Direct Answer: Regenerative medicine is a field focused on supporting the body's repair and healing processes. In musculoskeletal medicine, orthobiologics commonly refers to biologic materials used for joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bone. At Dr. Tortland's practice, this includes autologous treatments such as PRP, BMA/BMAC, and MFAT, selected according to the diagnosis rather than used as a one-size-fits-all menu.
What Is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine aims to work with the body's biology rather than simply suppress symptoms. Orthobiologic treatments may modulate inflammation, support healing, or provide an autologous tissue graft in selected circumstances.
Regenerative medicine does not mean that every damaged tissue can be regenerated. Arthritis, cartilage loss, tendon degeneration, and complex injuries have different biology and evidence.
Orthobiologic Treatments Used Here
- PRP: platelet-rich plasma prepared from the patient's own blood.
- BMA/BMAC: bone marrow aspirate, with selected preparations concentrated for appropriate joint or bone applications.
- MFAT: microfragmented adipose tissue made from the patient's own mechanically processed fat tissue.
- Prolotherapy / Prolozone: injection-based approaches used in selected tendon and ligament-related conditions.
- Nerve hydrodissection: an ultrasound-guided technique for selected peripheral nerve compression or tethering problems.
Regenerative Medicine vs. “Stem Cell” Marketing
The phrase “stem cell therapy” is often used broadly in consumer marketing. That does not mean every product marketed under that label contains living stem cells or has clinical evidence for the condition being treated. The treatments described here are primarily autologous and should be evaluated based on their actual preparation, indication, and evidence.
What It Can and Cannot Do
Orthobiologics may reduce pain, improve function, or support healing in selected conditions. Evidence differs substantially between treatments and diagnoses. These treatments should not be presented as guaranteed cartilage regrowth, a universal cure for arthritis, or a way to avoid surgery regardless of disease severity.
Diagnosis Before Regeneration
Dr. Tortland's philosophy is Validate – Investigate – Regenerate. Before choosing an orthobiologic, the practice evaluates history, examination, imaging, and when useful, live diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound. The goal is to identify the actual pain generator and stage of the condition.
Dr. Tortland's Qualifications
Dr. Paul Tortland is dual board-certified in Sports Medicine & OMM and Regenerative Medicine. He was the first physician in the world board certified in Regenerative Medicine in 2015 and has practiced orthobiologic medicine since 2007. He has more than 30 years of sports medicine experience.
When Is It Considered?
Orthobiologics may be considered when a diagnosis has been established and conservative care has been insufficient, when a patient is seeking a non-surgical option, or when an orthobiologic has a reasonable evidence-based role. Some patients are better served by physical therapy, activity modification, medication, or surgery.
Related Treatments
Explore PRP, BMA/BMAC, MFAT, and nerve hydrodissection, or the complete Cellular Orthobiologics: BMAC & MFAT guide.
Exploring orthobiologic treatment? Start with Cellular Orthobiologics: BMAC & MFAT or PRP: Custom Concentrate for the patient-facing treatment pages.