Regenerative orthopedics in Portland.
Skip the surgery.
Regenerative orthopedics uses precise, image-guided injections — PRP, prolotherapy, and biocellular treatments — to help joints, tendons, and ligaments heal, so active Portlanders can get back to skiing, running, and pickleball without going under the knife.
What is regenerative orthopedics?
Traditional orthopedics gives you three options: rest it, mask it with cortisone, or operate. Regenerative orthopedics adds a fourth — stimulate the tissue to heal.
Using ultrasound guidance, a physician injects concentrated platelets, dextrose, or your own cells directly into the damaged structure: an arthritic knee, a partially torn rotator cuff, a stubborn tennis elbow. The goal isn't to numb pain — it's to trigger a healing response in tissue that stopped repairing on its own.
It's a strong fit for injuries that live in the gap between "too serious to ignore" and "not bad enough for surgery" — the exact zone where most weekend athletes over 40 spend their time.
In Portland, this is the specialty of the regenerative orthopedics team at NW Regen in Portland, who treat everything from ski-season knees to pickleball elbows with image-guided injection protocols.
Injuries & joints treated
Knees
Osteoarthritis, meniscus wear, patellar tendinopathy, post-ski-season pain.
Shoulders
Rotator cuff tears and tendinopathy, labral wear, AC joint pain.
Elbows
Tennis and golfer's elbow that has outlasted braces and rest.
Hips
Early arthritis, gluteal tendinopathy, labral irritation.
Ankles & feet
Chronic sprains, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis.
Spine & SI joint
Facet and sacroiliac pain with a ligament component.
Wrists & hands
Carpal instability, thumb arthritis, overuse injuries.
Whole-athlete plans
Multi-joint programs built around your sport and season.
How treatment works
1. Diagnose precisely
Exam plus ultrasound (and MRI when needed) to find the actual pain generator — not just the noisy joint.
2. Match the treatment
PRP for tendons and arthritic joints, prolotherapy for loose ligaments, biocellular therapy for bigger structural problems.
3. Inject under guidance
Every injection is placed with live imaging — accuracy is most of the game.
4. Rebuild
A progressive return-to-sport plan, often alongside physical therapy, so the repaired tissue gets strong instead of just quiet.
FAQ
Will this let me avoid surgery?
Sometimes. Many tendon injuries and early-to-moderate arthritis respond well to regenerative treatment; full-thickness tears and end-stage joints may still need an operation. A good evaluation tells you which side of the line you're on.
How long until I'm back in the game?
Most people resume light activity within days and return to sport over several weeks as the tissue rebuilds. It's a healing response, not a painkiller — the timeline reflects that.
Is it safe? What are the side effects?
PRP, prolotherapy, and fat-derived treatments are minimally invasive and generally considered safe, and most side effects are mild and temporary: discomfort and swelling, sometimes a temporary increase in pain, bruising or soreness at the injection site. A fat-derived treatment involves a liposuction step, which carries a slightly greater chance of infection or bruising. Compared with surgery there is minimal downtime and a lower risk of complications. Some history — chronic illness, an acute infection, blood-based diseases, blood thinners that affect clotting, cancer not in remission for five years or more — should be discussed with the treating clinician or your primary care physician first.
Does insurance cover it?
Usually not — most regenerative injections are cash-pay. Clinics will quote pricing at consultation, and it's fair to weigh that against the cost and downtime of surgery.
Who does this in Portland?
NW Regen's regenerative orthopedics program in Portland runs ultrasound-guided PRP, prolotherapy, and biocellular treatments.
From the library
February 23, 2026
Got Hurt Skiing or Snowboarding?
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January 12, 2026
Healing from Injury or Chronic Pain Requires a Calmer Nervous System
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September 1, 2025
Need to Prep for Ski Season But Too Sore From Summer? Learn How Regenerative Injections Can Help
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June 17, 2022
What is Interventional Orthopedic and Orthobiologic Medicine
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Book an evaluation with a Portland regenerative orthopedics team and find out what your joint actually needs — surgery, injections, or just a smarter rehab plan.
See regenerative orthopedics at NW Regen