Regenerative medicine is a cutting-edge therapy that uses your own body’s growth factors to ease pain, limit inflammation, and encourage healing. At Philadelphia Smart Pain & Wellness, with offices in Northeast Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, pain management specialist Samuel Grodofsky, MD, uses regenerative medicine to treat joint pain. To see if you can benefit, book an appointment online, or call the nearest office today.
request an appointmentWhat is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine uses human growth factors like stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and bone marrow aspirate to support your body’s natural healing process. It’s a minimally invasive treatment that’s pain-free and requires no downtime.
Dr. Grodofsky offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Platelets are microscopic solids found in your blood. They help with clotting but also contain proteins that promote cell growth. By injecting PRP into an injured, inflamed, or diseased joint, it’s possible to ease pain and restore the joint’s full range of motion.
What conditions does regenerative medicine treat?
Dr. Grodofsky typically uses regenerative medicine to treat acute or chronic joint pain. It can also provide relief for:
- Tendon injuries
- Pain after surgery
- Osteoarthritis
- Sports injuries
You could also benefit from regenerative medicine if you sprain a ligament or strain a muscle.
What does regenerative medicine involve?
Dr. Grodofsky conducts regenerative medicine appointments in his state-of-the-art clinics. At the beginning of your consultation, he does a physical exam, reviews your health history, and asks about your symptoms and lifestyle.
After pinpointing the source of your pain, Dr. Grodofsky draws a blood sample. How extensive your treatment needs to be will determine the amount of blood he draws. Dr. Grodofsky then puts your blood into a machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins at a rapid pace, separating your platelets from your blood plasma.
Once the solution is ready, Dr. Grodofsky uses lidocaine or another local anesthetic to numb the injection site. He then carefully injects it into the joint, muscle, or ligament that requires treatment. Once the PRP solution enters your body, it stimulates the growth of healthy new cells and tissue. Over time, this process eases pain and inflammation while encouraging recovery.
To ensure positive results, Dr. Grodofsky uses PRP with physical therapy. When combined, these treatments can accelerate your recovery.
Is regenerative medicine safe?
Regenerative medicine is safe and usually tolerated well. Following your PRP injections, it’s normal to experience some bruising, mild swelling, and/or increased sensitivity. These symptoms should go away on their own within two or three days. Follow Dr. Grodofsky’s recovery instructions carefully, and take it easy for at least a day.
When will I experience results from regenerative medicine?
The results of regenerative medicine affect everyone differently. Some people experience immediate relief, while others see a gradual change in their symptoms. PRP is a cumulative treatment, meaning your results continue to improve over time. As a result, it can take weeks, even months, to get full pain relief. Be patient and go to all of your follow-up appointments.
To explore the benefits of regenerative medicine, request a consultation at Philadelphia Smart Pain & Wellness. Book an appointment online, or call the nearest office today.