frequently asked questions

Regenerative Therapy utilises biologic material harvested directly from the patient’s body to help heal disease and injury. It is a minimally invasive, non-surgical, safe same-day procedure. The Consultant will decide which line of Regenerative Therapy is most suited to your case.

The options are:

It may be a combination of more than one treatment protocol in some instances. However, for some patients, the complete protocol is a series of injections in several treatment sessions. The treatment choice is at the consultant’s discretion and is based on your case.

Please note that some treatments may not be available at your nearest Medica Stem Cells clinic. Please get in touch with us for more information.

The full treatment package is available only at Medica Stem Cells clinics in Ireland and includes Regenerative treatment and physiotherapy support. Personalised post-treatment care is also part of the package, including detailed post-treatment instruction manuals and orthotic assessment if required in your case.

It is possible to treat more than one area in the same session. However, it would be at the advice of the doctor based on your unique case. Medica Stem Cells Clinics’ procedures offer a choice of treatment protocols most suitable to the patient to ensure the best possible outcome. The doctor considers many factors like your age, lifestyle, existing conditions, comorbidities and any other relevant factors.

You can call us from the UK on +44 (0) 20 8168 2000, Ireland on +353 (0) 1 298 8000 or INDIA +91 91060 92301 to book a consultation or request a callback today to schedule an appointment with one of the clinics.

You will see one of our expert orthopaedic surgeons and consultants. Our specialist will discuss your medical history during the consultation to find out more about your symptoms, examine the problem joint, and identify the source of the pain and any mobility issues. A diagnostic investigation will be arranged for you if required, usually an MRI. Furthermore, the consultant will discuss all the treatment options with you, along with their potential benefits and any risks.

The cells for Regenerative treatments are harvested from your own body. Cells are obtained from adipose (fat) tissue in your abdominal region or thigh. And bone marrow aspirate is taken from your hip bone called Iliac crest. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and is usually no more or less unpleasant than a visit to the dentist.

Regenerative therapy is an exciting new treatment approach to help people suffering from chronic pain conditions, and it has no age limit. Research has shown that older age does not adversely impact the outcome.

Yes, Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) suppress the initial healing responses that are important in maximizing treatment benefits in PRP therapy. It is best to discontinue all NSAIDs two weeks before and after the PRP procedure to get the best possible outcomes of the procedure. If you are purchasing over the counter medication, please always ask the pharmacist to be sure there are no anti-inflammatories present. However, always discuss with your doctor before stopping any medication! Read more here on the effects of Aspirin and NSAIDs in PRP treatment.

No, each treatment session is a day procedure.

Autologous cells are cells that come from the same patient – your own body.

Allogeneic cells are donated cells like cord blood, amniotic membrane, placenta or dental pulp, and these come from a donor patient, not your own body.

At Medica Stem Cells Clinics, we only use autologous cells.

The advantages of Regenerative treatment compared to surgery are:

  • No general anaesthetic – only local anaesthesia is used in Regenerative treatments.
  • Reduced downtime – much shorter recovery time compared to surgery.
  • Fewer risks involved – no risk of surgery complications such as reaction to general anaesthesia, shock, haemorrhage, cardiac arrest and others.
  • No wounds or scars as Regenerative treatment is injection-based.
  • 100% natural treatment, no risk of rejection as your own cells are used.

Different procedures are used depending on each individual case. However, a local anaesthetic will be given to numb any pain. You will be fully awake during all procedures in our clinic.

The Regenerative therapy procedure is performed in an outpatient setting and only takes up to two hours. No general anaesthesia is required, and most patients don’t need post-operative pain medication. After the procedure, patients typically return to work within a week or two and may resume physical activity much faster than after invasive surgery. Many patients report feeling marked improvement in their joint within one to three months.

For the procedure, Enhanced PRP and cell concentrates are obtained from your body and prepared for injection. Once injected, cells follow inflammatory signals from damaged tissues and travel to the injured areas. These cells have multiple ways of repairing these damaged areas from inducing the production of natural anti-inflammatories which can assist with Osteoarthritis pain and swelling in the joint area to kick-starting the healing in injuries and stimulating regeneration. The anti-inflammatory effect lasts from 2-3 months. From there, you can see continued gradual improvement as the cells help provide healing to the affected area. However, you should not expect to see the full effect of the treatment earlier than six months, especially in the case of joint interventions. Variables like the type of disease or condition, age, lifestyle, comorbidities, general health and other factors also affect the outcome and length of recovery.

The recovery time can vary depending on the condition that is being treated. However, following injections, it is advisable to take it easy for about two weeks and avoid long walks or standing for long periods, especially in case of knee or hip treatment. If you work in an office or as a driver, it is possible to return to work immediately. After the two weeks, you can gradually increase your activity. You will most likely be able to return to light work after two weeks, depending on the nature of your job. However, full instructions will be given on the day.

Regenerative therapy is an ortho biological treatment and needs some time for the cells to repair the damaged or injured cells in the affected areas. The time it takes to work is very individual for every patient. Most patients will experience reduced pain and improved mobility over time. Generally speaking, you could start to see noticeable improvement after 30 days. However, you should not expect to see the full effect of the treatment earlier than six months, especially in the case of joint interventions. Variables like the type of disease or condition, age, lifestyle, comorbidities, general health and other factors also affect the outcome and length of recovery.

The effects of Regenerative treatment may last many years. However, this is very individual and cannot be guaranteed as it would depend on your lifestyle, comorbidities, your general health, the condition being treated and the severity of it and other factors. As it is your own body doing all the healing and because it’s natural, it can be repeated with no difficulty if necessary, unlike surgery.

Scientific research in Regenerative Medicine goes far beyond of few years, especially with knee treatments. Visit the research section on our website for more information.

Regenerative treatments and advanced cell therapies have now been utilised in clinical practice to treat degenerative knees, hips and shoulders for many years and are demonstrating excellent results. Patients see a marked reduction in pain as well as improvement in cartilage quality. A variety of well-founded clinical trials have been conducted on cell therapy to manage and treat chronic pain. The trials concerning Regenerative therapies are widely published online (e.g. PubMed) and are readily available for all to access. Regenerative treatments are proving to be both a safe and effective means of treating many conditions. These treatments allow the body to heal and regenerate in ways that were thought impossible before. Regenerative technology provides a natural alternative to medication and surgeries, which may be more harmful and invasive in some cases. Regenerative therapy procedures are quickly becoming a first-line treatment for chronic pain, degenerative joint disease, like arthritis or osteoarthritis and other various conditions providing a minimally invasive option to avoid invasive surgical repair. There are also numerous Medica Stem Cells clinic patient testimonials on our website for your review.

Regenerative treatment is a safer procedure as opposed to hip or knee replacement because there is no requirement for general anaesthesia – “putting the patient to sleep”. Also, we are using your own cells from your own body, and therefore there is no risk of rejection and transmission of any communicable diseases. However, like any procedure, there is a slight risk of infection at the injection site. The procedure, therefore, is carried out under strict sterile conditions to minimise that risk.

As with any medical procedure, the final outcome of the treatment and extent of improvement varies from one patient to another and cannot be guaranteed. Regenerative therapy is an ortho biological treatment where your body does the healing. Therefore treatment outcome depends on various factors like the type and severity of the condition, age, lifestyle, general health, comorbidities and other factors.

The most common reasons for the injections not to be as effective are smoking, drinking alcohol, excess weight, not participating in exercise or physiotherapy, not addressing gait issue and a negative attitude to start with or lack of motivation. Please note that results, hence, cannot be guaranteed, and in a small percentage of patients, cellular injections will not be effective.

No, you do not need a GP referral or a GP referral letter. We have a team of orthopaedic consultants and surgeons, pain management experts, general practitioners (GP’s), chartered physiotherapists. All our doctors are trained and registered with IMC in Ireland and GMC registered in the UK. You can call the nearest clinic to book an appointment or submit a callback request through our website.

If you are unable to keep your appointment for any reason, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance to avoid any cancellation charges. Read more

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