Introduction

Are you living with pain? Whether it’s joint or muscle pain, this program offers insights and solutions. Welcome to “Living Pain-Free” with Dr. Marc Darrow, MD, and Dr. Thomas Grove, DO, from the Stem Cell Institute in West Los Angeles.

Meet the Doctors

Dr. Marc Darrow is a medical doctor, board-certified through his studies at UCLA. He utilizes innovative treatments such as stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to help heal the body. Dr. Darrow also educates patients about stem cells, PRP, and prolotherapy.

Dr. Thomas Grove is a regenerative medicine specialist and an expert in ultrasound-guided injections. He brings extensive experience as both an athlete and a strength and conditioning coach, allowing him to deeply understand pain and recovery.

Regenerative Medicine for Pain Relief

As a board-certified physician with sports medicine fellowship training, I rely on a variety of tools to help people manage their aches and pains. One of my favorite approaches is regenerative medicine, which harnesses the healing power of your body’s own cells.

We utilize platelets—often drawn from your blood and concentrated as platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—and sometimes stem cells harvested from bone marrow. These are powerful tools that can be delivered directly to damaged tissues.

By concentrating these healing cells and delivering them with precision using musculoskeletal ultrasound, we can target the exact area in need of healing. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is my imaging technique of choice, allowing for precise placement of cells into damaged tissue to promote healing. The ultimate goal is to restore function to the affected body part, decrease pain, and help patients return to their normal activities, all while avoiding unnecessary surgery, pain medications, narcotics, and lengthy rehabilitation sessions.

Throughout the week, I’ve encountered several cases that highlight common pitfalls in pain treatment. Many patients come to us after having undergone unnecessary surgeries. We’ll discuss how these situations arise, including multiple surgeries, reliance on pain pills, and other complications. It’s a frustrating scenario, especially when a more conservative approach could have promoted healing and avoided the entire situation.

One example is a patient in his 40s who developed shoulder pain after playing tennis. An MRI revealed a partial rotator cuff tear, a common finding as we age and experience more wear and tear. He received a steroid shot, which helped briefly, but physical therapy was intolerable due to pain. Eventually, he underwent rotator cuff surgery, resulting in a long recovery, extensive rehab, and persistent pain. Upon examination, I found the source of his pain was actually a biceps tendon issue—tendinosis, not a rotator cuff tear. This case illustrates the importance of thorough physical exams and targeted treatments, and the risks of unnecessary surgeries.

When evaluating pain, it’s essential to return to basics: comprehensive physical exams, detailed histories, and accurate imaging. Treatment plans should be tailored to individual goals, activity levels, and timelines. With advanced technology like musculoskeletal ultrasound, we can diagnose and treat soft tissue injuries safely and effectively, minimizing risks and promoting healing.

Welcome back to Living Pain Free, hosted by Dr. Thomas Grove, a board-certified physician with fellowship training in sports medicine. In this program, Dr. Grove shares his expertise on treating aches and pains, focusing on the innovative field of regenerative medicine.

What Is Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine utilizes the body’s own healing cells, delivered precisely to damaged tissues using ultrasound guidance. This method aims to restore function, reduce pain, and help patients return to their usual activities without resorting to elective orthopedic surgeries, pain medications, or steroid shots. The goal is to encourage the body’s natural healing process.

Common Conditions Treated

In the clinic, common diagnoses treated with regenerative medicine include nerve entrapments like carpal tunnel syndrome, ligament or tendon sprains, muscle tears, and arthritis. These treatments often yield good results and can help avoid unnecessary surgeries.

How Regenerative Medicine Works

The process involves harnessing the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. For example, when you get a cut, platelets rush to the area to form a clot and release growth factors, signaling stem cells to aid in recovery. This begins with an inflammatory phase, followed by the proliferation of new collagen-based tissue, and finally the maturation of this tissue so it regains normal function. Proper rest after treatment and avoiding anti-inflammatory medications are important to optimize healing, as these medications can interrupt the necessary inflammatory phase.

Optimizing the Healing Process

To maximize healing, patients should focus on good sleep, nutrition—especially protein intake—and patience, as true healing can take months. Sometimes multiple treatments are needed. It’s important not to rush back to activity too soon to prevent setbacks.

When to Seek Treatment

Addressing injuries early, especially in weight-bearing joints, can prevent a cascade of further injuries and complications. If you notice instability, pain, or reduced function, it’s best to consult a specialist promptly to avoid chronic problems.

Case Examples

  • Finger Dislocation: A common sports injury where the joint and surrounding stabilizing structures are injured. Targeted injections can help restore function and relieve pain.
  • Knee Pain After Injections: Hyaluronic acid injections (“gel shots”) may offer temporary relief but have limited regenerative capacity and potential for complications if not injected properly. Regenerative medicine aims to heal the tissue instead of just masking pain.
  • “Bone on Bone” Diagnosis: End-stage arthritis may not always require joint replacement if function is preserved and pain is manageable. Regenerative therapies may help avoid unnecessary surgery.
  • Whiplash Injuries: Damage to ligaments around the spine may not show on MRI but can still cause pain and benefit from regenerative treatment.

The Goal of Regenerative Medicine

The primary goal is to promote true healing of damaged tissues, reduce pain, improve function, and keep patients active—while avoiding unnecessary surgeries or long-term reliance on medications. This approach harnesses the body’s own mechanisms and delivers a concentrated dose of healing cells directly to where they are needed most.

Conclusion

Regenerative medicine offers a conservative, effective, and patient-focused solution for many musculoskeletal issues. It emphasizes healing from within, using the body’s natural potential to repair, and aims to keep patients living an active and pain-free life.