Regenerative Medicine in Arm, Elbow & Hand Surgery
Regenerative medicine focuses on harnessing the body’s natural healing mechanisms to improve health and to accelerate healing after injury, illness, or surgery. Two of the most notable advancements in regenerative medicine are the use of stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (“PRP”) injections.
These technologies have been used in orthopedic medicine to help heal injured joints for more than a decade. More recently these natural healing modalities have been employed in aesthetic medicine t o improve the health and appearance of the skin. In fact, the famous “Vampire Facial®” touted by actors and influencers on social media is a form of PRP therapy.
In this article, the specialists at Macomb Hand Surgery in Shelby Township explore the use of regenerative medicine in elbow, arm, and hand surgery, and the remarkable advantages it offers for improving outcomes and naturally accelerating healing are surgical procedures.
Stem Cell Therapy in Arm, Elbow & Hand Surgery
The body’s stem cells possess the remarkable capacity to promote tissue repair through several mechanisms. They can differentiate into specific cell types required for tissue regeneration, secrete growth factors that stimulate healing and modulate the immune response, and promote the formation of new blood vessels to enhance new tissue growth.
Stem cell therapy has shown promise in various hand, elbow, and arm conditions, including tendon and ligament injuries, cartilage defects, fractures, and nerve damage. It can aid in tissue regeneration, enhance healing, and potentially prevent the progression of degenerative conditions.
The procedure typically involves harvesting Mesenchymal stem cells (“MSCs”) from the patient’s own bone marrow or adipose tissue. Once extracted, the stem cells are concentrated and then injected directly into the target area.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Arm, Elbow & Hand Surgery
Platelets, which are a component of human blood, contain numerous growth factors and bioactive proteins that promote tissue repair and regeneration. Recently, the use of PRP has been explored to help speed healing and reduce recovery time after arm, elbow, or hand surgery.
PRP injections have shown efficacy in conditions such as tendonitis, ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and chronic wounds in the hand, elbow, and arm. They can enhance tissue healing, reduce pain, and potentially delay or prevent the need for surgical intervention.
PRP injections begin with the collection of a small blood sample from the patient. The blood is then “spun” to separate the liquid platelet-rich plasma form the solid red and white blood cells. The PRP – derived from the patient’s own blood – is the injected into the injured or affected area using ultrasound guidance or other imaging techniques.
PRP injections deliver a concentrated dose of growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF), among others. These growth factors stimulate new cell growth, promote the formation of new blood vessels, and reduce the body’s inflammatory response. This facilitates tissue repair and regeneration on a cellular level, promoting faster recovery with less pain, inflammation, and downtime.
Advantages of PRP and Stem Cells in Hand Surgery
PRP and stem cell therapy promote the regeneration of damaged tissues, which accelerates the healing process, leading to improved functional outcomes. They also help to modulate the inflammatory response, reducing inflammation -which reduces pain an promotes a more favorable healing environment.
Stem cell and PRP injections are a natural, non-surgical treatment for patients, derived from their own body. This means there is virtually little to no risk, reactions, or complications.
These regenerative injections can be utilized across a range of hand, elbow, and arm conditions, including tendinopathies (e.g., tennis elbow), ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and chronic wounds. This versatility allows for targeted treatment and tailored solutions for various patient needs.
Hand Surgery | Shelby Township
Regenerative medicine, specifically stem cell therapy and PRP injections, offers exciting prospects for treating conditions of the elbow, arm, and hand – and for improving recovery in surgical patients. These innovative treatments harness the body’s inherent healing abilities to promote tissue regeneration, accelerate recovery, and alleviate pain.
Stem cell therapy capitalizes on the regenerative potential of pluripotent or multipotent cells, while PRP injections deliver concentrated growth factors to stimulate healing processes. Both approaches present significant advantages, including reduced surgical invasiveness, enhanced healing, and personalized treatments. As research continues to advance, regenerative medicine holds great promise for transforming the landscape of elbow, arm, and hand surgery, improving patient outcomes, and restoring quality of life.
If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified hand surgeon Doctor Rehman in Shelby Township for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the best, most advanced treatments for your condition.
