Understanding Ligament Injuries and Regenerative Medicine Treatments

If you are experiencing back or joint pain, surgery is not always the necessary solution. Rather than resorting to surgical procedures that involve cutting out tissue, you may consider treatments that focus on healing and rejuvenating the affected areas. Options like stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and prolotherapy are now accessible to the general public, not just professional athletes. These innovative therapies are designed to promote natural recovery and are supported by educational resources and videos available at stemcellinstitute.com or by calling the Stem Cell Institute in West Los Angeles at 800-300-9300.

About the Program

Welcome to “Living Pain Free,” hosted by Dr. Thomas Grove, a board-certified, fellowship-trained sports medicine physician. This program focuses on all aspects of musculoskeletal medicine, with a special emphasis on regenerative medicine approaches such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapy. These treatments typically involve extracting healing cells from your own body, concentrating them, and delivering them precisely to areas of injury using musculoskeletal ultrasound guidance. The primary goal is to promote tissue healing, reduce pain, increase function, eliminate the need for pain medications, and help patients avoid surgery by pursuing natural, conservative healing methods.

The Role and Importance of Ligaments

Ligaments are strong structures that connect bone to bone, crossing joints and providing essential stability. They contain pain receptors and specialized mechanoreceptors, which contribute to proprioception—the body’s sense of position, tension, load, and movement. When ligaments are damaged, the resulting symptoms can include pain, decreased coordination, and impaired movement, which are often most noticeable in athletes or during weight-bearing activities involving the toes, ankles, knees, hips, or lower back. Addressing ligament injuries is critical for proper healing and restoring function.

Common Ligament Injuries

  • Neck Ligaments: The neck contains many ligaments connecting vertebrae, the skull base, and the upper back. Injuries can result from trauma such as whiplash or concussion and may lead to symptoms like dizziness, headaches, pain, or instability.
  • Shoulder Ligaments: The shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint is stabilized by several ligaments, including the acromioclavicular, coracoacromial, coracoclavicular, and transverse humeral ligaments. These are frequently injured in cases of dislocation.
  • Elbow Ligaments: The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is a common injury in athletes, especially baseball players, and may require procedures like Tommy John surgery. Other structures like the annular ligament are also frequently affected.
  • Wrist and Hand Ligaments: Injuries to the scapholunate ligament or triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) are common and can cause persistent pain and instability.
  • Finger Ligaments: Collateral ligaments support finger joints, and injuries here often result from athletic activities.
  • Low Back Ligaments: Structures such as the iliolumbar, interspinous, supraspinous, and intertransverse ligaments are often involved in lower back pain.
  • Knee Ligaments: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and medial collateral ligament (MCL) are critical for stability and frequently injured.
  • Ankle and Foot Ligaments: Common injuries include the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), deltoid ligament, and Lisfranc ligament. High ankle sprains involve the syndesmotic ligaments.

Many ligament injuries are overlooked in MRI reports, especially if the ligament is not completely torn. Accurate diagnosis requires a thorough hands-on physical exam, sometimes supplemented by ultrasound, to determine the true source of pain and to develop an effective treatment plan.

How Regenerative Treatments Work

Regenerative therapies like stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma are designed to promote the body’s natural healing cascade. These treatments use signaling molecules and healing cells—such as fibroblasts responsible for producing collagen—to repair damaged tissue. The primary mechanism is to initiate and support the healing process, enhancing tissue strength and function.

Evaluating Surgery vs. Regenerative Treatments

Surgical interventions, such as spinal fusions or joint replacements, are major procedures with significant risks and potential long-term consequences, including the likelihood of needing additional surgeries. Many MRI findings, such as arthritis or degenerative changes, are common even in people without pain, so surgery should be considered only as a last resort. Regenerative medicine offers a conservative alternative, often with high success rates in reducing pain and improving function. Proper assessment ensures that the treatment targets the actual source of pain, rather than relying solely on imaging findings.

Contact Information

For more information, educational resources, or to schedule a free consultation, contact the Stem Cell Institute at 800-300-9300 or visit stemcellinstitute.com.

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Part 1 of this podcast

Understanding and Treating Ligament Injuries | Stem Cell Institute Podcast