Do you have nagging pain from tennis elbow, knee osteoarthritis or another joint or tendon injury that’s slowing you down? If so, regenerative medicine or orthobiologic therapies may offer the alternatives to surgery you’re looking for.
Regenerative medicine is a growing field that uses your body’s natural healing abilities to repair damaged tissue. Orthobiologic therapies are a specific type of regenerative medicine treatment focused on orthopedic (joint and muscle) conditions. These treatments aim to stimulate the healing process, reduce pain and restore function - offering alternatives to surgery.
Common types of orthobiologics include:
These innovative approaches can be effective for sports injuries, arthritis and tendon conditions.
Orthobiologic therapies use substances naturally found in the body - like growth factors and specialized cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue - to help heal damaged tissue. Treatments like PRP injections and bone marrow aspirate concentrate BMAC can stimulate healing and promote faster recovery .These therapies are often minimally invasive, providing a way to avoid or delay more extensive surgical procedures.
Elizabeth M. Batterton, MD, recently shared how orthobiologic treatments like BMAC and PRP helped a patient overcome years of chronic shoulder pain without surgery. The patient is now back to an active lifestyle, enjoying the gym five days a week. Watch the full story from Fox 10 here.
In orthopedics, stem cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue act as messengers, signaling the body to repair damaged tissue. They don’t directly create new tissue but release important growth factors to guide healing.
While stem cell-based therapies show promise, outcomes can vary. Some people may still need lifestyle changes or surgery later. Ongoing clinical trials are helping to expand what we know about these treatments.
If joint or tendon pain is keeping you from your favorite activities, it may be time to explore regenerative therapies. Our orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine experts at Banner Health are here to help with:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is made from your own blood and is packed with growth factors that promote healing. Here’s how PRP works:
PRP is a minimally invasive option that works well for conditions like tennis elbow and knee osteoarthritis. It’s commonly paired with physical therapy to support the healing process. While PRP isn’t covered by insurance, it’s available at many of our Banner Sports Medicine and orthopedic clinics. Contact us to find a location near you.
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) therapy collects cells from your own bone marrow to treat injuries. These cells release growth factors that support tissue repair and reduce inflammation.
BMAC therapy is used for:
The procedure is minimally invasive and often provides relief in about six weeks, with peak results around three months.
BMAC is one of the advanced regenerative therapies offered at Banner Health. While BMAC is not currently covered by insurance, it can provide lasting relief.
Tenex is a minimally invasive procedure that removes damaged tissue from tendons without surgery. Using ultrasound guidance, the Tenex device targets unhealthy tissue, allowing for a faster recovery.
TenJet is another minimally invasive option that uses high-pressure fluid jets to remove damaged tissue.
Tenex and TenJet are ideal for treating:
These procedures offer a quicker recovery compared to traditional surgery and are an excellent alternative to surgery for many patients.
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