STEM Cell & Regenerative Procedures in Kansas City,
Which regenerative procedure to choose?
Over the last 15 years, seemingly countless stem cell & regenerative procedures have come on the market. Fortunately, in 2018, we have a good deal of research and data on the basic science behind stem cell & regenerative procedures and which ones actually work. These procedures include:
PRP (platelet rich plasma)
BMC (Bone Marrow Concentrate) “stem cell” procedures
PPP (platelet poor plasma)
Adipose “stem cell procedures” (stromal vascular fraction, lipogem, etc)
Prolotherapy
Amniotic tissue
Chorionic tissue
Wharton’s jelly
Placental derived tissue
Regenokine
Orthokine
A2M (alpha-2 macroglobulin)
Other concentrated protein and growth factor procedures (IRAP, etc)
…and the list is still growing!
While it is exciting to have so many regenerative options and new developments, two of these treatments have become standouts in their clinical efficacy: PRP and BMC. These stem cell and regenerative procedures just work better. In a close 3rd place are fat-derived, or “adipose” derived procedures. However, as of November 2017, these are no longer legal in the USA.
What Else?
WE KNOW: The procedures that use someone else’s tissue, such as amnion, chorion or wharton’s jelly have been independently studied hundreds of times showing much less efficacy. While these tissues are full of stem cells at the time of harvest, we have learned that by the time they are processed, frozen, stored, and thawed, the stem cells are either dead or close to it, and have no function left in them. Furthermore, these tissues do still contain growth factors such as ILGF, VEGF, FGF, among others; but the growth factor levels are less than a third the levels of PRP or BMC.
With 20 years of research and development, PRP and BMC have proven to be the most effective in growing tendon, cartilage, ligament, and bone. They also carry a strong anti-inflammatory effect, which acts as a pain reliever. Moreover, the safety profile of these procedures is stunningly positive. Thus, these two procedures are our “go-to” procedures for any tendon tear, tendonitis, tendonopathy, cartilage fissures, degenerative meniscus tears, degenerative labral tears, ligament tears, and 
osteoarthritis.
PRP and BMC have been studied most extensively in tendonitis and arthritis, especially knee arthritis and hip arthritis, with promising outcomes.
Even with all of this information, each joint, tendon, and ligament is unique. Therefore, your stem cell & regenerative procedure physician will guide you through the entire process of proper evaluation, exact diagnosis, treatment and management of rehabilitation for a full return to sports and regular activities.
