Understanding Regenerative Injection Therapy

By Dr. Ryan Minarik, LAc

A Guide to Pain Relief and Injury Recovery

Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT) is a non-surgical treatment designed to promote healing and reduce pain by stimulating the body’s natural repair processes.

Techniques such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), Prolotherapy, and Microfragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT) use the body’s own biological materials to enhance tissue regeneration, potentially benefiting those with joint pain, tendon injuries, or chronic inflammation.  Dr. Minarik and his team have over 18 years experience in orthopedic and sports medicine injections, treating thousands of patients with these advanced therapies.  So we have plenty of clinical cases to support their effectiveness but let’s delve into some supporting research that suggests that RIT can help improve function and aid recovery in conditions like arthritis and sports injuries (there’s plenty, but for brevity we’ve highlighted a few below).

Supporting Research

A 2024 narrative review highlighted that PRP therapy might enhance healing in meniscal injuries, with studies under one year showing significant improvements in knee symptoms and daily activities [1]. Research from 2022 demonstrated that PRP injections significantly reduced pain and improved functional scores in knee osteoarthritis patients over six months [2]. A 2024 study indicated that higher platelet concentrations in PRP injections correlated with better clinical outcomes, suggesting that optimizing platelet dose could enhance treatment effectiveness [3]. Additionally, a 2021 study found that a single PRP injection provided significant pain relief and functional improvement in early knee osteoarthritis patients, with effects lasting up to one year [4].

There is also growing evidence suggesting that PRP may contribute to cartilage regeneration. A 2022 study found that intra-articular PRP injections led to significant improvements in pain, joint stiffness, and daily activities for knee osteoarthritis patients, while also contributing to cartilage repair and regeneration, as observed through ultrasonography [5]. A review published the same year highlighted that most studies reported PRP having a positive effect on cartilage injuries and joint function [6].

PRP has also been extensively studied for tendon healing, with research demonstrating its effectiveness in treating partial tendon tears. Studies have shown that PRP injections can reduce tear size and improve function in conditions such as partial supraspinatus tendon tears [7] and Achilles tendon injuries [8]. A systematic review also suggests that PRP may help alleviate pain in rotator cuff tendinopathy [9], while case reports highlight its potential for accelerating recovery in professional athletes with partial tendon ruptures.

Prolotherapy has been around since the 1950s (!) and is a remarkably simple but highly effective technique using concentrated dextrose.  As a result, studies are limited with lack of drug company funding, but an older study demonstrated a significant increase in both the mass and thickness of ligaments following prolotherapy treatments, as confirmed through microscopic analysis [10]. Prolotherapy has also been shown to promote ligament repair by thickening and tightening ligaments, as well as strengthening the ligament-bone interface, known as the fibro-osseous junction [11]. These studies suggest that prolotherapy may be an effective non-surgical option for individuals experiencing ligament laxity or chronic musculoskeletal pain where ligaments are weakened or degenerating.

Another promising regenerative therapy is Microfragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT). This treatment involves harvesting a patient’s fat tissue, which is then processed to isolate regenerative cells that can aid in tissue repair. Unlike traditional stem cell therapy, MFAT preserves the natural environment of these cells, allowing them to function more effectively. Studies have shown that MFAT injections may help reduce pain and improve function in osteoarthritis patients by providing cushioning and promoting joint healing [12]. Ongoing research continues to explore its potential for long-term cartilage regeneration, joint preservation, and tendon, ligament, labral, and meniscal repair.

What about Exosomes, Peptides, or Umbilical Cord Stem Cells?

While regenerative medicine continues to evolve, FoRM Health does not currently use exosomes, peptide injections, or umbilical cord stem cells for orthopedic conditions due to several key reasons. First, legal regulations surrounding these treatments remain unclear, and the FDA has not approved them for orthopedic or musculoskeletal conditions outside of clinical trials [13]. Second, there is a lack of high-quality, peer-reviewed human studies demonstrating their safety and efficacy for these applications. Most available research is either preclinical or limited in scope, making it difficult to determine consistent, reliable outcomes. Lastly, efficacy concerns remain, as current data does not conclusively show that these treatments provide superior benefits compared to established options like PRP, prolotherapy, and MFAT. At FoRM Health, we prioritize evidence-based therapies backed by rigorous scientific research to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.  As research evolves, however, we may offer one or more of these therapies so stay tuned!

The FoRM Approach

Because the effectiveness of RIT depends on both the severity and specific condition being treated, FoRM Health requires a comprehensive exam and intake prior to performing any procedures. Complementary treatments like physical therapy or chiropractic rehab, as well as necessary surgical consults, are always considered.  This ensures that each patient receives a personalized approach tailored to their unique needs. Additionally, diagnostic ultrasound plays a crucial role in evaluating soft tissue injuries and guiding treatment decisions. Image-guided injections further enhance precision, ensuring that regenerative therapies are delivered accurately to the targeted areas, maximizing their effectiveness and potential benefits.  Finally, we optimize our results further by using high-dose PRP for optimal platelet concentration and FDA-cleared processing devices for safety.

Contact our front desk today for more information or schedule a visit to treat that chronic injury or arthritis that just isn’t going away so you can Move Better and Feel Better!

References

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36813547/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35189154/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37456894/
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33842442/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35689457/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35147447/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9908802/
8. https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/4973
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6339617/
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6887078/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27011787/
12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32412345/
13. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/safety-availability-biologics/public-safety-notification-exosome-products