Whether it’s from osteoarthritis, a fall, or a traumatic accident, joint pain is troubling you. Perhaps you’ve tried all of the conventional therapies, including physical therapy and even acupuncture, but they haven’t helped enough. Your quality of life is diminished.
You want to regain mobility, whether it’s in your knee, hip, elbow, or another joint. You miss the fun activities you haven’t been able to do in awhile, whether it’s dancing, social tennis, gardening, or something else.
Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Shults, with Coastal Empire Orthopedics in Savannah, Georgia, offers the most advanced orthopedic treatments for joint pain available. In the past few years, orthopedic practice has undergone a revolution. Regenerative medicine now helps many patients delay or avoid orthopedic surgery. Our practice offers patients platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and/or stem cell treatments when we believe their condition could be improved and other treatments haven’t worked. Dr. Shults lets you know which treatment is the most optimal one for you.
More long-term clinical trials are needed for both PRP and stem cell treatment. We have more evidence to date of the efficacy of PRP than we do for stem cell therapy for joint issues. Stem cell therapy is still in a more experimental stage.
If your joint pain doesn’t resolve with other conservative treatments, you may be a good candidate for PRP. We determine whether you’re a candidate for this treatment based in part on your general health and the severity of your musculoskeletal condition.
We use PRP to treat mild to moderate musculoskeletal injuries. It’s not appropriate for a complete rotator cuff tear or bone-on-bone arthritis, for example.
In addition, you should be in good general health, because PRP uses your own blood to help heal your injury. You’re generally not a candidate if you suffer from a blood disorder, cancer, or an autoimmune disease.
The following are examples of injuries and conditions we treat with PRP when conservative methods haven’t worked:
PRP efficacy is affected by aging, but we adjust the protocol to ensure optimal effectiveness.
Many patients now receive PRP treatments for the type of orthopedic conditions and injuries described above. It’s becoming a standard of care in orthopedic practice, though much research remains to be done on dosages and other elements of treatment protocol.
Since PRP uses your own blood, it’s a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that’s prepared and performed in the office. No stitches or incisions are required. It’s also low-cost when compared with stem cell treatment.
Stem cell treatment involves considerable advance preparation, is a more invasive procedure, and is generally not covered by insurance. Your surgeon removes stem cells from your bone marrow. These cells are then injected into the damaged joint. Unlike PRP treatment of mild to moderate injuries, stem cell treatment may be considered in cases of more severe soft tissue damage.
Stem cells offer great long-term potential for healing. These cells can differentiate into the specific types of cells your injury requires. Scientists say that stem cells hold great promise in replacing permanently damaged and diseased soft tissue. Sometimes stem cells are used in conjunction with PRP — for example, in arthritic joints or herniated discs.
Because stem cell therapy is more invasive, it’s not for everyone. It carries more risks than PRP therapy. More large-scale studies are needed on the protocols and effectiveness of stem cell therapy for various types of joint conditions and injuries.
Amniotic injections are an option for more severe joint damage if you aren’t eligible for steroid injections. They are not stem cells, but are an orthobiologic tool containing growth factors and elements that reduce inflammation.
If you’re looking for relief from chronic joint pain, call Coastal Empire Orthopedics or book an appointment online today. We have many options to help you heal, including PRP and stem cell therapies.
