Regenerative Medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the regrowth of functional tissue to heal injuries. It may be an alternate solution for hip tendon, cartilage, ligament, and muscle injuries that do not respond well to conservative therapy. The different innovative and advanced regenerative medicine procedures include:
Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cells are unspecialized cells with the unique potential to transform into different cell types. They also replicate for longer periods of time as compared to other cells of the body. Stem cells are generally harvested from bone marrow or fatty tissue of the patient and processed in a laboratory. They are then injected into damaged tissue where they transform into bone cells, cartilage cells, muscle cells, and other types of cells to cause tissue regeneration.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: This therapy utilizes the healing capacity of platelets to speed up repair of longstanding musculoskeletal injuries. Platelet rich plasma is obtained by withdrawing a small quantity of blood from the patient and processing it in centrifuge machine. The PRP is injected into the injury site where it releases growth factors and stimulates the production of collagen necessary for rebuilding ligaments and tendons.
Research studies have demonstrated that regenerative medicine procedures can be used to reduce hip pain and improve function in patients with longstanding hip injuries. Ultrasound-guided PRP injections are generally used to treat superficial tendon injuries and stem cell therapy may be effective in reversing more severe degenerative joint conditions of the hip. In some cases, regenerative medicine may even help, delay or avoid the need for hip replacement.
Many high-profile athletes and sportsmen have utilized regenerative medicine procedures to heal what otherwise could have been career-ending sports injuries and returned to playing at the highest level of their game. If hip pain and stiffness is limiting your activities and you would rather not undergo surgery, consult the specialists at The American Hip Institute to discuss regenerative medicine treatment options.
Dr. Ajay C. Lall is a dual fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and hip arthroscopy. He is an avid clinical researcher with numerous presentations and publications at international academic meetings and within top peer-reviewed journals. The doctors at the American Hip Institute® have been global leaders in Hip Arthroscopy and Robotic Surgery for over a decade. While some would call this excellence, we simply call it the American Hip Institute standard.
