Do you suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis? You aren’t alone. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that by 2040, 78 million US adults (26% of the population) will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis.
There are many effective treatments, but when physical therapy and medication fail to provide adequate relief, regenerative medicine can deliver game-changing results. At Pacific Rheumatology Medical Center in Orange and Laguna Hills, California, Dr. Behnam Khaleghi provides regenerative medical care for arthritis patients to help restore mobility and minimize pain.
What is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine originally centered around transplant research, but it has expanded to include many therapies that help encourage the body to renew itself at the cellular level. Regenerative therapy techniques include the use of platelet-rich plasma injections, stem cell therapies, and more.
For arthritis patients, regenerative medicine can help reduce pain and inflammation. It promotes healing of damaged tissues.
Traditional arthritis treatments
For most arthritis patients, treatment begins with pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. From there, your doctor may introduce more advanced oral medications that modify the immune system — known as biologics. Some doctors also recommend steroid injections to reduce swelling and pain.
The problem with most of these treatments is that they work less and less well over time. This means your pain can increase.
Regenerative therapies for arthritis
Several regenerative medical treatments have shown great results for treating arthritis. Dr. Khaleghi can recommend the treatment best suited for your unique case.
Platelet-rich plasma
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is the result of blood that has been centrifuged to separate and concentrate the platelets that help form clots. Platelets contain a large number of growth factors — and the PRP solution can have up to 10 times more than your normal blood.
Dr. Khaleghi injects PRP into the site of pain and inflammation to promote healing. This is a minimally invasive treatment that has been shown to be effective to reduce joint swelling and pain.
Stem cell therapy
Stem cells have the capability to develop into specialized cells throughout your body, including bone, muscle tissue, or cartilage. When used in conjunction with exosomes (often called “messenger molecules” due to the role they play in cellular communication), stem cells can stimulate healing. Research indicates that eventually they can be used to trigger regrowth of joint cartilage.
If you’re suffering from arthritis and you’ve found little or no relief for your pain, it’s time to try a new approach. Contact our offices to schedule a regenerative medicine consultation with Dr. Khaleghi; you can also book your appointment online.