Regenerative injection therapy is a procedure done to help regenerate healthy tissue in place of the damaged and injured tissue that causes chronic pain. Regions of the body that can benefit from this type of treatment include:

• Tendons
• Joints
• Cartilage
• Ligaments
• Muscles

A medication is directly injected into the damaged body part, helping to further stimulate the natural healing process. During this process, the damaged tissue is removed and new tissue is regenerated, resulting in painful inflammation. In the long run, function is restored to the affected area.

Generally, anti-inflammatory medications and the use of steroids help fight off inflammation but prevent the natural healing process from taking place. Individuals who are very active, particularly athletes can benefit from this procedure as it specifically targets injuries that occur on a repetitive basis or that do not heal properly.

Various injuries and conditions are treated by regenerative injection therapy include:

• Sports injuries
• ACL injuries
• Injuries to the ligaments
• Osteoarthritis
• Rotator cuff injuries

Various musculoskeletal conditions can be treated with regenerative injection therapy such as injuries to the groin and knee, back pain, pain in the foot and ankle, and osteoarthritis. The treatment period may vary from one patient to another but generally lasts for 2-4 weeks and may require up to 4-6 treatments. Depending on the condition of the patient, injections may be done multiple times to one or more areas during each treatment.

Regenerative injection therapy features two distinct variations, prolotherapy, and platelet-rich plasma. Prolotherapy involves the injection of a dextrose solution being injected into the joint, tissue that is causing the pain, or tendon in a repetitive manner with the aim of stimulating a response from the regenerative tissue. Platelet-rich plasma involves the drawing out of rich platelets using the patient’s own blood to help repair cartilage or tendon that may have been damaged.