The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted a patient’s ability to treat orthopedic injuries. In many locations, elective orthopedic surgeries are canceled. What is Regenerative Orthopedics? What is the purpose of Regenerative Medicine? What is Regenexx? How successful is Regenerative Orthopedics? Let’s dig in.
What Is Regenerative Orthopedics?
Regenerative Orthopedics is a medical specialty focused on identifying and treating orthopedic conditions without surgery (1). There are many different approaches and areas of emphasis within Regenerative Orthopedics. For example, some focus on extensive physical therapy whereas others focus on the use of oral medications. A new and exciting approach is the injection of platelets and stem cells. This is known as Interventional Orthopedics. Interventional Orthopedics is a subspecialty of Regenerative Orthopedics that treats orthopedic conditions with injections or PRP, stem cells, or both. Regenexx the leader in Interventional Orthopedics.
To learn more about Interventional Orthopedics please click on the video below.
What Is Regenerative Medicine and Its Purpose?
Regenerative Medicine is different and not to be confused with Regenerative Orthopedics. Regenerative Medicine focuses on restoring the structure and function of damaged tissues. Often times this includes anti-aging practices that aim to increase one’s energy level, body weight, libido and sleep through nutrition, supplements, hormone replacement, and exercise. Regenerative Orthopedics focuses exclusively on orthopedic conditions such as low back pain, knee arthritis, hip arthritis, knee meniscus tears, sciatica, and rotator cuff injuries.
Where Is Regenexx?
Regenexx is a world-wide network of highly trained, board-certified physicians that provide the most advanced, research-driven, Interventional Orthopedic care. It utilizes a patient’s own stem cells, and different concentrations of PRP to treat common orthopedic conditions. It emerged from the Centeno-Schultz Clinic which remains its headquarters in Broomfield Colorado. Regenexx has many distinguishing features and milestones which include being the first practice in the world to inject stem cells into the lumbar disc. It was also the first practice in the world to successfully inject and repair damaged ligaments in the upper cervical spine transforming patient’s, and their family’s, lives. Other distinguishing features include:
Publications
Research and publication are essential to advancing the field of Regenerative Orthopedics. To date, Regenexx has published approximately 40% of all the literature in the world on stem cell treatments in Orthopedics. A list of publications is available here.
Fellowship Program
The Regenexx fellowship is a dedicated program for physicians who have completed their residency. It is a one-year deep dive into the treatment and management of injuries using stem cells and PRP. A portion of the time is spent on research and writing articles for publication.
Innovation
Einstein understood the importance of innovation. “We cannot solve a problem by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them” Regenexx pioneered several innovative, nonsurgical techniques. One example is the treatment of ACL tears with stem cell injections.
Registry Data
Unless you track your outcomes how do you know what is working? Every patient treated at Regenexx is entered into an outcome date base. The patients are then followed and prompted periodically on their progress and any side effects after the procedure. As a result, Regenexx keeps records of tens of thousands of procedures. This information is then compiled and made available to patients and physicians alike.
Daily Blog
Dr. Centeno continues to publish highly informative blogs daily on the good, the bad, and ugly of Regenerative Orthopedics and stem cells.
Book Chapters
Dr. Centeno and other physicians have authored many book chapters. Dr. Williams, Pitts, and Markle are currently working on the powerful new atlas for Interventional Orthopedic Injections.
Precise Ultrasound or X-ray Guided Injections
At Regenexx all injections are performed under ultrasound or x-ray guidance to ensure accurate placement of the cells. Blind injection, those without guidance, compromise clinical outcomes. Treatment options include bone marrow stem cells, culture-expanded stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, PRP, Platelet Lysate, and extracellular matrix (ECM). To better understand how Regenexx bone marrow stem treatments are different please click on the video below.
Patient-Oriented, Free Downloadable E-Books
- How to Choose a Stem Cell Clinic
- Orthopedics 2.0
- The Spine Owner’s Manual
- The Knee Owner’s Manual
- Nutrition 2.0
State of the Art, University Level Cell Laboratory
Most regenerative orthopedic practices use a bedside centrifuge for processing both blood and stem cells. Unfortunately, this provides a one size fits all product. The human body is delicate with multiple variations among individuals. Accordingly, Regenexx uses a flexible platform that allows the platelet and bone marrow to be customized for each patient.
Randomized Controlled Trials
Randomized controlled trials measure the effectiveness of a new intervention or treatment. The design, implementation, data collection, and analysis are funded by Regenexx without any state or federal funding. Volunteers are currently being recruited for the ACL and rotator cuff studies.
How Successful Is Regenerative Orthopedics?
Regenerative Orthopedics is a new clinical field that is commanding increasing interest from patients and providers alike. It has been described as the Wild Wild West of Medicine as many doctors are trying different techniques. There is little standardization in treatments. As an example, not all PRP is the same. There are varying concentrations, with different concentrations of red and white blood cells. Some PRP is mixed with local anesthetic whereas others are mixed with steroids. These variables matter. Regenexx has established treatment protocols that are consistent across the worldwide network.
Most regenerative orthopedic practices rely heavily on polished websites and glowing patient testimonials. Few track clinical outcomes. Regenexx is committed to providing the very best care to all patients. Patient outcomes are readily available online and are body specific. For example, you can review the outcomes for rotator cuff injuries or knee arthritis.
3 Amazing Facts About Orthopedic Treatment Options
- Surgery is oftentimes ineffective and harmful to patients. A case in point is meniscectomy, a surgical procedure to treat knee meniscus tears. Studies have demonstrated that this surgery is no better than physical therapy (2). It also has significant long term complications including knee arthritis and recurrent meniscus tears (3) (4).
- Regenerative Orthopedics allows patients to use stem cells to heal many orthopedic injuries. Examples include knee meniscus, ACL, and Rotator cuff tears.
- Regenerative Orthopedics is an effective, non-surgical alternative to knee, shoulder and ankle replacements that allows patients to forgo surgery, its risks, and extensive rehabilitation
In Conclusion
Regenerative Orthopedics is a medical specialty focused on identifying and treating orthopedic conditions without surgery. Interventional Orthopedics is a subspecialty of Regenerative Orthopedics that uses PRP and stem cell injections to treat damaged orthopedic tissue. Regenexx is the world’s leader in Interventional Orthopedics and uses a patient’s own stem cells and PRP to accelerate healing and recovery. Regenexx was the first clinic in the world to inject stem cells into the lumbar disc. It distinguishes itself through extensive publications, fellowship programs, innovation, patient registry, daily blogs, and the use of its state of the art cell laboratory
Ever wonder what treatment options exist for you? Schedule a telemedicine evaluation from the comfort of your home or patio and learn how to regain your passion.
1.Corsi KA, Schwarz EM, Mooney DJ, Huard J. Regenerative medicine in orthopaedic surgery. J Orthop Res. 2007;25(10):1261-8.
2.Katz JN, Brophy RH, Chaisson CE, et al. Surgery versus physical therapy for a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis [published correction appears in N Engl J Med. 2013 Aug 15;369(7):683]. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(18):1675–1684. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1301408
3.Longo UG, Ciuffreda M, Candela V, Rizzello G, D’Andrea V, Mannering N, Berton A, Salvatore G, Denaro V. Knee Osteoarthritis after Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy: Prevalence and Progression of Radiographic Changes after 5 to 12 Years Compared with Contralateral Knee. J Knee Surg. 2019 May;32(5):407-413. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1646926.
4.Katz JN, Shrestha S, Losina E, Jones MH, Marx RG, Mandl LA, Levy BA, MacFarlane LA, Spindler KP, Silva GS; MeTeOR Investigators, Collins JE. Five-year outcome of operative and non-operative management of meniscal tear in persons greater than 45 years old. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019 Aug 20. doi: 10.1002/art.41082.
