Joint Regeneration…Prolotherapy and Beyond

In modern medicine the idea of regenerating joints is a science of the future. The advent of stem cells has a promising outlook; however, current regulations in the U.S. have a limit on the ability to utilize this advancing technology. The answer for joint and muscle pain in our current medical state starts with conservative interventions including anti-inflammatories and pain medicine, bracing and physical therapy. The next level of care offers minimally invasive methods such as corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injection (knee osteoarthritis), radiofrequency denervation, and nerve stimulation devices among others. If the treatments are not effective in significantly reducing pain and improving function, there are typically only two options remaining. One being a surgical procedure and the other goes down the path of chronic pain management typically utilizing prescription medicines.