Medical Review: Dr. Gerald Mastaw, MD – Board-Certified Physician
Last Updated: October 2025
What Do We Mean by “Musculoskeletal Injury”?
Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries affect the body’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints.
They may happen suddenly, like twisting an ankle, or develop gradually from repetitive strain or overuse.
Common Examples Include:
- Sprains and strains: ankle, knee, or back injuries
- Tendinopathies: tennis or golfer’s elbow, Achilles, or patellar tendon pain
- Rotator cuff irritation or partial tears
- Plantar fasciitis or iliotibial (IT) band syndrome
- Mild to moderate meniscus or labrum injuries
Because these tissues have limited blood flow, healing can be slow, and some injuries may recur after returning to activity.
How These Injuries Are Usually Treated
Traditional care focuses on pain control and gradual healing through rest and rehabilitation.
While many patients recover, symptoms sometimes return when normal activity resumes or healing is incomplete.
Common Conventional Options
- RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, and elevation
- Activity modification or temporary bracing
- Medications: short-term anti-inflammatories or pain relievers
- Physical therapy: mobility training, strengthening, and biomechanics correction
- Injections: local anesthetic or corticosteroid for temporary relief
- Surgery: generally reserved for full tears or severe structural damage
These methods can reduce pain but may not restore full tissue integrity or prevent future injury.
Regenerative Medicine Options for Musculoskeletal Injuries
Regenerative medicine aims to stimulate the body’s natural repair mechanisms, healing tissue instead of masking pain.
It’s increasingly used for chronic or hard-to-heal tendon, ligament, and joint injuries.
Common Regenerative Therapies
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP):
Concentrated platelets from your own blood deliver growth factors that reduce inflammation and accelerate repair. - Umbilical Cord Tissue–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (UCT-MSCs):
Young, active stem cells from screened, donated cord tissue that may help regenerate damaged structures and modulate inflammation. - Prolotherapy:
A mild irritant solution injected into injured tissue to stimulate the body’s natural healing response and strengthen weakened connective tissue.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced pain and swelling
- Faster recovery compared to rest alone
- Improved strength, flexibility, and joint stability
- Lower risk of re-injury once healing is complete
Important:
PRP, UCT-MSC, and prolotherapy are investigational for orthopedic use in the U.S. and are not FDA-approved for musculoskeletal conditions.
However, multiple clinical studies show promising safety and functional improvements in patients with chronic joint or tendon injuries.
Recent Clinical Studies on Regenerative Medicine for Musculoskeletal Injuries
2025 – UC-MSC Exosomes for Knee Osteoarthritis
Title: Injection of Human Umbilical Cord MSC Exosomes for Knee Osteoarthritis: From Preclinical to Clinical Research
Journal: Journal of Translational Medicine – Full Text
Summary:
Patients receiving exosomes (cell-secreted vesicles) from UC-MSCs reported reduced joint inflammation, less pain, and improved function without adverse effects.
MRI scans suggested cartilage regeneration, confirming the therapy’s potential as a safe, novel regenerative option for osteoarthritis.
2025 – PRP vs. Steroid for Tennis Elbow
Title: Platelet-Rich Plasma Provides Superior Clinical Outcomes Without Radiologic Differences in Lateral Epicondylitis: Randomized Controlled Trial
Journal: PubMed – Full Text
Summary:
In this randomized study of 50 patients, PRP injections significantly outperformed steroids and placebo at 3 and 6 months for pain reduction and arm function.
PRP patients maintained improvement, while steroid effects faded by 6 months — confirming PRP’s longer-term benefit and safety for chronic tendon injury.
2025 – UC-MSC Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis
Title: Efficacy of a Single Dose of Cryopreserved UC-MSCs for Knee Osteoarthritis: Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Pilot Study
Journal: PubMed – Full Text
Summary:
Thirty patients with knee arthritis received either UC-MSCs or corticosteroid injections.
After 12 months, MSC-treated patients had significantly better pain, stiffness, and function scores, with no adverse reactions.
Researchers concluded that a single UC-MSC injection provided durable relief and superior quality-of-life improvement versus steroids.
Could This Be a Good Fit for You?
You may want to explore regenerative care if you:
- Have a persistent tendon or ligament injury that hasn’t healed with standard care
- Want to avoid or delay surgery (when appropriate)
- Are an active adult or athlete aiming to return safely to sport or work
- Prefer minimally invasive options with tailored rehabilitation plans
What to Expect
- Comprehensive evaluation (exam, imaging, and functional review)
- Personalized treatment plan (injection strategy + rehab protocol)
- Defined goals for pain relief, mobility, and performance
At Stemedix, our regenerative protocols combine biologic therapies with structured recovery programs to support lasting joint and tendon health.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Regenerative therapies such as PRP, UCT-MSC, and prolotherapy are not FDA-approved for orthopedic indications. Always consult a qualified physician to determine whether regenerative treatment is appropriate for your condition.
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