Many patients today are told they have only three options for chronic joint or spine pain:

• Live with it
• Take medications
• Surgery

Regenerative medicine introduces a fourth option — helping the body repair injured tissue by stimulating its own healing response.

At Donelson Chiropractic Clinic we evaluate whether your condition is a structural problem that may benefit from orthobiologic therapy rather than long-term medication or invasive surgery.

Our goal is not to mask pain.

Our goal is to improve function.

What Is Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine (also called orthobiologic therapy) uses components naturally found in your own body to support tissue repair, reduce chronic inflammation, and improve joint stability.

These therapies aim to stimulate a healing environment inside damaged tissue such as:

• Worn cartilage
• Injured tendons
• Ligament laxity
• Chronic joint inflammation
• Degenerative spinal structures

Unlike steroid injections, which suppress inflammation temporarily, regenerative therapies attempt to activate a biological repair response.

Conditions Commonly Evaluated:

• Knee arthritis
• Shoulder injuries
• Rotator cuff degeneration
• Tendonitis
• Ligament sprains
• Meniscus degeneration
• Degenerative disc disease
• Chronic neck and back pain
• Sciatica
• Joint instability
• Peripheral neuropathy symptoms

Who Is a Candidate?

You may qualify if:

• Pain has lasted more than 3 months
• Physical therapy helped but did not resolve the issue
• Medications only provide temporary relief
• Imaging shows degeneration or tissue damage
• You want to avoid surgery

You may NOT be a candidate if:

• The joint is completely structurally destroyed
• Severe deformity exists
• Advanced neurological compromise is present
• Surgical stabilization is required

A consultation is required to determine candidacy.

The Consultation

Your visit is not an injection appointment.

This evaluation includes:

• Medical history review
• Orthopedic and functional exam
• Imaging review (X-ray or MRI if available)
• Stability testing
• Candidacy determination

If appropriate, a treatment plan is discussed at a separate Report of Findings visit.

Safety

These therapies are designed to support the body’s normal healing processes.

They are not a replacement for emergency care or necessary surgery.

All patients are screened to determine appropriateness and safety before treatment is considered.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma is a concentrated portion of your own blood containing platelets and biologically active proteins involved in healing.

Platelets release signaling molecules called growth factors. These help coordinate tissue repair after injury.

PRP is prepared during your visit by drawing a small amount of blood and concentrating the healing components.

What PRP May Help With

• Chronic tendon injuries
• Mild to moderate arthritis
• Ligament sprains
• Joint instability
• Overuse injuries

Why Not Steroid Injections?

Steroid injections:

• Reduce inflammation temporarily
• Do not repair tissue
• May weaken tendons with repeated use

PRP:

• Attempts to stimulate repair signaling
• Supports tissue healing environment
• Focuses on function rather than temporary suppression

What to Expect
(treatment timelines vary)

Typical progression:

• Week 1–2: inflammatory healing response
• Week 3–6: tissue remodeling phase
• Week 6–12: functional improvement period

KNEE PAIN:

Non-Surgical Knee Pain Treatment

Many knee problems are not sudden injuries — they are gradual structural changes.

Common findings:

• Cartilage wear
• Meniscus degeneration
• Ligament laxity
• Chronic inflammation

Pain occurs when the joint loses stability and the body cannot repair damage fast enough.

Our evaluation focuses on determining whether the joint still has repair potential.

Patients with complete bone-on-bone collapse may require surgical consultation.

However, many moderate cases may qualify for orthobiologic treatment.

SHOULDER TREATMENTS

Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Injuries

The shoulder depends heavily on tendon integrity and muscular balance.

Common problems:

• Rotator cuff degeneration
• Impingement
• Chronic inflammation
• Partial tears

Many patients improve temporarily with therapy but symptoms return because tissue quality has not improved.

Regenerative therapies are designed to support tendon repair signaling and reduce chronic inflammatory cycles.

SPINE / DISC TREATMENTS

Degenerative Disc and Chronic Back Pain

Disc degeneration is not always a surgical problem.

Discs lose hydration and elasticity over time.

This can lead to:

• Chronic low back pain
• Stiffness
• Recurrent flare-ups
• Nerve irritation

Our clinic evaluates whether the spine is structurally stable and whether supportive biologic therapy may be appropriate alongside rehabilitation.

NEUROPATHY TREATMENTS

Peripheral Neuropathy Support

Neuropathy occurs when nerves become irritated or poorly nourished.

Symptoms may include:

• Burning
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Temperature sensitivity

Treatment focuses on improving the tissue environment around affected nerves and reducing chronic inflammation.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS* 

Regenerative therapies are intended to support the body’s healing response.

Results vary by patient and condition.

These therapies do not guarantee tissue regeneration and are not a replacement for surgical care when medically necessary.

Patients are individually evaluated to determine candidacy.