Alpha-2-Macroglobulin Treatment
What is an Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) Injection?
A new biological treatment in the field of regenerative medicine known as Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M). It can inhibit inflammatory cytokines, and thus disrupt inflammatory cascades.
Scientific evidence points to A2M to be the key to stopping osteoarthritis at the molecular level. A2M is a Board Spectrum Multi-Purpose Protease Inhibitor (a powerful chemical in destroying proteins that cause arthritis) that captures and inactivates the three major chemicals that lead to joint breakdown and cartilage damage. Once these bad chemicals are trapped by A2M, the body can quickly eliminate them.
Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) injections are a cutting-edge new treatment for osteoarthritis and other painful orthopedic conditions. A2M is a human plasma protein molecule that occurs naturally in your bloodstream and when ejected into the osteoarthritic or painful area, begins to promote healing.
Arthritic joints make several chemicals that destroy the cartilage, which is the essence of osteoarthritis. These chemicals, called catabolic proteases, work by degrading cartilage and damaging your joint breaking down the cells. A2M, found naturally in the blood, binds (captures) these “bad” chemicals produced in the knee and their degenerative effects.
How does A2M therapy work?
An A2M injection deposits a rich supply of A2M protein directly into the injured area. The injected protein molecules quickly get to work, protease binding and removing destructive enzymes from your joint tissue.
At your appointment, you blood will be drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate it into red and yellow plasma. The yellow plasma, concentrated 6x with A2M protein molecules, will be re-injected into your joint.
The procedure is minimally-invasive, and not painful. Most patients tell us they feel an improvement in symptoms and mobility on the very same day. The anti-inflammatory effects may last for several months, depending on your circumstances.
Early, regular treatments can relieve pain, promote tissue growth, and slow or stop the progression of joint degeneration. It can even prevent or limit the onset of post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
Who is a good candidate for A2M injection?
A2M is a safe effective treatment for many joint pain conditions including:
- Osteoarthritis (knee and hip arthritis)
- Joint Injuries (shoulder, knee, elbow, rotator cuff)
- Labral Tear
- Torn Meniscus
- Spinal Injury (neck, back)
- Limbar and sacral osteoarthritis
- Sciatica (lumbar radiculopathy)
- Herniated disc (slipped disc, disc displacement)
- Degenerative disc disease
What is Bone Marrow Aspirate?
Bone Marrow Aspirate (BMA) can be directly obtained from bones such as the iliac crest (hip). Bone marrow houses stem cells which can form new cells as bone, cartilage, and muscle to accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. Cells from bone marrow:
- Initiate connective tissue healing
- Regenerate and repair bone, tendon, and ligament
- Promote development of new blood vessels
- Stimulate the wound healing process
What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), is a non-surgical regenerative treatment for bones and soft tissue healing.
PRP is developed by drawing blood and simultaneously harvesting a concentrated amount of platelets and a small volume of plasma, which is then injected into the damaged structures where regeneration of bone and soft tissue healing begins.