Living with a stubborn knee, shoulder, or ankle problem can make every walk along the Charleston waterfront feel longer than it should. If rest, medication, and therapy have only taken you so far, you may have heard about treatments that use your own blood, fat, or bone marrow. Here is a clear look at the cellular therapy options available near Charleston, how each one works, and what current research really says.
What Cellular Therapy Means in Orthopedic Care
Cellular therapy is a broad term for treatments that use material from your own body to support the healing response in joints, tendons, and other soft tissues. In orthopedics, these approaches are often grouped under the name orthobiologics.1 They are usually performed as office procedures, and the goal is to ease pain and improve function, sometimes as a way to delay or avoid surgery.
Our approach to regenerative medicine centers on three main options, each drawn from a different source in your body.
Three Cellular Therapy Options Offered Near Charleston
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet rich plasma therapy starts with a small sample of your blood. The sample is processed to concentrate platelets and growth factors, and the solution is then injected into the injured area. Because PRP comes from you, the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection is extremely low. PRP is often considered for tendon injuries, chronic tendinitis, ligament sprains, overuse injuries, and joint degeneration.
Concentrated Bone Marrow (BMAC)
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate, often called concentrated bone marrow, uses biological material drawn from your own bone marrow. It is processed to increase the density of healing components and then injected into the affected joint or soft tissue. Concentrated bone marrow may be considered for conditions such as osteoarthritis, cartilage injuries, and tendon problems.
Fat Based Treatment With Lipogems
Lipogems treatment harvests a small amount of your own fat, gently processes it, and delivers it to the area that needs support. The processed fat is meant to cushion and support damaged tissue. The procedure can be completed in less than an hour in an office or surgical setting, and it is one form of microfragmented adipose tissue therapy.
What the Research Says So Far
A broad review of orthobiologics found noticeable short and midterm results, yet noted that differences in study methods make comparisons difficult.1
For knee osteoarthritis, a systematic review of concentrated bone marrow injections found improvements in pain and patient reported outcomes at short to midterm follow up.
A randomized trial comparing a single injection of microfragmented fat with PRP for knee osteoarthritis found that both groups improved for up to two years, with no meaningful difference between them in outcomes or side effects.3 Matching the treatment to your diagnosis matters more than choosing the newest procedure.
Who May Be a Good Candidate in Mount Pleasant and Charleston
Cellular therapy may be worth discussing if you have ongoing joint or tendon pain, such as knee arthritis or tendon injuries, and conservative care has not given lasting relief. It is not right for every condition, and deciding whether you are a candidate starts with a careful exam and a review of your imaging.
When you see us, your care is guided by a board certified orthopedic surgeon with nearly two decades of experience and early, hands on work with regenerative treatments, including concentrated bone marrow used during surgery. In office musculoskeletal ultrasound also allows precise, image guided injections, so treatment is delivered where it is needed.
What to Expect From Treatment
Most PRP visits take less than an hour, and you typically leave the same day. Temporary soreness at the injection site is common, and you may be asked to modify activity for a short period. Improvement, when it happens, tends to come gradually over weeks to months. Concentrated bone marrow and fat based procedures include a harvest step, so you may need to follow specific preparation instructions and arrange a ride home.
It also helps to plan for cost. PRP is considered investigational by many insurance plans and is often not covered, so pricing is discussed with you before treatment is scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cellular therapy for joint pain?
Cellular therapy uses material from your own blood, fat, or bone marrow to support healing in an injured joint or tendon. Common options include PRP, concentrated bone marrow, and Lipogems.
Can you get cellular therapy in Charleston without surgery?
Yes, these procedures are minimally invasive and are performed at our Mount Pleasant office, which serves patients from Charleston and Summerville. Many are completed in a single visit.
Is concentrated bone marrow better than PRP?
Not necessarily, because current studies have not shown concentrated bone marrow to be clearly superior to PRP or fat based options for knee arthritis.2 The right choice depends on your diagnosis and goals.
How long does it take to feel results?
Results vary, and any improvement usually develops gradually over weeks to months. Some people need more than one treatment.
Will your insurance cover cellular therapy?
Often it will not, since many plans consider PRP investigational. Pricing is reviewed with you before anything is scheduled, so there are no surprises.
Taking the Next Step Toward Relief in the Lowcountry
If joint or tendon pain is holding you back, a thoughtful conversation about your options is a good place to begin. Whether you live in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, or Summerville, you can request an appointment at our Mount Pleasant office and leave with a clear plan built around your diagnosis and goals.
References
- Mavrogenis AF, Karampikas V, Zikopoulos A, et al. Orthobiologics: a review. International Orthopaedics. 2023;47(7):1645 to 1662. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37071148/
- Keeling LE, Belk JW, Kraeutler MJ, et al. Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022;50(8):2315 to 2323. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34236913/
- Zaffagnini S, Andriolo L, Boffa A, et al. Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial at 2-Year Follow-up. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2022;50(11):2881 to 2892. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35984721/