait to contact Meier Orthopedic Sports and Regenerative Medicine in Los Angeles today at (310) 777-7845 or contact us online to schedule your consultation.

Hyaluronic Acid/Viscosupplentation

Hyaluronic Acid/Viscosupplentation has been shown to have beneficial effects on joints with mild to severe osteoarthritis. The mechanisms of action include:

• Anti-inflammation
• Providing nutrients to cartilage cells
• Providing lubrication to cartilage surfaces
• Providing a cushioning effect to joint surfaces

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP is used to promote the healing of various musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Whole blood is drawn and then processed by centrifugation to concentrate the platelets for their growth factors.

•     platelet-derived growth factor
•     transforming growth factor beta
•     fibroblast growth factor
•     insulin-like growth factor 1
•     insulin-like growth factor 2
•     vascular endothelial growth factor
•     epidermal growth factor
•     Interleukin 8
•     keratinocyte growth factor
•     connective tissue growth factor

This concentrated growth factor solution can be injected into diseased and damaged tissue to stimulate healing.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cells are mesenchymal or progenitor cells that have the ability to differentiate into many different tissue types. They are full of growth factors that are important for tissue development.

The basic goal of musculoskeletal stem cell therapy is to reduce inflammation, down regulate scar tissue formation and promote soft tissue regeneration.

Stem Cell Therapy – Bone Marrow-Derived

Stem cells are obtained from a patient’s own tissue. Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) is obtained from aspirating a sample of a patient’s own bone marrow. BMAC contains all the components of PRP plus stem cells.

Process – bone marrow aspirate

• Iliac crest (pelvis), proximal tibia (shin bone just below the knee) or proximal femur (hip bone).
• Centrifugation produces – buffy coat, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) & platelet-poor plasma (PPP).

Stem Cell Therapy – Adipose Tissue Derived

Stem cells are obtained from a patient’s own fat cells via a mini-liposuction procedure.

Stem Cell Therapy – Amniotic Tissue Derived

Stem cells are obtained from a tissue donor via amniotic tissue. We recommend the use of allogenic tissues, because they are less beneficial and have more risks than other available treatments.

Prolotherapy (Proliferation Therapy)

Dextrose Prolotherapy

This is the original or “traditional” prolotherapy. Dextrose-saline solution is injected into injured or degenerated anatomic structures to stimulate a healing response. The injections serve as a local irritant to trigger osmotic attraction of the body’s healing cells such as neutrophils, macrophages and stem cells. The purpose is to stimulate the body to retension lax ligaments by producing new collagen in order to stabilize painful and unstable joints.

PRP Prolotherapy

Traditional prolotherapy can be “supercharged” by incorporating PRP to provide exogenous growth factors.

Stem Cell Prolotherapy

Traditional prolotherapy can be further “supercharged” by incorporating stem cells as well as exogenous growth factors.
RIT Can Be Used for the Non-Surgical Treatment of Many Musculoskeletal Conditions:

Chronic Musculoligamentous Strain

• Chronic Neck Pain
• Chronic Back Pain

Osteoarthritis – The degenerative breakdown of joint cartilage that can affect any joint in the extremities and spine.

Ligament Insufficiency – The fundamental application for prolotherapy is to tighten ligaments that have loosened and become lax, allowing joints to be painfully unstable. The goal of prolotherapy is to reduce pain by tightening the ligaments thereby restoring joint stability.

• Whiplash injuries of the spine
• Degenerative disc disease of the spine
• Spondylolisthesis
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
• Basilar joint instability of the thumb

Tendinopathies – Chronic degenerative and painful tendon conditions such as:

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
• Patellar tendinosis (jumper’s knee)
• Achilles tendinosis

Bursitis – Acute or chronic inflammation of the cushioning structures over bony prominences and areas of tendon friction such as:

• Shoulder bursitis
• Trochanteric bursitis of the hip
• Pre-patellar bursitis of the knee

Fasciitis – Chronic inflammation of connective tissue.

• Plantar fasciitis (common cause of heel pain)

RIT Can Be Combined with Surgical Procedures for Enhanced Results

When PRP and stem cells are administered along with a surgical procedure, one will observe a lower rate of infection, less inflammation, faster healing and earlier return to homeostasis (normal status of the joint).

Surgical repairs (i.e. rotator cuff repair) – Due to notoriously poor tissue condition, rotator cuff repairs on known to heal slowly and often incompletely. RIT using stem cells can speed up and enhance the healing process.

Reconstructive surgery (i.e. anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction) – ACL surgery normally involves a long recovery process. RIT using PRP or stem cells can decrease postoperative swelling and pain, accelerate healing and allow earlier incorporation of the graft.

Arthroscopic surgery (i.e. meniscus surgery) on joints with concomitant cartilage degeneration.

The arthroscopic surgery in Los Angeles effectively addresses the meniscus injury but not the degenerative cartilage disease. This can result in partial but incomplete relief of pain. Since RIT addresses the arthritis, RIT coupled with the arthroscopic procedure can provide a more comprehensive and effective treatment strategy.

Contact MOSM for Regenerative Injection Therapy Today

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, regenerative injection therapy can help significantly relieve pain and improve mobility. To learn more, contact Dr. Meier in Los Angeles at (310) 777-7845 or contact MOSM online to schedule an appointment for the care you need.

Next, learn about how traditional surgery and regenerative medicine complement each other.