Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine is the field of medicine that deals with the process of replacing, engineering, or regenerating human cells, tissues, or organs to restore or establish normal function. This field holds the promise of engineering damaged tissues and organs by stimulating the body’s own repair mechanisms to functionally heal previously irreparable tissues or organs.

Leland Kaiser’s 1992 article on hospital administration uses the term “regenerative medicine” in reference to future technologies that will impact hospitals. This new branch of medicine aims to change the course of chronic disease, and regenerate failing organ systems.

It has only recently been researched for use in musculoskeletal conditions and has limited applications. Most of the available materials have limited FDA approval and are most often used “off label,” which requires a medical professional to obtain specific consent for their use, consent for the “off-label” use, and record outcomes over extended periods of time for both success/failure and complications.

This section contains basic information on the use of injectable and surgical regenerative medicine technologies. Many of these treatments are investigational or “off label” and not covered by insurance plans. As the science of regenerative medicine is rapidly changing, it is important to learn as much as you can before undergoing any treatment.

The recent influx of biologic companies and regenerative medicine practitioners has led to stem cells and other regenerative medicine products being heavily marketed as miracle cures. However, it is important to note that many of these clinics have minimal to no expertise in the areas they claim, and that this technology is largely a cash business not covered by insurance.

Orthopedic surgeons are considered the experts in musculoskeletal care. There are many physicians who are not orthopedic surgeons who also treat orthopedic injuries. Orthopedic surgery training is very long and competitive. An allopathic program requires four years of medical school after college, then five years of an ACGME accredited residency, where the focus is on orthopedic conditions.

Allopathic Orthopedic residencies are highly competitive when compared to other specialties in medicine. Most Orthopedic residents graduate after 5 years and then often choose to do a fellowship – an additional 1 year of intensive training in a specific subspecialty of Orthopedic Surgery. The most competitive of all of these is Orthopedic Sports Medicine (others include hip/knee replacement, shoulder/elbow, foot/ankle, spine, pediatrics, oncology, hand/wrist).

There are many non-accredited fellowships and “apprenticeships” that do not meet the standards of the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). These programs do not provide the necessary qualifications as set by the ACGME. In addition, it takes 6 years to master the art of diagnosis and treatment, and more importantly, the understanding of how to analyze new information presented or published on a daily basis.

There is no other medical professional who understands the musculoskeletal system as well as an Orthopedic Surgeon. Other “sports medicine” physicians have minimal training and experience, yet they claim to be equal to Orthopedic Surgeons. They do not have the same level of education and training and they only know the “basics”. They have expertise in some areas of nonsurgical/noninvasive management but often they do not even understand the anatomy of a joint which they often inject.

If you are seeking treatment for a bone/joint/tendon/ligament problem, it is recommended that you seek out a Board Certified, Fellowship trained Orthopedic Surgeon for an opinion. Contact the experts at Bluestone Medical today to get treatment.