511 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
2027 Village Lane, Suite 101, Solvang, CA 93463
2001 N. Solar Drive, Unit 220, Oxnard, CA 93036
Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine is a game-changing combination of traditional medicine, tissue engineering, and molecular biology. It has the potential to fully heal damaged tissues. Historically, orthopedic treatment has focused on alleviating disease symptoms. Regenerative medicine, however, is focused on modifying the disease process to slow or prevent its progression. These exciting techniques offer hope for patients who have conditions that are beyond repair short of surgery. The physicians at Alta Orthopaedics are incorporating regenerative medicine principles into all of their orthopedic care. We provide the following specific regenerative medicine therapies.
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Viscosupplement Therapy
- Cartilage Repair
- Lumbar Disc Augmentation
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
People with chronic pain from tendon injuries or osteoarthritis as well as athletes with acute injuries may experience relief from this safe, non-surgical procedure.
Platelets are found in blood and play an important role in tissue healing. When activated, platelets release many growth factors that attract stem cells and act to stimulate tissue healing. PRP has been used in orthopedics for many years to treat pain and jumpstart the healing process.
At Alta Orthopaedics, PRP Therapy is performed in an exam room and takes about 20 minutes. Using strict aseptic technique a small sample of the patients blood is obtained and centrifuged to separate and concentrate the platelets forming PRP. The PRP is then injected into the affected area (e.g. painful tendon or joint). The growth factors recruit stem cells to increase and stimulate the healing process. Ultrasound needle guidance is used to insure proper placement of the PRP.
The side effects of PRP therapy are minimal as the process uses a patient’s own blood.
Am I a candidate for PRP Therapy?
Am I a candidate for PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy is used for patients with chronic tendinitis or moderate osteoarthritis who have failed conservative treatments such as rest, medication and physical therapy. PRP therapy may also be recommended for some acute athletic injuries.
How many PRP injections will I need?
How many PRP injections will I need?
We typically suggests 1-3 injections depending on the findings at examination. This is decided on a case-by-case basis.
What is the cost of PRP Therapy?
What is the cost of PRP Therapy?
A single injection costs $600 and subsequent injections in the same area (if necessary) cost $500. Bilateral procedures performed on the same day cost $900. Insurance companies almost universally will not pay for PRP therapy and you will be required to pay out of pocket for the treatment.
When can I return to my normal activities?
When can I return to my normal activities?
Your return to normal activities depends on the body part and condition being treated.
- If you receive joint injections for osteoarthritis you can return to your normal activities in 24 hours.
- For ankle soft tissue injections you may be required to wear a walking boot for a few weeks.
- After injections in shoulder, elbow or knee tendons the joint should be rested for a few days as needed for comfort.
Can I continue to take my normal medications?
Can I continue to take my normal medications?
- If you are being injected for a tendon problem or an acute injury do not take anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Aleve, Advil) for 7 days prior to the injection and 6 weeks after the last injection. If you are taking aspirin, you can continue to do so. Acetaminophen/Tylenol is allowed anytime.
- If you are being injected for osteoarthritis there are no medication restrictions.
How do I make an appointment to see if I’m a candidate?
How do I make an appointment to see if I’m a candidate?
To make an appointment with an Alta Orthopaedic physician regarding PRP therapy please call 805-963-9377.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Therapy
Alta Orthopaedic physicians were among the first in the country to perform orthopedic bone marrow aspirate concentrate injections. This treatment method delivers a high concentration of mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors to relieve pain from osteoarthritis and chronic tendon injuries and to promote tissue healing of acute athletic injuries.
There are many types of stem cells in the body and the two most commonly used are isolated from bone marrow and adipose tissue. Physicians at Alta Orthopaedics favor bone marrow containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC’s) obtained from the iliac crest, or “hip bone”. A centrifuge is then used to concentrate the MSC’s and other growth factors forming bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). The concentrate is injected into the painful joint or tendon. Although not appropriate for everyone, BMAC injections can be successful for the right patient.
Since the BMAC is obtained from the same patient the chance of an adverse reaction is low.
Am I a candidate for BMAC?
Am I a candidate for BMAC?
BMAC therapy is used for patients with chronic tendinitis or moderate osteoarthritis who have failed conservative treatments such as rest, medication and physical therapy. BMAC therapy may also be recommended for some acute athletic injuries.
What is the cost of BMAC therapy?
What is the cost of BMAC therapy?
The ultimate cost is dependent on the specifics of the injection, however, a typical injection costs between $4,000 for one site and $6,000 for two sites performed at the same time. Insurance companies almost universally will not pay for BMAC Therapy and you will be required to pay out of pocket for the treatment.
Where is this treatment performed?
Where is this treatment performed?
BMAC injections are performed in an outpatient surgery center using sedation for pain control.
How many injections will I need?
How many injections will I need?
Alta Orthopaedic physicians typically perform one BMAC injection and may follow this 6 weeks later with a PRP injection in the office.
Will BMAC therapy grow back my cartilage?
Will BMAC therapy grow back my cartilage?
There is little scientific evidence that BMAC or any other type of “stem cell therapy” will regenerate articular cartilage. The purpose of the injection is to provide pain relief and increased function. BMAC Therapy will not cure your osteoarthritis.
When can I return to my normal activities?
When can I return to my normal activities?
Your return to normal activities depends on the body part and condition being treated.
- If you receive joint injections for osteoarthritis you can return to your normal activities in 24 hours.
- For ankle soft tissue injections you may be required to wear a walking boot for a few weeks.
- After injections in the shoulder, elbow, or knee tendons the joint should be rested for a few days as needed for comfort.
Can I continue to take my normal medications?
Can I continue to take my normal medications?
- If you are being injected for a tendon problem or an acute injury do not take anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Aleve, Advil) for 7 days prior to the injection and 6 weeks after the last injection. If you are taking aspirin, you can continue to do so. Acetaminophen/Tylenol is allowed anytime.
- If you are being injected for osteoarthritis there are no medication restrictions.
What is the success rate of BMAC therapy?
What is the success rate of BMAC therapy?
The number of studies supporting the use of BMAC continues to grow. However, there are few long-term outcome studies and this treatment should still be considered as experimental. Nevertheless, it is our experience that the treatment is successful in 75-80% of the patients by two months with improvement possibly continuing for up to 6 months after the injection. Approximately 25% of the patients will see little if any improvement after this treatment.
How do I make an appointment to see if I’m a candidate?
How do I make an appointment to see if I’m a candidate?
To make an appointment with an Alta Orthopaedic physician regarding BMAC therapy please call 805-963-9377.
Viscosupplement Therapy
Viscosupplementation involves injecting a gel-like fluid called hyaluronate into an osteoarthritic joint to provide pain relief and to increase function. Hyaluronate is found in high concentrations in normal joint fluid and acts both as a lubricant and a shock absorber for the joint. Osteoarthritic joints have a lower concentration of synovial fluid and the joint fluid is of poor quality. Viscosupplement injections work by augmenting the poor quality synovial fluid with highly purified hyaluronate. This acts to decrease or block inflammation and pain and improve joint function. Recent scientific studies also suggest that hyaluronate injections may also slow or prevent the progression of osteoarthritis. Viscosupplement therapy programs at Alta Orthopaedics are individualized for each patient but generally involve a series of five weekly injections.
Am I a candidate for viscosupplement therapy?
Am I a candidate for viscosupplement therapy?
Viscosupplement therapy is used for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis who have failed conservative treatments such as rest, medication, and physical therapy.
How many viscosupplement injections will I need?
How many viscosupplement injections will I need?
Your Alta physician typically suggests a weekly injection for 5 weeks.
What is the cost of viscosupplement therapy?
What is the cost of viscosupplement therapy?
Most insurance companies will pay for injections if pre-approved. If your Alta Orthopaedic physician determines that you are a candidate, an authorization request will be submitted to your insurance carrier. Your injections will be scheduled once approval is obtained.
What are the effects of viscosupplement therapy?
What are the effects of viscosupplement therapy?
Hyaluronate injections are generally safe with little adverse reactions. A small percentage of patients may notice pain, warmth, and slight swelling after the injection. Ice and rest may help with these symptoms.
When can I return to my normal activities?
When can I return to my normal activities?
For 24-48 hours after your injection you should avoid excessive activities such as jogging.
Can I continue to take my normal medications?
Can I continue to take my normal medications?
There are no medication restrictions.
How do I make an appointment to see if I’m a candidate?
How do I make an appointment to see if I’m a candidate?
To make an appointment with an Alta Orthopaedic physician regarding viscosupplement therapy please call 805-963-9377.
Cartilage Repair
Joint surfaces are covered with articular cartilage that is normally smooth and nearly frictionless. Unfortunately, articular cartilage has very little healing capacity and once damaged may lead to progressive deterioration, arthritis and pain. If the cartilage damage is focal and there is healthy cartilage surrounding the injured area then innovative cartilage repair techniques may be utilized. One of these involves microfracture (making small holes in the underlying bone to allow bone marrow ingress) and filling the defect with a mixture of cartilage fragments with PRP. The defect is then sealed with fibrin glue. This procedure promotes a healing response to repair the damaged tissue.
Contact Alta Orthopaedics to make an appointment with one of our cartilage repair specialists.
Lumbar Disc Augmentation
After a lumbar discectomy the disc space is left with a defect that alters the normal mechanical structure of the disc. The spine surgeons at Alta Orthopaedics are performing an innovative technique where they fill this intervertebral disc defect with a fibrin scaffold rich in growth factors. New and exciting research has shown that this augmentation may initiate repair and regrowth of the intervertebral disc.
Contact Alta Orthopaedics to make an appointment with one of our lumbar disc augmentation specialists.
