Not all regenerative medicine is created equal. The marketplace has become flooded with clinics offering unproven 'stem cell' treatments using birth tissue products (umbilical cord, amniotic fluid) that have been repeatedly challenged by the FDA. Regenexx is different — in how treatments are prepared, how they are performed, and how outcomes are measured.

1. Your Own Cells — Not Birth Tissue Products

Regenexx procedures exclusively use your own blood or bone marrow as the source of orthobiologic material. This is a fundamental distinction from clinics advertising 'stem cell' injections from umbilical cord or amniotic tissue — products the FDA has taken enforcement action against repeatedly for making unsubstantiated claims. When we use your own cells, there is no risk of rejection and a well-established safety profile.

2. Proprietary Preparation Protocols

Regenexx uses proprietary preparation methods developed and refined over nearly two decades. The result is consistently higher platelet concentrations and more controlled preparations than what is achievable with standard, off-the-shelf PRP kits. This is not standard PRP — it is a specialized, lab-controlled process performed in our on-site BioMod Lab.

3. Mandatory Image Guidance on Every Injection

Every Regenexx injection is performed under real-time ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. Image guidance confirms that the orthobiologic material reaches the intended target — a joint, tendon, ligament, disc, or nerve — not the surrounding tissue. This is not standard practice at most PRP clinics, where injections are often performed "blind."

4. Outcomes Registry and Peer-Reviewed Research

Regenexx maintains one of the largest databases of orthobiologic procedure outcomes in the world. The organization has published peer-reviewed research, including evidence of MRI-confirmed ACL healing and condition-specific outcome data. This commitment to evidence distinguishes Regenexx from the broader "stem cell" industry, which is largely unregulated and unmonitored.

5. Strict Candidacy Standards

Regenexx trains its providers to apply honest candidacy criteria — including clearly defined situations where these treatments are not appropriate. We will tell you honestly if regenerative treatment is unlikely to help your specific situation. This is not universal in the regenerative medicine marketplace.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) has become widely available at orthopedic offices, sports medicine clinics, and even medical spas. But not all PRP is the same — and the differences matter. Regenexx uses a fundamentally different approach to platelet preparation, delivery, and outcome tracking compared to standard PRP offered in most clinical settings.

One of the most common questions patients bring to their consultation is: "Should I try regenerative medicine before surgery, or go straight to surgery?" There is no single answer — and anyone who tells you otherwise isn't being honest. The right choice depends entirely on your specific diagnosis, the severity of your condition, your goals, and what the evidence shows for your situation.

Dr. Ghattas will always present both options transparently and will recommend surgery when it is the more appropriate path.

When Regenerative Medicine May Be Worth Exploring First

• Mild to moderate arthritis with remaining joint space
• Partial tendon or ligament tears (as opposed to complete ruptures)
• Conditions where surgery has significant recovery burden or risk
• Patients who have not yet tried conservative non-surgical options
• Patients who are not ideal surgical candidates for health reasons
• Conditions with published evidence supporting orthobiologic outcomes (ACL, rotator cuff, knee OA)

When Surgery Is Often the More Appropriate Choice

• Severe bone-on-bone arthritis — particularly hip arthritis in patients over 55
• Complete tendon ruptures requiring structural repair
• Spinal instability that requires structural surgical correction
• Conditions where regenerative medicine has not provided adequate relief after appropriate treatment
• When imaging shows pathology that requires direct surgical intervention

Regenerative medicine is not a replacement for surgery in all cases, and surgery is not appropriate for all patients. Dr. Ghattas will always provide an honest assessment of your options based on your specific imaging, symptoms, and health status. Many patients who were surgical candidates chose to explore regenerative medicine first and experienced meaningful improvement — but this is not a guarantee, and surgery remains the better option for some conditions.