What Is Regenerative Medicine?
In orthopedic applications, the aim is to reduce pain and inflammation, support joint function and contribute to the tissue's own repair process.
Regenerative treatments do not completely regenerate worn cartilage or eliminate osteoarthritis. Scientific research in this field is ongoing, and results vary from person to person.
At Romatem, regenerative treatments are not offered as a stand-alone solution but as part of a physical therapy and rehabilitation program. Whether you are a suitable candidate is decided by your physician after evaluating your examination and imaging results.
For Which Orthopedic Conditions Can It Be Considered?
Regenerative treatments may be considered as an option, usually for patients whose symptoms persist despite medication, exercise and physical therapy. The orthopedic conditions for which they are most often considered are:
Which treatment is suitable in which situation is decided by jointly evaluating how long you have had your symptoms, the examination findings and imaging results such as MRI or X-ray.
Regenerative Medicine and Exosomes in Neurological Diseases
In addition to orthopedics, regenerative medicine is also used in some neurological diseases. One of the most widely discussed methods in this field is exosome therapy.
What are exosomes?
Exosomes are very small vesicles secreted by cells that carry proteins and genetic material. They play a role in communication between cells. Exosomes used for treatment are produced in the laboratory under special conditions.
Laboratory studies are investigating the potential of exosomes to reduce inflammation in nerve tissue and support repair processes.
In which neurological conditions is it considered?
Spinal cord injuries
Permanent deficits after stroke
Traumatic brain injury
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson's disease
ALS
What you need to know
Exosome treatments do not cure neurological diseases. They have not been scientifically shown to restore lost functions.
They do not replace your medications or standard treatments. Do not stop these treatments without consulting your physician.
The core approach with scientifically proven effectiveness in neurological diseases is regular, intensive rehabilitation.
Depending on the route of administration, headache, fever, pain at the administration site, infection and allergic reactions may occur.
Your physician decides whether the treatment is suitable for you by evaluating the type and stage of your disease and your general health.
Combined with rehabilitation
At Romatem, regenerative treatments for neurological diseases are planned together with a personalized neurological rehabilitation program. This program may include methods such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, robotic rehabilitation and, when needed, speech and swallowing therapy.
At Romatem, exosomes can be administered by the following routes:
- intravenous (into a vein)
- intrathecal (into the cerebrospinal fluid)
- intramuscular (into the muscle).
The route and frequency of administration are individualized for each patient and are decided according to progress and response to treatment.
Who May Not Be a Suitable Candidate?
Regenerative treatments are not suitable for everyone. In the following situations, the procedure may be postponed or a different treatment may be recommended:
Active infection at the treatment site or elsewhere in the body
Active cancer or ongoing cancer treatment
Blood disorders and clotting disorders
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Uncontrolled diabetes or use of immunosuppressive medications
A cortisone injection into the same area within the past few weeks
Advanced osteoarthritis with complete loss of joint space (in this case, surgical options may be more appropriate)
If you take blood thinners, be sure to mention this at your examination. Do not stop these medications or change their dose without consulting your physician.
What does the preliminary evaluation include?
Examination by a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist
Imaging with X-ray, MRI or ultrasound when needed
Blood tests and a review of the medications you take
A discussion of your expectations and other treatment options
The Treatment Process in Orthopedic Applications
The procedure is usually completed on the same day and does not require hospitalization. Depending on the method, a single session or several sessions a few weeks apart may be planned. The process generally consists of the following steps:
Examination and planning: Your physician evaluates your symptoms, imaging results and medical history, and determines whether the treatment is suitable for you and which area will be treated.
Sample collection: Depending on the method used, a small sample of your own blood or tissue is taken, under local anesthesia when needed. [With physician approval: the regenerative method used at Romatem will be written here.]
Preparation: The sample is processed under sterile conditions and made ready for use.
Injection: The prepared product is injected into the joint or tendon area to be treated, under ultrasound guidance when needed.
Observation and going home: After a short period of observation following the procedure, you can go home with your physician's recommendations.
Rehabilitation: A physical therapy and exercise program tailored to you is started, and your progress is monitored at follow-up examinations.
Why Are Regenerative Treatment and Physical Therapy Planned Together?
An injection on its own does not strengthen the muscles that support the joint or change movement habits. For this reason, at Romatem, regenerative treatments are planned together with a personalized rehabilitation program.
A team made up of a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and physiotherapists adjusts the program in stages according to your condition:
Initial phase: Protecting the treated area and controlling pain and swelling
Restoring movement: Controlled exercises to increase range of motion
Strengthening: Strengthening the muscles that support the joint, for example the thigh and hip muscles for the knee; progressive loading of the tendon for tendon problems
Return to daily life and activity: Training aimed at your goals, such as walking, climbing stairs, work and sports
Progression to each phase is based on your progress at follow-up examinations. The exercises you do at home are also an important part of the program.
In knee and hip osteoarthritis, excess weight increases the load on the joint. For this reason, weight management is also recommended when needed.
The Post-Treatment Period and Realistic Expectations
In the first few days after the procedure, pain, swelling, tenderness or bruising may occur at the injection site and at the site where the blood or tissue sample was taken. These symptoms are usually temporary.
Points to keep in mind
Avoid overloading the treated area for the period recommended by your physician.
You may be asked not to take certain pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for a period before and after the procedure. Ask your physician which medications you can take.
Attend your follow-up appointments and keep up with your exercise program regularly.
Possible risks
As with any injection procedure, infection, bleeding, bruising and a temporary increase in pain may occur. Your physician will explain these risks and any considerations specific to you in detail before the procedure.
If you notice fever, increasing redness and warmth, discharge or worsening pain after the procedure, go to the hospital without delay.
What should you expect?
Any effect of regenerative treatment may appear gradually over several weeks rather than immediately. Results vary from person to person depending on factors such as age, disease stage, general health and adherence to the rehabilitation program; some patients may not experience a noticeable benefit. During follow-up, your physician decides whether additional treatment is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is regenerative treatment painful?
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia when needed. You may feel pressure or mild discomfort during the procedure. Any pain and tenderness over the following few days is usually temporary.
Does regenerative treatment completely cure knee osteoarthritis?
No. The aim of regenerative treatment is to reduce pain and support joint function. Scientific evidence that worn cartilage regrows is limited.
Which methods does regenerative medicine include?
Regenerative medicine is the umbrella term for methods that aim to support the body's own repair mechanisms. These methods may use biological products prepared from the person's own blood or tissues, or laboratory-produced exosomes. Your physician decides which method is suitable for you after an examination.
When does the effect begin, and how long does it last?
Any effect may appear gradually over several weeks. How long the effect lasts varies from person to person, and long-term results are still being investigated in scientific studies.
Will I need to stay in the hospital?
Usually not. The procedure is mostly completed on the same day, and you can go home after a short period of observation.
When can I return to daily life after the procedure?
When you can return to daily activities depends on the treated area and the type of work you do. Return to strenuous physical activity and sports is gradual, following the rehabilitation program planned by your physician and physiotherapist.
How many sessions are needed?
The number of sessions depends on the method used and the area treated. A single session may be enough, or several sessions a few weeks apart may be planned. Your physician determines the session plan after an examination.
Can the treatment be repeated?
Based on the evaluation at your follow-up examinations, your physician may recommend a repeat procedure or a different treatment.
Can regenerative treatment replace knee replacement surgery?
Regenerative treatments are generally considered in early- and mid-stage osteoarthritis. In advanced stages, where the joint space has been completely lost, surgical options such as joint replacement may be more appropriate.
Does exosome therapy cure neurological diseases?
No. Current scientific evidence does not show that exosome treatments cure neurological diseases. Research in this field is at an early stage. The core approach with proven effectiveness in neurological diseases is regular rehabilitation.
Can exosomes be used in children?
Scientific data on these treatments in children are even more limited than in adults. The decision to proceed is made by the physician after a detailed evaluation of the child's condition. The possible benefits and risks are clearly explained to the family.
Information and Appointments
To find out whether regenerative treatment is right for you, you can book an examination appointment with our physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only. Always consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
