About the Program
This educational show addresses a wide range of musculoskeletal and orthopedic issues, including sprained ankles, arthritis, gamekeeper’s thumb, tennis elbow, low back pain, neck pain, and upper back pain. The doctors utilize regenerative medicine, such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cells.
Regenerative treatments involve concentrating healing cells and injecting them into affected tissues, creating an inflammatory response that promotes healing. Unlike traditional pain medicine, which often relies on pain pills like opioids or steroid injections, regenerative medicine seeks to resolve the source of pain rather than merely masking it. Steroid injections, while offering short-term relief, can damage tissue and worsen problems over time.
A proper hands-on physical exam is essential to identify the true pain generator, as radiology reports do not always align with the actual source of pain. Many patients present with a single diagnosis, but comprehensive evaluation—including musculoskeletal ultrasound, which provides higher definition than MRI and allows for dynamic assessment—often reveals a different cause for pain.
Caller Interaction: Barbara’s Story – persistent neck pain and an MRI showing a disc bulge
Barbara from Pasadena called in with persistent neck pain and an MRI showing a disc bulge. Despite a surgical recommendation, she preferred alternative options and reported no numbness, tingling, or weakness in her limbs. Dr. Grove explained that disc bulges are common, even among people without pain, and that surgery is typically reserved for cases with severe neurological symptoms. A thorough hands-on physical exam is crucial to identifying the true source of pain, which often arises from small joints (facet joints), muscles, and ligaments rather than the disc itself.
Is neck surgery designed to prevent further degeneration of the cervical spine always necessary?
Dr. Marc Darrow is a board-certified medical doctor trained at UCLA, specializing in the use of stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for healing. He educates patients on regenerative treatments, including stem cells, PRP, and prolotherapy. Dr. Thomas Grove is a regenerative medicine specialist and an expert in ultrasound-guided injections, with extensive experience as an athlete and strength and conditioning coach. Together, they provide effective solutions for pain and offer hope for a new life without discomfort.
