Regenerative medicine focuses on repairing damaged areas of the body, and treatment involves injections that support the body’s natural healing response. Dr. Keteyian offers several regenerative therapies – Prolotherapy, Prolozone®, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
The applications for regenerative medicine are broad. It is used to treat arthritis in most joints of the body, such as shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, back, hips, knees, and ankles/feet. In addition to treating the joints themselves, regenerative medicine can effectively stabilize ligaments around joints and repair tears in tendons. It is effective for back pain, rotator cuff injuries, fasciitis, and numerous other conditions.
Regenerative medicine is most effective when delivered with ultrasound guidance. Dr. Keteyian is an expert in the use of ultrasound imaging for orthopedic conditions. He uses ultrasound to help diagnose the underlying reason for a patient’s pain, then guide injections to the area of injury with pinpoint accuracy. The decision regarding the type of regenerative treatment is based on a variety of factors discussed during the appointment.
Prolotherapy and Prolozone®
Prolotherapy and Prolozone® are forms of non-surgical ligament, tendon, and joint reconstruction. Prolotherapy makes use of a concentrated sugar solution to stimulate tissue proliferation and growth. When ozone gas is added to Prolotherapy it is referred to as Prolozone®.
Prolotherapy works by creating an acute inflammatory response in the targeted area. This new injury helps the body focus on and repair the damaged tissue. Ozone is demonstrated to increase blood supply, the flow of healing nutrients, and local energy production within cells. These treatments stimulate the deposition of collagen by fibroblasts. This new tissue rebuilds and tightens injured areas, thereby providing stability and reducing pain.
Although the response may vary by individual, the best results occur with a series of monthly injections. Prolotherapy is effective for a variety of conditions, and often gets results even when chronic pain conditions have been present for years. Many people will experience permanent resolution of their symptoms.
Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) involves drawing blood and using a special process to concentrate the platelet component of the blood. Platelets are known to contain growth factors that help stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Platelets also have an inherent “stickiness” that helps them bind to the area of injury. The mechanism of PRP is similar to when a wound occurs anywhere in the body. Platelets clump together to form a clot that stops bleeding and helps start the healing process. With PRP, Dr. Keteyian identifies the injury on ultrasound and guides the injection into the damaged area. He then tracks the progress of the healing response with ultrasound imaging of the area during each return visit.
