stem cell therapy

The PRP Injection: Are You A Candidate? (QUIZ)

Don’t miss our “The PRP Injection: Are You A Candidate?" QUIZ at the bottom of the article!

There are several telltale signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Although occasional knee pain and stiffness isn’t uncommon, there comes a day when one realizes that his or her knees are not like they used to be. Don’t ignore what your body is trying to tell you, instead keep an eye out for new sounds your knees might be making, new areas where pain occurs, and how frequently your knees get stiff and sore. Here are 5 signs that you may be a candidate for the PRP injection.

  1. Sore You were used to your knees occasionally aching after a long jog or hike, or perhaps from doing manual labor like gardening or woodworking. However, you’ve started noticing that your knees just hurt all (or at least most of) the time. This could be due to the degeneration in knee cartilage, which means that the movement of your knee joint is mostly bone-on-bone. This can cause sore, painful, and achy knees, which the PRP injection could benefit by regenerating knee cartilage growth.
  2. Stiff Having a little knee stiffness from time-to-time isn’t abnormal, especially after rigorous physical activity. But if you’re starting to feel like your knee is stiff even after laying down for long periods of time, that could be a sign of joint inflammation due to a lack in cartilage. This means that there’s a good chance you may have knee OA. The healing properties of concentrated blood platelets in the PRP injection can help ease this inflammation by repairing any damaged tissues and bone. In fact, a study from 2011 found that “autologous PRP injections showed more and longer efficacy than HA injections in reducing pain and symptoms and recovering articular function.”
  3. Loud If your knee sounds like a small firecracker going off every time you move it, you may have knee OA or meniscal damage. Either case can be accompanied by both pain and stiffness. Look out for crackling and crunching sounds, as this is a sign that cartilage has worn away, and that the knee joint is now bone-on-bone or a sign of damage and tearing of the meniscus. As previously mentioned, the PRP injection can help regenerate cartilage in the knee joint and stimulate meniscus healing, which would further help prevent any noisy bone-to-bone sounds.
  4. Age Although knee OA can affect nearly anyone for a number of reasons, age is a factor to consider. According to the CDC, 49.6% of persons ages 65 or older reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Also, consider that the infection rate for people over the age of 75 is higher than their younger counterparts. Invasive surgery and implants should be taken very seriously, that’s why it’s important to consider a non-invasive approach with significantly less recovery time- the PRP injection. For those who are younger and suffering from knee OA, it’s also important to consider PRP therapy, as surgery can entail a much longer and arduous recovery period than anticipated, especially since a joint has to be replaced every 10 years (on average).
  5. Don’t want surgery No one likes the thought of surgery, and there is certainly no exception for a total or partial knee replacement. Regenerative medicine has recently made (and is continuing to make) great advances in joint regeneration therapy. Both athletes and everyday people alike have been taking advantage of the benefits that the PRP injection has to offer- and now you can too.

***Want to see if your symptoms may qualify you as a candidate for the PRP injection? Take the quiz by clicking here!

Call us today at 1-855-734-3678 or e-mail us at [email protected]

Welcome to the Team, Dr. Lee!

  New England––especially Massachusetts––is well-known for many reasons. Factor number one being that we have world-renowned medical care. Factor number two being that we are wild sports fanatics. In fact, many of us could be qualified as die-hard fans. We love supporting our teams that proudly represent us as a whole, and we all come together to cheer our players on to do their absolute best.

Regeneris Medical happens happens to be a combination of both of these categories. We represent the upper tier of medical professionals as well as innovative and revolutionary procedures. We represent the care and dedication we have for our patients. Last but not least, we represent the future of healthcare.

So what does this say about us?

What is says is that not only are we all team players, but that we care.

Tying this back to athletics- if there’s one thing New England sports fans love, it’s rooting for a new team member who is strongly committed to delivering the best medical care to our patients. We’re excited to announce that we have recruited our newest team player- Dr. Derek Lee!

 

Player Stats

 

A headshot of Dr. Lee in front of a olive grey backdrop.

Dr. Derek Lee is a Sports Medicine doctor with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree from Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency program at USC Family Residency and MacNeal Family Residency, and his fellowship in Sports Medicine at VCOM Auburn. In addition to serving as Team Physician at Auburn University for Division I sports including football, basketball, and gymnastics, Dr. Lee was a covering physician at several esteemed athletic events in 2013 and 2014 such as the Los Angeles Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Women’s Rock Half Marathon, and Monster Dash Half Marathon in 2014.

Dr. Lee specializes in treating patients with a variety of orthopedic and sport injury conditions. His clinical interests include non-traditional, minimally-invasive and advanced cellular treatments.

Don’t wait to get back to the track- book an appointment with Dr. Lee today!

 

Contact Us

You can book an appointment with Dr. Lee by contacting our wonderful staff members at (855) 734-3678, or by using our contact form by clicking here.

 

DISCLAIMER

Regeneris Medical® and affiliates do not claim that stem cell treatments or cellular therapies are a cure for any condition or disease. Adipose-derived stem cell therapies are investigational and are not a part of  FDA-approved stem cell therapies. The information and opinions on this website are for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for advice from a medical professional. If you think you could benefit from stem cell therapies, we suggest patients research relevant information in addition to the information on our site. Be sure to consult a physician before deciding to participate in any investigational therapies.

5 Common Misconceptions About Stem Cells

  With Stem Cell Therapy becoming a growing topic within the medical community, there are bound to be many questions about what the protocols and procedures entail. Stem cell research has historically been a controversial subject, but research has shown that it is possible to harvest and utilize these powerful cells in increasingly more ethical, easier, and successful ways. To put your mind at ease, here are 5 common misconceptions about stem cell therapy that we’ve debunked for you.

 

1. Stem cells are unethical

When some people hear “stem cells”, they instantly think that they are derived from fetuses. We DO NOT use embryonic stem cells- rather, we use adult stem cells. “Adult stem cells can be found in plentiful amounts throughout an adult’s body from sources like muscle tissue, organs (including the heart, lungs, etc.), bone marrow and fat.” [1] At Regeneris Medical, we use the patient’s very own adult adipose (fat) cells by way of a mini-liposuction in which we attain only 50 mL of fat- all under local anesthesia.

You can rest assured knowing that there are no ethical issues with our protocol.

 

2. Stem cell research is illegal

Stem cell research is not illegal. It is in fact becoming a mainstay within medical and research communities because it has shown promising results that are to be further studied. [2]

Researchers “must follow the guidelines from both federal and state legislation. At the federal level, stem cell research is regulated by organizations like the FDA and the National Institutes of Health. In addition to these guidelines, individual states may further regulate the use and research of stem cells.” [3]

 

3. It is possible that your body will reject stem cell therapy

Not with us- because we use the patient’s own stem cells, there is no risk of rejection. Your adipose cells are autologous, which means that your body will take to the treatment without risks of rejection.

 

4. The best source for stem cells is Bone Marrow

One group of stem cells that are sought after during harvesting are called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Although Bone marrow contains MSCs, “this category of cell can be found in adipose (fat) tissue at nearly 2000 times the frequency of bone marrow.” [4]

Discoveries in recent years have suggested that adult stem cells might have the ability to differentiate into cell types from different germ layers. Mesenchymal stem cells or MSCs are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types including: osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage), connective tissues and adipocytes (fat cells). This phenomenon is referred to as stem cell transdifferentiation or plasticity.

Another important differentiation between adipose derived stromal cells and stem cells from marrow lies in the fact that harvested fat cells retain many of the surrounding perivascular cells and tissue which have also been shown to have a huge regenerative and autoimmune effect through cell-cell interactions.  (Alexander, R.W. (2012). Understanding Adipose-derived Stromal Vascular Fraction (AD-SVF) Cell Biology and Use on the Basis of Cellular, Chemical, Structural and Paracrine Components: A Concise Review. Journal of Prolotherapy, 2012, vol. 4, pp.855-869.).  These effects are lost when marrow derived stem cells are obtained.

Our adipose-harvesting protocol is not only much easier on the patient, but has shown to be effective as well.

 

5. Stem cells give you superpowers

Not quite. Stem cell therapy can do wonders for a growing number of ailments- thus helping patients to be able to get back to doing most (if not all) activities they once did before their afflictions.

In that regard, patients may feel like they have super powers!

 

Who benefits from stem cell therapy? Change your life today:

Treatments using stem cell therapy are not exhaustive and growing in number. Take a look at our medical specialties if you think that you may benefit from stem cell therapy…

 

Contact Us

Take control of your life today- call us at (855) 734-3678

 

Sources:

[1] https://okyanos.com/stem-cell-therapy-myths/

 

[2] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/03/busting-4-myths-about-stem-cell-research/

 

[3] https://www.corcell.com/blog/5-stem-cell-myths-debunked/

 

[4] https://okyanos.com/stem-cell-therapy-myths/

 

 

DISCLAIMER

Regeneris Medical® and affiliates do not claim that stem cell treatments or cellular therapies are a cure for any condition or disease. Adipose-derived stem cell therapies are investigational and are not a part of  FDA-approved stem cell therapies. The information and opinions on this website are for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for advice from a medical professional. If you think you could benefit from stem cell therapies, we suggest patients research relevant information in addition to the information on our site. Be sure to consult a physician before deciding to participate in any investigational therapies.

Thank You to The Rotary Club of Attleboro, MA!

“We want to help everyone become a little younger, and a little more active” Regeneris Medical would like to extend our sincerest thanks to The Rotary Club of Attleboro, Massachusetts (est. 1935) for inviting Dr. Welter to come speak at their luncheon. Dr. Welter presented to members about the history of our group, our orthopedic and cosmetic services, the revolutionary technology and procedures we use, and how we believe that offering tomorrow’s healthcare can not only benefit the individual, but also the community.

 

Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee with Us

One service line that many people were very engaged with was our ability to treat osteoarthritis of the knee through our medical protocol. At Regeneris Medical, we utilize the anti-inflammatory and healing effects of Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF, which is rich in mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors) and PRP autologous platelet rich plasma (to optimize the effects of the SVF). The procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, and is all done at the time of SVF harvesting and procurement. The harvesting of SVF and the procedure  take approximately 5 hours.

In terms of the healing period and cost, it is much easier on your body, and costs less than opting for a surgical knee replacement.

For more information on the treatment, click here!

 

Regenerative Anti-Aging and the Regeneris Face Lift

As we age, we lose facial volume. Fortunately, you can restore lost volume and revitalize your facial appearance with a minimally invasive Regeneris Face Lift procedure that combines fat transfer, PRP and stem cells.

In the last 20 years, surgeons have been documenting some long-term benefits found from fat cell transfers, including the ability to maintain volume as well as regenerative evidence.

Stem cells certainly have a role to play in regenerative medicine and cosmetic surgery. However, very few surgeons are experienced using Stem Cell + PRP activated fat grafts. At Regeneris Medical we perform SVF/PRP procedures since 2009 for variety of medical and aesthetic conditions.

The Regeneris facial is performed in our office. Results are natural, free of incisions, and can be expected to last longer than traditional facial rejuvenation options on the market.

Click here to find out more about the Regeneris Face Lift and our aesthetic procedures.

 

Hair Restoration Using Regenerative Therapy

Because hair follicles do contain stem cells, researchers have predicted that we can treat hair loss through an activation of the stem cells progenitor cells. Regeneris Medical has developed a protocol in which we utilize patient's own stem cells to restore hair growth. This therapy is expected to work by activating already existing stem cells on the scalp. For PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy,  the first step is to simply draw blood. We then spin the blood in a centrifuge and extract the platelets. The next step is to then activate the platelets, add some naturally-occurring growth factors, and return it to your body through a series of pinpoint injections on the scalp.

Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) is a method used to extract Adult Stem Cells from your own body. Stem cells are your natural healing cells, and act as the repair system in your body by replenishing inactive cellular material. The procedure entails performing a mini-liposuction (around 50 mL of fat tissue) from the belly under local anesthesia. Mesenchymal stem cells are extracted from the tissue, which are then incubated. The result is injected directly into areas of concern. Once these stem cells are administered, they have the ability to repair and re-activate dormant follicles, forming new cells of mesenchymal origin.

We use a local anesthetic to numb the scalp, and this can be repeated as many times as necessary to keep the patient comfortable.

After the procedure, results can be seen based on the speed at which the patient’s hair grows. You can expect to start seeing a visible difference within 4-6 months. However, improvement continues up to 18 months.

Learn more about our hair restoration services here!

 

Contact Us

Your body has the power to heal itself. Call Regeneris Medical at 1-855-734-3678 to book your consultation today.

 

DISCLAIMER

Regeneris Medical® and affiliates do not claim that stem cell treatments or cellular therapies are a cure for any condition or disease. Adipose-derived stem cell therapies are investigational and are not a part of  FDA-approved stem cell therapies. The information and opinions on this website are for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for advice from a medical professional. If you think you could benefit from stem cell therapies, we suggest patients research relevant information in addition to the information on our site. Be sure to consult a physician before deciding to participate in any investigational therapies.

Female Hair Restoration: Restore Your Hair and Your Confidence

  For women, hair loss isn’t something to be ashamed of, but it does take a number on self-confidence. Hair is so often a symbol of femininity, beauty, and youth. For some women, to lose hair is to personally lose one or more of those aspects of one’s self.

Some culprits of hair loss in women are (but are not limited to):

- Aging

- Pregnancy

- Genetics

- Hypothyroidism

- Lupus

- Iron Deficiency Anemia

- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

- “Over-Styling” [1]

No matter the cause, hair loss can be devastating. Luckily, it can be treated. Unfortunately, the few products) for women on the market contain harsh chemicals, or are not always as effective as we sometimes hope.

At Regeneris Medical, we believe that you have the ability to successfully regrow your hair with our help. We use your own stem cells to help nurture the regrowth of your own hair so that your body truly does the work. [2]

Traditional Options: The Harsh Truth

Although there are a couple of options out there to treat hair loss, they’re not entirely safe, effective, and/or are true to what they claim to do.

Rogaine

One of the most notorious hair-restoration products out there is Minoxidil aka Rogaine. Rogaine is a topical treatment that was the “first FDA approved medication for the treatment of hair loss despite the fact that how it works is still unknown”. [3]

The FDA has only approved of the 2% formulation of Rogaine for use in women. This is because...

Females tend to be more sensitive to the effects of Rogaine on blood pressure. Minoxidil decreases blood pressure and can cause lightheadedness. Using the 5 percent solution, which is approved for use in men, can increase the severity of side effects.

In some women, Rogaine may also cause an increased chance of developing contact dermatitis- an inflamed and irritated rash of the skin. [4]

Lastly, there is no quick-fix with Rogaine- if you decide to use it, you must be in it for the long run. That means that…

- “Only works as long as it's used diligently and routinely” - Hair growth ceases if you stop using Rogaine - You must apply it twice daily - You cannot wash your hair for 4 hours after applying Rogaine - “It cannot be used 24 hours before or after chemical hair processing, such as dying, perming or relaxing the hair.” - You must wait for it to dry, which takes between 2-4 hours [5]

Although effective in many women and certainly common and traditional, Rogaine can be a chemically harsher restoration option in some patients. It’s definitely not ideal for someone looking for a more permanent and safer method.

Laser Comb

The HairMax Laser Comb is “a hand-held laser device” that uses red-light therapy. The product claims to “revive hair follicles” by “increasing circulation and the biological march that makes hair”. Although the Laser Comb is only approved for men, some women have taken to using it. But are there really benefits to this treatment?

David Michaels, the managing director of Lexington International, the company behind the LaserComb, says it works by "transferring light energy to cellular energy" in the follicles. The device can't restore hair to a bald spot, he says, but it can make any remaining hair grow "faster, thicker, heavier and stronger." [6]

Ultimately, the HairMax Laser Comb can enhance your appearance but it needs daily use and becomes another source of daily maintenance.  [7][8]

Regenerate Your Own Hair

At Regeneris Medical, we’ve developed protocols to treat hair loss in a more natural way as an alternative to traditional options. Our safe and effective procedures will aid your body in restoring your own hair and your confidence.

PRP Treatment

The first step is a simple blood draw. We spin the blood in a centrifuge and extract the platelets. We then activate the platelets, add some naturally-occurring growth factors, and return it to your body through a series of pinpoint injections in the affected areas. We use a local anesthetic to numb the scalp and can repeat this as many times as necessary during a procedure to keep the patient comfortable.

PRP and SVF Treatment: WHY STEM CELLS?

Stem cells are tiny progenitor cells found in our body that can divide (through mitosis) and change (differentiate) into various cell types. Your stem cells are your body’s natural healing cells and can act as your repair system in your body by replenishing adult tissues. They are the source of all these cells that have died.

At Regeneris Medical, we use (MSCs) which is found in various adult tissues and derive them from the most accessible source of stem-cell rich tissue: Adipose tissue (aka fat cells).

MSCs are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types including: osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage), connective tissues and adipocytes (fat cells). Hair follicle papilla, which is a large structure at the base of the hair follicle bulb, is made up mainly of connective tissue and a capillary loop. Since it is mainly connective tissue, MSCs could play a role in the repair and regenesis of the hair follicle papilla.

This therapy is expected to work by activating already existing stem cells on the scalp. Most recently, some doctors have claimed that stem-cell therapy led to a significant and visible improvement in follicular hair growth.

The first step is a “Mini-Liposuction” We administer a local anesthetic and extract a small amount of fat from your abdomen (about 50 ccs). While we’re extracting the stem cells from the fat, we draw a small amount of blood. We then spin it in a centrifuge and extract the platelets. After that, we activate the platelets and add some naturally-occurring growth factors. Next, we combine the Stem Cells and the Platelet Rich Plasma and return it to your body through a series of pinpoint injections.

Despite sounding complex, these revolutionary procedures are very easy, and can give you the natural results that you are looking for.

 

 

                      

Contact Us

Don’t wait any longer if you are a women suffering from hair loss- call us today for one of our Regeneris Medical professionals to examine your scalp and conduct a thorough, targeted medical history. Once any underlying causes are identified, we will provide you with a medical recommendation outlining your personal options to fully address the issue and help you meet your goals. Every woman deserves to feel beautiful- including you.

Click here to request more information or call Regeneris Medical at 1-855-734-3678 to book your consultation today.

[1] http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WomensHealth/reasons-losing-hair/story?id=13320129

[2] http://www.regenerismedical.com/aesthetic-specialties/hair-restoration/

[3] http://www.livestrong.com/article/106647-dangers-rogaine-women/

[4] ibid

[5] http://www.livestrong.com/article/103395-cons-rogaine/

[6] http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/12/health/he-nuskeptic12

[7] ibid

[8] http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hair-loss/features/fighting-hair-loss-in-women#2

 

DISCLAIMER

Regeneris Medical® and affiliates do not claim that stem cell treatments or cellular therapies are a cure for any condition or disease. Adipose-derived stem cell therapies are investigational and are not a part of  FDA-approved stem cell therapies. The information and opinions on this website are for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for advice from a medical professional. If you think you could benefit from stem cell therapies, we suggest patients research relevant information in addition to the information on our site. Be sure to consult a physician before deciding to participate in any investigational therapies.