Understanding Regenerative Medicine for Pain Relief

Introduction

Whether you have pain in your back or joints, surgery may not be the answer. Instead of facing the risks associated with cutting out tissue, consider healing and rejuvenating the area with treatments such as stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or prolotherapy. These treatments, once only available to professional athletes, are now accessible to everyone. For more information, you can watch videos at stemcellinstitute.com or call the Stem Cell Institute in West Los Angeles at 800-300-9300.

Welcome to Living Pain Free

Welcome back to the second half of our segment. You’re listening to Living Pain Free with Dr. Thomas Grove, a board-certified physician and sports medicine fellowship-trained specialist. One of Dr. Grove’s preferred approaches to addressing pain and injury is regenerative medicine, including stem cells and PRP. Today’s focus is on tendon injuries, and listeners are encouraged to call in with questions at 866-870-5752. Callers can receive a free copy of the book, “Stem Cell and Platelet Therapy: Regenerate, Don’t Operate,” and may request a free phone consultation with staff at 800-300-9300. Additional resources and educational videos are available at www.stemcellinstitute.com.

Patient Testimonial: Irma’s Experience

Irma, a patient from Huntington Beach, shared her positive experience with stem cell and PRP treatments. After suffering from a torn meniscus and ongoing knee problems even after surgery, Irma tried regenerative therapies following recommendations from the show. She reports significant improvement, allowing her to go on hikes and travel, and now returns for maintenance. Irma also found relief from sciatica, which had troubled her during her years in law enforcement. She expresses gratitude for these treatments, noting how they improved her quality of life and encouraged others to try them.

Regenerative Medicine: Principles and Approach

Dr. Grove emphasizes the goal of helping people become active again and highlights the satisfaction that comes from seeing patients return to their favorite activities. Regenerative medicine involves using the body’s own healing cells through targeted injections under image guidance. This approach allows for precise delivery of healing factors to promote recovery.

How Regenerative Treatments Work

Regenerative therapies like PRP are straightforward. Blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets, which contain growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF promotes the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), supporting the healing process. These treatments are especially valuable for tendons, joints, and ligaments, which have limited blood supply and often heal slowly on their own.

The Role of Nutrition in Healing

Collagen is a key protein in tendon structure, and a balanced diet supports natural collagen production and recovery. Animal sources like bone broth, fish skin, and organ meats, as well as plant-based nutrients such as vitamin C from fruits and leafy greens, and amino acids from legumes and nuts, are beneficial. Good nutrition is especially important after stem cell or PRP procedures to optimize healing outcomes.

Common Tendon Injuries

Several tendon injuries frequently present in the clinic:

  • Shoulder: Rotator cuff tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, teres minor) are common sites of injury, particularly tears of the supraspinatus and subscapularis. The biceps tendon is also a frequent source of shoulder pain.
  • Elbow: Tennis elbow (lateral epicondyle, extensor muscles) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondyle, flexor muscles) are commonly treated conditions.
  • Hip/Pelvis: The gluteus medius tendon is a major stabilizer of the pelvis and thigh. Injuries here often cause pain around the hip or are mistaken for low back or sciatica pain. Such tendon issues may not appear on MRI unless there is a significant tear, so hands-on physical exams are crucial.
  • Knee: Quadriceps and patellar tendon injuries are common, especially in active individuals. Patellar tendon inflammation is known as jumper’s knee.
  • Ankle: Peroneal tendons (brevis and longus) on the outside of the ankle and tendons on the inside (tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexor hallucis longus) are often affected by sprains or unusual movements. These tendons, due to poor blood supply and high mechanical demand, are prone to slow healing and benefit from targeted injections.
  • Achilles Tendon: The largest, thickest tendon in the body, even minor inflammation here can be very debilitating but responds well to regenerative treatments.

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

Proper diagnosis involves a thorough physical examination and sometimes musculoskeletal ultrasound to localize the source of pain. Imaging reports, such as MRI or X-ray, can show abnormalities that may not correlate with the actual pain source. Therefore, clinical correlation is essential to avoid unnecessary surgeries. Conservative, non-surgical treatments are encouraged when suitable.

For more information, free consultations, or a copy of Dr. Darrow’s book, call 800-300-9300 or visit www.stemcellinstitute.com. Living Pain Free with Dr. Marc Darrow and Dr. Thomas Grove airs Saturdays at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. on AM870. Take the first step toward a pain-free life by scheduling an appointment. Live long and pain-free, and thank you for joining us today.

Radio show 1-24-26 Part 1 Understanding Tendon Pain and Regenerative Medicine