Stem Cell and Platelet Procedures for Knee Arthritis, Meniscus Tears, Tendon & Ligament Tears, Overuse Injuries, and Other Conditions

Stem cell and platelet rich plasma (PRP) procedures have emerged as an advanced and innovative injection treatment to address knee pain, which could arise due to injury, overuse or degenerative diseases. Patients suffering from chronic knee pain or those who have sustained a knee injury may be suitable candidates for knee stem cell therapy or PRP procedures.

Many patients now seek these cutting edge non-surgical treatments in place of knee surgery, ligament repair or knee joint replacement because of the complications and prolonged recovery and rehab involved in these solutions. Board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute provide stem cell and PRP injections to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and other communities across the landscape.

Stem Cell Treatment

Stem cell treatment for the knee is called a same-day procedure because the stem cell harvesting and re-injections can be performed on the same day. But in most cases, the complete treatment protocol involves a series of injections administered over the course of about one week, depending on the patient’s specific condition of the knee.

The procedure includes a pre-injection, the same-day stem cell extraction, and re-injection. This is followed by a post-injection of multiple customized platelet mixes after a gap of a few days. The first step in the procedure involves drawing a small amount of blood from the patient’s arm, which will be processed in the lab along with their stem cell sample.

Thereafter, a small bone marrow sample will be taken from the back of the hip through a needle. Patients usually find this a comfortable process because the area is thoroughly numbed. These cells are then processed in a lab, and then the surgeon will re-inject the stem cells and natural growth factors from the blood platelets into the targeted area in need of repair.

Advanced imaging guidance will be used to ensure accurate delivery of the re-injections. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas for stem cell injections for knee problems.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Treatments

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet Lysate Injection treatments contain specific components from the patient’s own blood that comprise healing growth factors. These components enhance the body’s natural ability of self-repair. The use of PRP for knee joint, ligament, tendon and muscle injuries and chronic knee conditions is now becoming increasingly accepted.

PRP injection treatments are proving to be highly effective because they have a stimulating effect on the stem cells within the targeted area where PRP is delivered. This triggers the stem cells to work harder to heal the damaged tissue. Automated centrifuge machines are employed to achieve the purest and most concentrated PRP material from the blood.

The treatment process can be customized according to the unique needs of a patient. If the centrifuge process at a particular lab is able to produce a higher concentration of platelet growth factors, it can have a more positive impact on the stem cells responsible for repairing the damaged tissue.

 

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.

Stem Cell Therapy for Shoulder Injuries and Arthritis

If an individual has experienced a shoulder or rotator cuff injury or suffers from chronic shoulder pain due to arthritis, they may consider state of the art stem cell therapy procedures. This unique injectable procedure will allow the patient to avoid surgery and still achieve effective and sustainable outcomes.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute provide stem cell therapy for shoulder and rotator cuff injuries and arthritis to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding communities in the Sagebrush State.

Key Advantages

The non-surgical stem cell therapy procedure can be performed in just one day, and serves as a viable alternative for patients who want to avoid surgery or joint replacement. Following the stem cell treatment, the patient can expect to return quickly to their normal routine and will be able to avoid the extend rehab period that usually follows an invasive shoulder joint surgery.

Another advantage of stem cell injection procedure is that the typical risks associated with a surgery, such as infection and blood clots are almost entirely avoided with this non-surgical treatment.

How does it Work?

Stem cell therapy involves the use of the patient’s own cells to promote healing of the damaged tissues. Using advanced techniques, the surgeon will extract stem cells from the bone marrow, concentrate them in a lab process, and then re-inject the concentrated form into the precise areas of tissue injury or damage with the help of advanced imaging guidance.

With advanced imaging, the surgeon is able to ensure that the stem cells are delivered into the precise area of need. As the stem cells are introduced into the area, they stimulate the natural repair process of the injured or degenerated ligaments, tendons, and arthritic shoulder joint. This helps to reverse the natural breakdown process that has been going on due to injury, overuse or aging.

Stem Cell Procedure

The body has a store of stem cells to support the mechanism of tissue repair following injury or degeneration. The stem cells remain in reserve in the marrow cavity of the bones. The surgeon can harvest these stem cells easily from the back of the hip area. This procedure can be performed in-office, using imaging guidance for precision.

The surgeon will numb the targeted area and then insert a special needle into the bone to draw the stem cell containing marrow blood. This harvesting procedure is typically well tolerated by patients and most patients remain comfortable throughout. Once the marrow blood is drawn, it is sent through a unique centrifugal process to purify and concentrate the stem cells.

This process involves customized designing of the stem cell specimen according to the specific shoulder damage or injury. A preparation of concentrated blood platelets is also collected at this time for injection into the injury site. This releases PRP growth factors that will trigger the stem cells into action.

The platelets are re-injected a few days later to keep the stem cells activate to promote further healing. Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas for stem cell therapy.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.