Interspinous ligaments are located between each vertebra to connect each vertebra to the other. Ligaments are made of fibrous tissue and connect bones to other bones. When an injury occurs to the interspinous ligament, healing can take from weeks to months due to limited blood supply. Whiplash is one such injury that is caused by straining the interspinous ligaments. This occurs when the neck is suddenly jerked back and forth. Whenever these ligaments are injured, this can affect the stability of the spine as well as movement. Proper diagnosis of interspinous ligament damage is important to rule out fractures or other more serious conditions. Diagnosing this type of injury usually requires x-rays and CT or MRI scans. Individuals who suffer with these ligament injuries often experience pain and tenderness at the location where the ligament is damaged as well as limited movement. Treatment involves reducing the inflammation of the ligament and if torn, providing medications, usually injectables into the injury site for assistance in healing.
The Institute of Regenerative and Molecular Orthopedics is using molecular and regenerative medicine in a new and innovative manner to treat such conditions as interspinous ligament injuries. Because this type of injury normally takes a long period to completely heal, this new and cutting edge treatment provides faster healing while reducing the pain, swelling and inflammation.
This new molecular and regenerative medicine is done with the use of stem cell treatment or platelet rich plasma treatment. By using the patient’s own stem cells or platelet rich plasma, the injured ligament is nourished with essential nutrients, bioactive proteins, growth factors and other important proteins to promote faster healing by repairing the tissue and promoting regeneration at an accelerated rate. These types of treatment are especially effective for injury sites that have poor blood supply, such as interspinous ligaments.
Stem cell treatment consists of taking a specimen of bone marrow from the pelvis. The procedure is normally painless as anesthesia is provided. The specimen is then placed in a machine that spins and separates the stem cells from the other substances. It is then placed into a syringe and injected into the injured ligament. This type of treatment is normally only used for severe injuries. Less severe injuries are usually treated with platelet rich plasma injections. The specimen is collected from a blood sample of the patient’s and placed in the machine that spins and separates platelets from other blood fluids. This is then placed in a syringe and injected into the injury. Both treatments are very effective at reducing pain and speeding up the healing process. Normally only one treatment is needed for effective results.