Regenerative Medicine

Rockville Internal Medicine Group (RIMG) also offers Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, a non-surgical treatment for joint injuries and arthritis that stimulates the body’s natural healing forces.

What is PRP?

PRP is a substance made from your own blood to trigger healing. PRP is a relatively simple, non-surgical treatment for joint injuries and arthritis. It merges cutting-edge technology with the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Platelets contain packets of growth hormones and cytokines that tell the tissues to increase rebuilding of tissues to enhance healing.

Because the blood is your own, there is no risk of rejection or acquiring blood borne diseases such as HIV or hepatitis.

What Are The Potential Benefits?

Patients can see a significant improvement in symptoms as well as a remarkable return of function. This may eliminate the need for more aggressive treatments such as long-term medication or surgery.

What can I expect during my treatment?

The doctor will examine the joint which will receive the treatment, clean the area with an antiseptic soap, and apply numbing medicine. Using ultrasonic guidance, the PRP will be gently injected into the joint space and joint support tissues. After your treatment. you will stay for a short 15 to 20 minute observation period and we will review discharge instructions. The process may be repeated 1 to 2 times over six to sixteen weeks.

What can I expect after the PRP treatment?

You may have mild to moderate discomfort which may last up to 1 week. There may be temporary worsening of symptoms due to a stimulation of the inflammatory response, which is necessary for healing. Your doctor will instruct you in the use of ice, elevation, reduced activity, and analgesic medications for comfort while the PRP is initiating healing. Also physical therapy or a therapeutic exercise program will be prescribed.

What should I do when I get home following the procedure?

Because PRP releases growth factors, it is important to not disturb the area of injection for at least 48 hours. We ask that you refrain from activities other than necessary walking or driving in order to receive the maximum benefit of the PRP growth factor stimulation. It is helpful if you can be sedentary for 48 hours, and refrain from any vigorous activity for up to 2 weeks following each procedure.

What Medications Can I Take?

Please do not take any anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, Motrin or high dose Aspirin. You may take Tylenol or homeopathic pain relieving medication if necessary, or you may be prescribed an appropriate analgesic. If you are on an 81-mg. daily dose of aspirin for cardiovascular reasons, please do not take it within the first 48 hours.

Your doctor will discuss your other medications and instructions prior to the procedure, and will review instructions again after the procedure is completed.

Stem Cells for Joints?

Millions of people develop osteoarthritis as they age. This process results in joint pain, swelling, instability, and loss of function. Current non-surgical treatments for osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints including weight reduction, rest, therapeutic exercise programs taught by physical therapists, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve). or analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). As the degenerative process advances, patients may be offered steroid (cortisone) joint injections, or Visco-supplement injections such as Synvisc, Hyalgan, or Orthovisc. Bracing and assistive devices such as cane and walker can be helpful.

Though these approaches may help in the relief of symptoms, they are palliative and do not correct the underlying problem of cartilage degeneration. Healthy cartilage is the ball bearing surface of bone that allows a smooth, gliding, friction free joint. When the effects of the degenerative process cause unremitting pain, inflammation, and dysfunction-the patient is referred to an orthopedic surgeon for consideration of joint replacement with man-made materials. There is no doubt that the advent of joint replacement surgery has been one of the great advances of medicine in our lifetime.

However, many patients are not candidates for joint replacement surgery due to medical conditions such as cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. Some younger patients may wish to postpone surgery-as artificial hips and knees can wear out in about 15 years requiring a second joint replacement over time.

Fortunately, there is a growing body of scientific evidence indicating that autologous (from one’s own body) mesenchymal stem cells (a primordial regenerative tissue found in everyone) have therapeutic value for the treatment of painful osteoarthritis. Stem cells act as the body’s repair kit because they have the ability to become many different types of cells. A recent news article describes the use of stem cells in correcting Type 1 diabetes. Another article describes improved eyesight following stem cell placement in the retina of patients with macular degeneration.

The Rheumatology Department at RIMG has been a leader in the medical community utilizing platelet rich plasma in the treatment of arthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder-as well as for chronic tendinitis of the shoulder and Achilles tendon. However, this approach has been found to be less effective with advancing age and diminished cartilage reserve in the affected joint.

Addressing this issue is impressive medical literature describing relatively painless office-based techniques which combine stem cells harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow or abdominal fat-with platelet rich plasma-to attempt a more robust regenerative cartilage repair response than can be obtained from platelet rich plasma alone.

It is known that there are 500 times more stem cells in superficial abdominal fat than bone marrow-per unit of volume. These fat derived stem cells are more resistant to aging and more anti-inflammatory than bone marrow stem cells. Fat is more comfortably removed than bone marrow. Therefore, the Regenerative Medicine Center at RIMG is using fat derived from a modified liposuction technique in the office to obtain stem cells for use in the treatment of arthritis. Fat derived from the patient is safe and avoids ethical issues associated with embryonic stem cells.

The protocol being utilized at RIMG is that used by Bio-heart, a biotech firm nationally known for regenerative medicine technology. The protocol consists of two therapeutic sessions: at the first session adipose derived stem cells and platelet rich plasma will be injected into the joint. Approximately 30 to 40 days later, a “booster” injection of platelet rich plasma will be in injected into the joint. All injections will be performed under ultrasound guidance for accuracy and optimal effectiveness.

If you feel you might be a candidate for the above office-based regenerative medicine approach for the treatment of disabling arthritis, please call the Regenerative Medicine Center nurse, at 301-762-5020 for a consultation appointment.

Helpful Web Resources

Arthritis Foundation

National Fibromyalgia Association

American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association

National Fibromyalgia Partnership

Fibromyalgia Coalition International

National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association

National Fibromyalgia Research Association

Fibromyalgia Care Society of America

Fibromyalgia Community Guide

My Fibro Team Social Network

Solve ME/CFS Initiative (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

National CFIDS Foundation (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome)

PROCEDURES

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy
Stem Cell Transplant
Infusion Center: Certain diseases require the administration of intravenous medications for an ongoing period of time. In the past, this was usually done at a local hospital, which caused significant inconvenience to the patient. In order to provide a less stressful experience, RIMG has created a relaxed, friendly environment for patients requiring intravenous infusions at our clinical site. The unit provides comfortable recliners and a TV with DVD capabilities. All infusions are monitored directly by a Certified Nurse Practitioner under the supervision of the ordering physician.
Ultrasound guided joint injections

FORMS

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Providers in this Specialty:
Lawrence Schainker, MD

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