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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Cartilage Restoration

Procedures that repair or regrow damaged articular cartilage in the knee, from cell-based restoration to cartilage autograft and allograft transplantation, for focal defects.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Biologic Treatments

Injections of platelet-rich plasma and related preparations from your own blood or tissue to support healing of tendons and joints, as an alternative or complement to surgery.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Regenerative Medicine

Evidence-first evaluation of stem cell-based and other biologic treatments for tendon, ligament, cartilage and joint conditions, with honest guidance on what the research supports.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

MCL Reconstruction

Repair or reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament on the inner side of the knee for severe tears, persistent instability and combined ligament injuries.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

MPFL Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with a tendon graft to stop recurrent kneecap dislocations and restore patellar stability.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Quad and Patellar Tendon Repair

Surgical reattachment of a torn quadriceps or patellar tendon to the kneecap so the knee can straighten and bear weight again.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Knee Osteotomy

Realignment surgery through the tibia or femur, or repositioning of the tibial tubercle, to unload damaged cartilage, correct kneecap tracking and preserve the natural knee.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Multi-Ligament Knee Reconstruction

Repair or reconstruction of two or more torn knee ligaments, including the ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL and posterolateral corner, after high-energy injuries and knee dislocations.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

SLAP Repair

Arthroscopic repair of a superior labral tear where the biceps tendon anchors to the shoulder socket, for deep shoulder pain, clicking and overhead symptoms.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Biceps Tenodesis

Releasing the damaged long head of the biceps tendon from inside the shoulder and anchoring it to the upper arm bone to relieve front-of-shoulder pain while preserving biceps strength.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

AC Joint Surgery

Stabilization or ligament reconstruction of the acromioclavicular joint after a severe shoulder separation, when the collarbone will not stay in place on its own.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Clavicle Fracture Repair

Treatment of collarbone fractures, from sling care to plate-and-screw fixation (ORIF) for displaced, shortened or slow-healing breaks.

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What it is

Biologic Treatments

Platelet-rich plasma concentrates the platelets and growth factors from a sample of your own blood and injects them where tissue is slow to heal.

Other preparations draw cells from bone marrow or fat.The goal is to improve the healing environment in tendons and joints, not to regrow a torn ligament or replace lost cartilage.

At a glance

SettingOffice visit

AnesthesiaLocal numbing only

Visit timeAbout 45 minutes

InsuranceUsually not covered

Performed by

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Michael Carlson, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine

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or call801-640-0000

Biologic Treatments

Who It Helps

Biologics are most useful for chronic tendon problems such as tennis elbow and patellar tendinitis, for mild to moderate knee arthritis, and to augment certain surgical repairs.They are not a cure for advanced arthritis or a substitute for repairing a full tear. Dr. Christensen has co-authored research on biologic interventions and will tell you what the evidence supports for your condition.

Biologic Treatments

What to Expect

An office visit of about forty-five minutes: a blood draw, centrifuge processing, and an ultrasound-guided injection. No anesthesia beyond local numbing.Most biologic injections are not covered by insurance. We quote the cost before scheduling.Platelet-rich plasma is drawn, spun and injected in a single office visit at our Provo or Orem clinic; we quote the cost before you book. Dr. Christensen and Dr. Carlson provide this treatment in clinic, in Provo and Orem.

Biologic Treatments

Recovery Timeline

Soreness for two to five days is expected because the treatment deliberately provokes a healing response.Avoid anti-inflammatory medication for a week. Light activity resumes within days, with improvement typically noticed over four to eight weeks.Some conditions benefit from a series of injections rather than one.

Milestones

Days 1 to 5Expected soreness

Week 1No anti-inflammatories

Week 4 to 8Improvement noticed

SeriesSometimes 2 to 3

Biologic Treatments

Risks and Considerations

Risks are low: pain at the injection site, bruising, and a small infection risk.The main risk is cost without benefit if the condition is not one biologics help.Stem cell-based preparations are a separate conversation, covered under Regenerative Medicine, and we are cautious about claims made elsewhere.

Biologic Treatments

Your Surgeons

Dr. Christensen and Dr. Carlson offer this treatment at the Ridgeline clinics in Provo and Orem.

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Carlson, MD

Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and ankle. Published sports medicine researcher. Fourteen years in practice.

Biologic Treatments

Related Procedures and Conditions

Regenerative Medicine

Cartilage Restoration

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or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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