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Frequently Asked Questions:

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What are orthobiologic treatments?

Orthobiologic treatments are valuable ways of helping your body to heal itself using natural substances. Dr. Graf can harvest some of these active ingredients from your body, or, in some cases, you can choose to use donated products.

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Dr. Graf uses several types of orthobiologic medicine: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) comes from your blood. It consists of platelets that are a rich source of growth factors – special proteins that help your tissues heal – and plasma, the liquid part of your blood that contains anti-inflammatory molecules and proteins such as A2M (alpha-2-macroglobulin).

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Stem cell therapy

Mesenchymal stem cells are master cells that are capable of creating any of 200 types of tissues, including bone, fat, cartilage, tendon, and ligament cells. They play a key part in healing damaged tissues by replacing lost cells. A powerful matrix of placenta and umbilical cord-derived cells can also be utilized to promote healing.

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What can orthobiologic medicine treat?

Orthobiologic medicine at Intelligent Pain & Regenerative Medicine Solutions can treat many different musculoskeletal conditions. For example, Dr. Graf uses PRP and stem cells to help the body repair sports injuries and degenerative disorders like osteoarthritis.

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Some common problems that could benefit from orthobiologic medicine include:

• Back pain

• Neck pain

• Sciatica

• Strained muscles

• Ligaments sprains

• Tendon strains

• Tendonitis

• Cartilage damage

• Stress fractures

• Neuropathy

 

Orthobiologic treatments can potentially help with any condition in which your body is unable to fully heal damaged tissues.

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What do orthobiologic treatments involve?

Orthobiologic treatments are typically injectable. First, Dr. Graf needs to draw some of your blood for PRP therapy, or some bone marrow for stem cell therapy, unless you choose to use donated placenta and umbilical cord cells with special properties.

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The blood draw and bone marrow harvest are virtually painless and take very little time. The fluids go into a centrifuge that spins at such high speeds the platelets, plasma, and stem cells separate from the other substances. Dr. Graf then injects these concentrated solutions into the treatment area. Allogeneic Umbilical Cord Matrix Cells can be purchased from a reputable university-affiliated lab. These cells are frozen and then thawed immediately before injection. He uses image guidance technology to ensure the needle is in the right place before injecting the PRP, stem cells, or Cord Matrix. You can carry on with your day as normal after your treatment.

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How long does it take for orthobiologic medicine treatments to work?

The length of time it takes for orthobiologic medicine treatments to work varies between patients.

You probably won’t feel any significant changes for at least a couple of weeks after your injection because it takes time for the platelets, A2M, stem cells, and Cord Matrix cells to get to work. You should notice a gradual reduction in pain and improvement in mobility for several months once the injections take effect.

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Some patients report that their symptoms ease considerably with just one injection and that the effects last for several months. Other people need more than one injection and may find their symptoms return.

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Find out how orthobiologic medicine could help you heal and reduce your pain by calling Intelligent Pain & Regenerative Medicine Solutions or requesting an appointment online.

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