Regenerative and reparative medicine uses biological therapies, sometimes referred to as orthobiologics, that promote the repair and recovery of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue. These techniques can be useful for treating chronic conditions in patients who are not yet ready for surgery. Our staff at AzBJSMC are leaders in regenerative and reparative medicine therapies, having published several research papers and conducted clinical trials in the area. While many providers in the Phoenix area offer regenerative medicine treatments, none have published more research papers on regenerative medicine than the staff at AzBJSMC.
Our philosophy is to be very cautious and conservative with regenerative medicine therapies. Many times they are used inappropriately or for conditions in which they are not indicated. At AzBJSMC, we only use treatments for conditions where there is substantial clinical research that ethically support their use.
Some insurance plans may cover viscosupplementation, but most do not cover regenerative medicine treatments. We do have affordable payment plans are available, and most patients can use their HSA or FSA accounts for regenerative medicine therapies.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation can be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis and some tendon disorders. Viscosupplementation procedures utilize a gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid (HA) which is injected into the joint or in the space around tendons. HA is a naturally occurring substance found in the synovial fluid surrounding joints and tendons. HA acts as a lubricant to enable bones and tendons to move smoothly over each other, and to absorb shock when loading joints. For many patients, viscosupplementation can be a great option to improve mobility and reduce pain. Some insurance companies will cover viscosupplementation for specific conditions. And for other patients, there are affordable cash pay options if your insurance does not cover this treatment.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) uses the platelets found in your blood to promote tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and decrease pain. PRP can be an excellent choice for treating osteoarthritis, muscle injuries, chronic tendon disorders, or certain partial ligament tears such as ligaments in your knee or elbow.
In a PRP procedure, we take a small amount of blood and use a sterile processing system to concentrate your platelets and blood plasma into a suspension. Using ultrasound imaging guidance, we carefully inject your PRP into the treatment area. Platelets contain growth factors and other molecules that can help promote tissue regeneration.
A typical PRP treatment session takes about an hour. Our staff will comfortably collect blood from your arm, similar to a blood draw for a lab test. We then spend 30-40 minutes preparing PRP from your blood using careful sterile techniques. Then, under ultrasound imaging guidance and local anesthetic so that you don't feel any pain, we deliver PRP to the treatment area. You can usually resume normal activities within a few days, and we will also provide you with rehabilitation protocols to maximize the benefits of your PRP. Insurance rarely covers PRP, but this can be an affordable treatment option for many patients.
Microfragmented fat for joint pain and dysfunction
We are proud to Lipogems, which is an award winning and evidence-based treatment for chronic joint pain.
If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, you can give us a call or send us a text at .
