VSON SERVICES
Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine is a cutting-edge, innovative treatment that leverages the body's natural ability to heal itself. This specialized field of treatment helps resolve or slow the progression of degeneration to joints, tendons, and ligaments. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, our fellowship-trained regenerative medicine specialists have the expertise to integrate regenerative therapies into a patient's treatment plan.
When Should I Consult a Regenerative Medicine Specialist?
Regenerative medicine is a quickly advancing treatment field dedicated to creating and applying new therapies to heal tissues that are damaged due to injury, aging, and trauma. It refers to the body's natural ability to regenerate (or rebuild) damaged tissue without surgical intervention and involves injecting bone marrow-derived stem cells or platelet-rich plasma into the body to kickstart the natural healing process.
Our regenerative therapy experts use regenerative medicine to decrease pain, increase mobility, and restore damaged bone, muscle, ligaments, and tendons. Candidates for regenerative medicine include patients with the following:
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Osteoarthritis of the joint
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ACL tears
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Meniscus tears
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Chronic shoulder pain due to tendonitis, labral tears, or rotator cuff issues
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Nerve inflammation conditions
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Neck and back pain
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Sciatica
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Non-healing fractures
Regenerative medicine is a relatively new field, but when used alongside physical therapy and in partnership with traditional treatment strategies, it's been shown to advance healing, relieve chronic pain, aid in rehabilitative care, and even prevent or delay the need for surgical intervention.
I can’t say enough great things about VSON's regenerative medicine department. I went to VSON in a desperate search for a nonsurgical option for torn labrums. Several doctors told me I needed hip reconstruction, which wasn’t an option for my lifestyle. Dr. Gnirke went through all the options with me, and together, we settled on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for my hips as it would likely provide pain relief and wouldn’t empty my wallet. A year later, I won another international and national title in my sport. I am extremely pleased with how my hips turned out. They went from 10-20% use (especially on my left side) to 75-85% use. I have no pain like I used to.
Last March, I tore my LCL, and Dr. Gnirke went through all the options with me and my surgeon to see what was best. We settled on stem cells for the knee and my hips. I had the procedure done the last week in December, and by April, I was doing everything I was doing before my injury at 90% minimal pain.
Adrianna A.
Every Patient Is a Star Patient
At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, our fellowship-trained regenerative medicine professionals treat musculoskeletal injuries with the highest level of compassion and expertise.
Using precise musculoskeletal ultrasound and fluoroscopy tests, Dr. Gnirke is able to inject platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system. These innovative, evidence-based procedures provide outcomes-driven solutions that get patients back to the activities they love!