Regenerative Medicine for Spine and Joint Pain

Regenerative medicine (RM) is a rapidly expanding topic within orthopedic and spine surgery, sports medicine and rehabilitation medicine. In the last ten years, regenerative medicine has emerged from the fringes as a complement and challenge to evidence-based medicine. Both clinicians and patients alike are eager to be able to offer and receive treatments that don't just surgically replace or clean old joints or inject away inflammation or work as a stop-gap measure. Regenerative medicine encompasses everything from the use of stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to prolotherapy, viscosupplementation and beyond. This book will provide healthcare practitioners dealing with spine and joint pain with the most current, up-to-date evidence-based information about which treatments work, which treatments don't, and which are on the horizon as potential game changers. Chapters are arranged in a consistent format and cover the spine, shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist, hip, knee, and foot and ankle, providing a thorough, top-to-bottom approach. A concluding chapter discusses current and future directions and applications of RM over the next decade or two. Timely and forward-thinking, Regenerative Medicine for Spine and Joint Pain will be a concise and practical resource for orthopedists, spine surgeons, sports medicine specialists, physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists, and primary care providers looking to expand their practice.