Achieving effective long-term therapeutic results in the treatment of chronic pain of musculoskeletal origin: the place of regenerative medicine

The use of regenerative medicine to treat injuries and degenerative conditions is gradually replacing more traditional methods. Regenerative techniques include prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma, and stem cell injection, though the variety of injectable blood products is increasing. These techniques can be used to successfully treat conditions like partial tendon and ligament tears, chronic low back and neck pain, osteoarthritis, and even localized neuropathic disorders. In many instances, surgery may be avoided or at the very least delayed. Regenerative techniques will likely take the place of corticosteroid injections, which have been shown to only offer temporary relief for many of the musculoskeletal conditions treated, and frequently worsen the condition when repeated. Because the body develops various biomechanical compensatory mechanisms to avoid pain and function better, other body parts function suboptimally and eventually develop pathologies as well. Therefore, the practitioner must perform a methodical clinical evaluation to assess the musculoskeletal system as comprehensively as possible. Then one can best address the individual pathologies using the various tools at hand. Regenerative medicine has shown much potential in achieving successful long-term results, preventing much unnecessary surgery, and reducing the need for analgesia.