Regenerative Orthopedics Specialist

Upper Extremity Specialists

Orthopedic Surgeons located in La Jolla, CA & Chula Vista, CA

Reparative/regenerative orthopedics includes innovative treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and lipoaspirate therapy. These approaches can accelerate your healing process and help you get back to your regular activities quickly. Kristopher Downing, MD, & Dr. James Andry, MD provide reparative/regenerative orthopedics at Upper Extremity Specialists of Ortho 1 Medical Group in La Jolla and Chula Vista, California. If you’re curious about reparative/regenerative orthopedics, call Upper Extremity Specialists of Ortho 1 Medical Group or schedule an appointment online today.

Regnerative Orthopedics Q & A

What is regenerative orthopedics?

Reparative/regenerative orthopedics includes the use of state-of-the-art reparative therapies to support and accelerate your body’s healing process. 

The orthopedic surgeons at Upper Extremity Specialists of Ortho 1 Medical Group may suggest reparative/regenerative orthopedics orthopedic therapies to help you recover from injuries and painful conditions, including:

  •       Arthritis
  •       Tendonitis
  •       Bursitis
  •       Muscle strains
  •       Ligament strains
  •       Fractures

Reparative/regenerative orthopedic treatments may also help you recover from surgery.

What are the available regenerative orthopedic procedures?

The team may incorporate platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections or lipoaspirate therapy into your orthopedic treatment plan.

PRP injections

Your platelets hold the growth factors and proteins that your body uses to repair and build cells and tissue. Platelet-rich plasma is a serum made from a sample of your blood that has 5-10 times more platelets than a regular blood sample. When the PRP serum is injected into your injured tissue, it stimulates the repair process and floods your body with the nutrients it needs. 

Lipoaspirate therapy

Lipoaspirate has high concentrations of pericytes, which are uniquely able to recruit cells needed out of your body’s circulation into areas where you need them most. These pericytes act as “molecular signaling cells” (the other type of MSC). Lipoaspirate therapy extracts pericytes from your fat tissue, and these cells are then prepared and injected into your damaged tissue. The treatment provides your body with the cellular materials it needs to repair itself. 

What should I expect during a regenerative orthopedic procedure?

Reparative/regenerative orthopedic treatments have three stages: preparation, injection, and recovery. 

During preparation, your doctor either draws blood for PRP injections or uses a thin, hollow needle to remove cells from your fat tissue. 

Then they either prepare the PRP serum by separating your blood in a centrifuge and combine your platelets and plasma, or they mechanically prepare your fat to obtain high concentrations of pericytes.

When your reparative/regenerative orthopedic treatment is ready, your doctor injects the PRP serum or lipoaspirate into your injured or damaged tissue. Depending on the location of your injection, they may use X-ray or ultrasound guidance to ensure the correct placement of the needle. 

It’s common to experience mild inflammation or swelling after a reparative/regenerative orthopedic treatment. Inflammation is a typical response to the healing process. Your body needs some time for tissue repair/healing, so you typically start to notice results within a few weeks to months. Depending on the extent of your condition, you may need a series of treatments for optimal results. 

If you’re interested in reparative/regenerative orthopedics and want to know if these treatments are right for you, call Upper Extremity Specialists of Ortho 1 Medical Group or make an appointment online today.