Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative Medicine services offered in Sarasota, FL

Regenerative medicine may relieve pain in the best way possible: By using the body’s natural healing cells to restore damaged tissues. Peter Fernandez, MD, and Amanda Fernandez, DPT, MPH, CSCS, at Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, in Sarasota, Florida, offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections as part of a comprehensive pain-relief plan. To learn about regenerative medicine or to see if you’re a good candidate, call the office or request an appointment online today.

Regenerative Medicine Q & A

What is regenerative medicine?

Regenerative medicine uses the healing cells naturally produced in the human body (platelets and stem cells) as a treatment for injured and diseased tissues. You may benefit from regenerative medicine if you have a severe or slow-healing injury or the injury has a poor blood supply.

What type of regenerative medicine is platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?

PRP contains a concentrated amount of platelets removed from a sample of your blood using the RICHPLAT ORTHO™ PRP system. Platelets normally thrive in your bloodstream, traveling to injured tissues and releasing growth factors.

Growth factors trigger healing activities, such as reducing inflammation, producing new blood vessels, and recruiting stem cells to the area. When your provider injects PRP into the damaged tissues, the boost of platelets may accelerate healing.

What role do stem cells have in regenerative medicine?

Adult stem cells live in your body, where they migrate to injured tissues and produce the new cells needed to repair or replace the damaged tissues. Stem cells can come from several sources, including your body fat and bone marrow.

After your provider injects stem cells, they may support healing by rebuilding tissues. For example, the stem cells could produce new muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, skin, and bone.

What conditions might need regenerative medicine?

Health problems that may improve with regenerative medicine include:

Osteoarthritis
Tendonitis
Herniated discs
Sciatica
Degenerative disc disease
Labral tears (shoulder and hip)
Partial tendon tears
Ligament sprains
Cartilage injuries (meniscus tears)

Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, may also recommend regenerative medicine for carpal tunnel syndrome and plantar fasciitis.

What should I expect during regenerative medicine procedures?

Your Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, provider injects your PRP or stem cells using ultrasound or fluoroscopy (X-rays). They use these real-time imaging techniques to visualize the tissues and carefully guide the needle, ensuring to place the injection at the best location.

Before you leave the office, they give you detailed instructions about caring for the area and whether you need to limit any activities. As a general guideline, it’s best to rest for a few days after a regenerative medicine injection. However, the length of time and activity modifications vary for each person.

If you have questions about regenerative medicine or want to schedule a consultation, call Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, or book one online today.