Nov 7, 2025
Exploring Advanced Regenerative Options for Long-Term Recovery
Tendon injuries—like those affecting the Achilles, rotator cuff, or elbow—are notoriously slow to heal. Traditional treatments such as rest, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications can help, but many patients continue to experience pain or limited movement long after the initial injury. Fortunately, advances in regenerative medicine have introduced new options that go beyond symptom relief and target the underlying issue: tissue repair. Two of the most promising therapies are Shockwave Therapy and Cell Therapy.
Understanding Tendon Injuries
Tendons are thick, fibrous tissues that connect muscle to bone. Because they have limited blood supply, they heal more slowly than muscles or skin. Repetitive stress, overuse, or a sudden injury can lead to conditions like tendinitis (inflammation) or tendinosis (chronic degeneration). Without proper treatment, these issues can become chronic, causing long-term pain and reduced function.
What Is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave Therapy, also known as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), uses targeted sound waves to stimulate healing in damaged tendons. The high-energy pulses increase blood flow, break up scar tissue, and trigger the body’s natural repair processes.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy:
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Promotes new blood vessel formation for better nutrient delivery.
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Stimulates collagen production, which strengthens tendon fibers.
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Reduces chronic inflammation and pain sensitivity.
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Helps restore normal tendon structure and function over time.
Shockwave therapy is non-invasive, performed in the clinic, and requires little to no downtime—making it a valuable option for athletes and active individuals.
What Is Cell Therapy?
Cell Therapy involves the use of biologic materials—such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cells—to enhance the body’s own regenerative capabilities. These cells release growth factors and signaling molecules that promote new tissue formation and accelerate repair.
Types of Cell Therapy Used for Tendon Healing:
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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood are injected into the injured tendon, releasing growth factors that encourage healing.
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Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cells, often derived from bone marrow or adipose tissue, have the unique ability to transform into various types of cells, including tendon-like tissue.
Both options are minimally invasive and can be performed in an outpatient setting.
The Power of Combining Therapies
Recent research and clinical experience suggest that combining Shockwave and Cell Therapy may offer enhanced results. Shockwave treatment prepares the injured area by improving blood flow and breaking down scar tissue, creating an ideal environment for cell-based treatments to work more effectively. Together, they can:
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Accelerate tissue regeneration
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Reduce chronic pain
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Improve tendon elasticity and strength
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Shorten overall recovery time
This combination approach may be especially beneficial for chronic tendon injuries that haven’t responded to standard therapies.
What to Expect During Treatment
Treatment plans are individualized based on the location and severity of the injury. Typically:
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Shockwave sessions are performed weekly for several weeks.
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Cell therapy injections are done under ultrasound guidance for precision.
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Most patients experience gradual improvement in pain and mobility over the following weeks and months.
Your healthcare provider will design a comprehensive plan that may also include physical therapy and activity modification to support long-term tendon health.
A Regenerative Path to Recovery
If you’ve been living with a stubborn tendon injury that hasn’t responded to rest or conventional care, Shockwave and Cell Therapy may offer the next step in your recovery journey. By addressing the root cause—tissue damage—these advanced treatments help your body heal naturally and more effectively.
Always consult with a healthcare provider at SDOMG to determine whether regenerative therapies are right for your specific condition and overall health goals.
Dec 20, 2023
Cellular therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking medical treatment, revolutionizing the field of healthcare. By utilizing the body’s own cells, this innovative approach seeks to restore health and promote healing in a way that traditional medicine cannot always achieve. In this article, we will delve into the world of cellular therapy, exploring its definition, history, mechanism of action, benefits, and more.
What is Cellular Therapy?
Cellular therapy, also known as cell therapy or cytotherapy, involves transplanting living cells into a patient’s body to replace or repair damaged cells or tissues. These cells can be derived from the patient’s own body. In most circumstances, platelets or mesenchymal cells are used for this type of therapy. Platelets are the tiny cells in a patient’s blood that secrete numerous growth factors which are critical in healing. Mesenchymal cells are multipotent cells found in fat or bone marrow and have the ability to differentiate into bone, cartilage, tendon/ligament, and muscle. Cellular therapy aims to enhance the body’s natural healing processes and restore proper functioning.
History of Cellular Therapy
The history of cellular therapy can be traced back to the late 19th century when bone marrow transplantation was first attempted. This procedure involved the transfer of healthy bone marrow cells to individuals suffering from blood disorders, such as leukemia. Over the years, advancements in medical research and technology have expanded the applications of cellular therapy to various conditions, including organ transplantation, immune system disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and orthopedics.
How It Works
Cellular therapy harnesses the power of cells to promote healing and restore health. The process begins with the collection of the desired cells, which are then prepared for transplantation. These cells are carefully administered to the patient, typically through an image guided injection targeting the affected area. Once inside the body, the cells integrate themselves into the surrounding tissues and initiate the healing process. They either replace damaged cells directly or stimulate the body’s own cells to repair and help grow new tissues, leading to improved health outcomes.
Benefits of Cellular Therapy
Cellular therapy offers numerous benefits, making it a promising treatment option for a wide range of orthopedic conditions. One significant advantage is its ability to provide personalized medicine. Since cellular therapy utilizes the patient’s own cells, the risk of rejection or adverse reactions is significantly reduced. This personalized approach also allows for targeted treatment, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Additionally, cellular therapy can potentially address previously untreatable or difficult-to-treat conditions. By focusing on the root cause of the disease and promoting natural healing, cellular therapy offers new hope for patients who have exhausted conventional treatment options. Moreover, it can potentially reduce the need for invasive surgeries and lifelong dependency on medication, improving the overall quality of life for patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cellular therapy represents a remarkable advancement in medical science, offering a new frontier of treatment possibilities. By harnessing the power of cells, this innovative approach has the potential to transform the lives of countless individuals suffering from various orthopedic conditions. With ongoing research and advancements, cellular therapy holds promise for the future of healthcare, providing hope for individuals seeking more effective and personalized treatment options.
San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group is a leading provider of cellular therapy for the relief of arthritis, chronic tendon injuries, and other orthopedic conditions. Our treatment plans typically involve other forms of therapy to maximize improvements in biomechanics, fitness, nutritional status and healing capacity.
Apr 20, 2021
How do you decide when to proceed with surgery vs. biologics for knee pain due to osteoarthritis, ligament, or meniscus injuries? When should you consider Cell-Based Therapies like PRP, Bone marrow, or Fat Derived Stem Cell treatments for Knee Joint Problems? Join us and learn from experts in the field of Regenerative Medicine!
We are excited to have an International Guest Speaker, Dr. William Murrell, join us for this webinar. He is an Orthopedic Surgeon who is active in developing innovative technology in the field of Regenerative Medicine. He will provide a valuable perspective as a surgeon using these Cell therapies in treating knee pain.
- Date and Time : April 21, 2021. 12 pm PT
- Speaker(s): Dr. Chris Rogers and Dr. Mary A. Ambach featuring our Guest Speaker: Dr. William Murrell
Dr. Christopher Rogers is one of the world’s leading experts in orthopedic regenerative medicine and a renowned speaker at national medical conferences. He has developed new approaches for the treatment of tendon injuries, osteoarthritis, and disc degeneration which provide a safe and viable alternative to surgery.
Dr. Mary Ambach specializes in non-surgical orthopedics, regenerative therapies, and interventional pain management. As a key thought leader in the field of Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Ambach conducts research, trains physicians, and lectures at international medical conferences.
Dr. William Murrell is a Board Certified Orthopaedic surgeon with a sub-specialty in orthopaedic sports medicine and regenerative medicine. He is well recognized in the field of regenerative medicine and is active in clinical research collaborating with experts around the world.
Sep 3, 2020
You may have seen stories in the news about the potential of cell therapy to treat severe cases of COVID-19. One story in particular mentioned positive results of an experimental study of stem cells with the patient mortality rate decreasing from 85 percent to 15 percent.[i] Stem cell therapy has been shown to have regenerative, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. Although this patient sample was very small, this is yet another reminder that cell therapy has moved to the forefront of medicine.
Bone marrow transplantation for blood diseases has been in use for more than 40 years[ii], but more recently has been used to treat orthopedic injuries including joint degeneration and pain.
Why Do My Joints Hurt?
It is not uncommon to experience pain in the shoulders, elbows, knees or hips. Sometimes even the toe joints can hurt. Whether big or small, painful joints can make daily activities difficult and significantly impact your quality of life.
Pain in the joints may result from several different conditions. These include:
· Osteoarthritis: a condition that develops when the cartilage in the joints begins to break down. It often occurs as a result of trauma, aging, obesity or genetic factors.
· Tears or sprains to soft tissues surrounding the joint such as muscles, tendons and ligaments.
· Chronic inflammation due to autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
The good news is that cell therapies that use a patient’s own blood, bone marrow or adipose (fat tissue) have proven to be effective at treating joint pain without surgery or extended rehabilitation.
Fat Cells or Bone Marrow Cells?
Cell therapy is derived from two major sources of cells, adipose (fat) cells and bone marrow cells. Each can be easily obtained in the clinic, but the two offer different healing properties.
Adipose-derived cells are taken from the abdomen, flank or thighs. These cells can repair and replace damaged or injured tissue. The specialized healing cells are called pericytes and they direct other cells to form new blood vessels, awaken stem cells and stimulate the growth of new tissues such as cartilage, bone and tendon. They also secrete powerful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving molecules.
Bone marrow cells can be used for injury recovery and more rapid healing. That’s because bone marrow contains cells that have the ability to improve circulation, decrease inflammation and regenerate healthy tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
How Effective is Cell Based Therapy?
Like all medical treatments, outcomes are significantly impacted by several factors, including:
· The extent of the damage being treated.
· The patient’s overall health prior to the procedure.
· How the orthobiologics are prepared for treatment.
· For many patients, however, using adipose and bone marrow cells to treat orthopedic injuries is highly effective and does not present many of the risks associated with traditional invasive surgery.
The procedure is performed on an out-patient basis in the physician’s office. Most patients require only a single treatment and many are able to resume their normal activities within days.
San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group is one of only six clinics in the U.S. to participate in a first-of- its-kind FDA-approved clinical trial to treat knee osteoarthritis using a patient’s own fat-derived stem cells.
Drs. Christopher Rogers and Mary Ambach of San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group were chosen based on their extensive experience with cell therapy to treat orthopedic conditions.
Sources:
[i] News – Medical: Study: Cellular Therapy Can Improve Severe Cases of COVID-19
[ii] Hopkins Medicine: Research: Cell Therapy
Aug 6, 2020
Many people are discovering the benefits of cell based therapies, commonly known as stem cell treatments, in treating orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendon injuries and chronic low back pain. These treatments have offered patients hope for long term pain relief and healing. Patients have obtained significant medical benefits from physicians who offer safe and evidence based cell therapy.
Although there is increasingly abundant data on the benefits of these treatments, many stem cell therapies are in the investigational stages of development. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the use of stem cells in clinical practice. Healthcare providers that offer cell based therapies are obligated to comply with state and federal regulations.
Unfortunately, in the U.S. there are more than 600 clinics that promote stem cell treatments that are neither safe nor effective. The level of healthcare provider training at these clinics is highly variable with many delivering treatments from unqualified individuals. So when patients ask, “Does stem cell treatment work?”, the answer is, “It depends on the clinic what they are offering as stem cell treatment.”. We believe it is important for physicians and their patients to understand the key differences between cell based treatments and the providers who offer them.
Several “stem cell” clinics use birth tissue derived from umbilical cord blood or amniotic tissue. Others will offer exosomes which are products derived from stem cells. These products are not FDA compliant for orthopedic use. They require FDA approval of a Biologics License Application before physicians are permitted to market them to patients. In an effort to evade FDA scrutiny, the manufacturers of these products claim that their birth tissue products do not contain live stem cells. Yet the clinics that sell these products make very different claims.
What sets San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group apart from other clinics is our commitment to only use FDA compliant cell based therapies that are supported by the scientific evidence. In addition, we use cells that are obtained from the patient’s own body (autologous cells) to maximize safety.
Two Sources of Cell-Based Treatments
Stem cells are found throughout the body. Common sources used to obtain stem cells are bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and adipose tissue (fat) that has been processed in an FDA compliant manner. These tissues are known to contain live stem cells, however it is difficult to accurately measure the number of cells at the time of treatment. In addition to stem cells, there are many other kinds of cells in bone marrow and fat that contain healing properties. Cell based treatments that are obtained from these tissue sources comply with current FDA guidelines and are supported by several scientific studies that report on the safety and efficacy of these therapies for orthopedic conditions.
- Adipose-derived cells are collected from a mini-liposuction procedure, typically from the abdomen or buttocks. San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group offers LIPOGEMS® autologous fat tissue product for treating joint and soft tissue injuries. LIPOGEMS® preserves cells within the fat without jeopardizing their native structure. This enables reparative cells within the fat to continue to work as a functional unit allowing the body to repair damaged or degenerated tissues.
- Bone marrow derived cells contain a rich supply of cells that have been shown to stimulate the body’s ability to improve circulation, decrease inflammation and heal injured tissues. San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group offers bone marrow aspirate concentrate, which provides a significant amount of regenerative cells to support the body’s natural healing response.
Patient Safety is Paramount
Because San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group uses a patient’s own tissue, there is minimal risk of disease transmission, infection or immune reaction. This would not be the case for donor birth tissue derived products. Moreover, autologous cells used in our treatments are preserved in their natural state and possess the greatest healing potential. Donor or birth tissue products have not been proven to be safe or effective for orthopedic conditions. There have been cases of bacterial infection with the use of donor products and most do not contain any living stem cells at all.
In addition to using a patient’s own cells, San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group also protects our patients using:
- State of the art cell processing techniques in our Orthobiologics lab using some of the most advanced regenerative medicine technology in San Diego.
- Innovative equipment to image the joint and spine such as musculoskeletal ultrasound and fluoroscopy (digital x-ray). These tools provide detailed visualization of the injured structures and significantly improve the comfort and effectiveness of cell based therapies.
- Fellowship trained physicians who have decades of experience treating patients with orthopedic conditions. We also track our safety and efficacy outcomes with the DataBiologics registry to help patients make informed medical decisions.
An Investment in Safety
San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group invests significant time and expertise to ensure we offer FDA compliant and evidence based therapies in order to provide our patients with safe, comfortable and effective treatments. As dedicated healthcare professionals, we understand that every patient is unique and that the best outcomes are derived after a comprehensive evaluation, patient education of all treatment options and customized medical care.
Drs. Christopher J. Rogers and Mary A. Ambach of San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group are experts in the field of regenerative medicine and have been providing safe, effective and FDA-compliant cell based treatments to their patients for decades. They serve as faculty members and lecturers at national and international medical conferences and are considered experts in the field of regenerative medicine.
