Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine eases your pain the best way possible: It uses the body’s natural healing cells to restore the damaged and inflamed tissues causing your pain. At Southern Vascular & Pain Management, Thomas Hodgkiss, MD, specializes in regenerative medicine, using mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes to repair your injuries. If you have ongoing pain and would like to learn if you’re a good candidate, call the office in Blytheville, Arkansas and Memphis or Union City, Tennessee, today, or use the online booking feature.

What type of regenerative medicine is stem cell therapy?

Throughout your lifetime, your body depends on stem cells to heal damaged tissues, whether the damage was caused by an injury or disease. 

They do the job through their remarkable ability to replicate and create a new stem cell. Then that new cell grows into many different tissues, depending on what your body needs to heal.

The same thing happens when you’re treated with stem cells. Dr. Hodgkiss injects the cells using real-time imaging, precisely placing them at the site of your injury. Then the cells go into action and regenerate new cells.

When you need stem cell therapy, Southern Vascular & Pain Management uses mesenchymal stem cells. These cells develop into new tendons, ligaments, cartilage, muscles, bones, and skin.

How do amniotic tissues contribute to regenerative medicine?

Amniotic tissues are freely donated by mothers after they have a healthy delivery. The women are carefully screened and the amniotic fluids are tested and purified to ensure they’re safe to be used as a regenerative treatment. 

Amniotic fluids may contain mesenchymal stem cells, growth factors, and other cells that naturally promote healing.

How do exosomes contribute to regenerative medicine?

The cells in your body, including stem cells, release tiny sacs (vesicles) called exosomes. These little vesicles are packed with biochemicals, including vital substances such as DNA, RNA, and proteins needed for metabolism.

The biochemicals communicate with other cells, triggering those cells to perform specific tasks. As one example, the exosomes released by stem cells trigger tissue regeneration and activate growth factors. In fact, exosomes are one of the primary ways that stem cells promote healing.

Exosomes can be harvested in several ways. They’re found in body fluids, and specialists can place cells in a controlled environment that makes them release their exosomes. 

No matter how exosomes are obtained, they’re carefully processed in the lab and then injected to treat injuries, just like stem cells.

What conditions improve with regenerative medicine?

Regenerative medicine can treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Injuries (sprains, strains, and fractures)
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Tennis elbow
• Herniated discs
• Rotator cuff tears
• Meniscus tears
• Ligament ruptures

Stem cells also reduce inflammation, making them a potential treatment for the many inflammatory conditions that cause neck, hip, shoulder, knee, and back pain.

To learn more about regenerative medicine and how it can relieve your pain, callSouthern Vascular & Pain Management or book an appointment online today.