The UCSF Orthobiologics Program specializes in cutting-edge treatments designed to enhance your body's natural healing processes. Orthobiologic therapies use substances from the human body or other living organisms to support the repair of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. These treatments can significantly reduce pain, improve function, and delay or even eliminate the need for surgery. Our program also runs clinical trials to investigate novel orthobiologic therapies.
Conditions that may benefit from orthobiologic therapies include:
- Arthritis and other causes of joint pain
- Ligament and cartilage injuries, including those of the hips, knees and shoulders
- Muscle injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Sports injuries
- Tendinopathies (painful conditions involving tendons)
Our services
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to collect the platelets, and then injecting this concentrate into the injured area. Platelets are rich in growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and regeneration. PRP can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Ligament sprains
- Muscle strains
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendinitis and tendinosis
PRP has been shown to reduce pain and improve function, making it a popular choice among athletes and other active individuals seeking nonsurgical solutions.
Tenex procedure
While not classified as an orthobiologic treatment, Tenex is a minimally invasive procedure to remove damaged tissue and stimulate healing in certain chronic injuries. Using ultrasound (sound wave technology), the damaged tissue is precisely targeted, broken up and removed without affecting surrounding healthy tissues. The procedure is commonly used for:
- Chronic tendinitis
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
- Plantar fasciitis
Patients who undergo Tenex recover quickly and report minimal discomfort. Many experience long-term pain relief and restored function.
