Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics
OrthoBiologics, also known as regenerative orthopaedics, are biological substances derived from the body that harness natural healing processes to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain in musculoskeletal conditions. These minimally invasive treatments are often used as alternatives or adjuncts to surgery, in combination with physical therapy and pain management, for conditions like osteoarthritis (particularly early-stage), tendinopathies, ligament or tendon injuries, muscle strains, and other forms of musculoskeletal damage or inflammation.
Patients experiencing limited mobility due to arthritis, sports injuries, tendinopathy, or chronic joint pain may benefit from orthobiologics by stimulating the body’s own regenerative potential, often delaying or avoiding surgery while improving function and quality of life. While promising evidence supports their use in reducing symptoms and enhancing healing in many cases, outcomes can vary depending on the patient’s condition and the degree of pathology being treated.
Innovative Treatment
Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics (CSMO) sets the standard for advanced orthopaedic care in Chattanooga and across the Southeast. Our board-certified specialists combine experience, innovation, and precision to deliver leading-edge treatments designed to relieve pain, restore function, and help patients move forward with confidence.
From minimally invasive procedures and interventional pain management to physical and occupational therapy, CSMO offers a full spectrum of care—including advanced orthobiologic treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), and adipose-derived therapies. These regenerative options are thoughtfully integrated into personalized treatment plans to reduce inflammation, support natural healing, and optimize long-term outcomes.
OrthoBiologics are designed to reduce pain and improve your quality of life. Make an appointment with one of our industry-leading physicians today to see if OrthoBiologics is an option for you.
Call (423) 697-8780 or email orthobio@sportmed.com.
Platelet Rich Plasma
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is one of most common orthobiologic treatments used in orthopaedics. It harnesses a patient’s own blood to deliver concentrated platelets rich in growth factors, proteins, and anti-inflammatory agents. These natural proteins bind to cells, spurring growth, healing, and tissue renewal. In the procedure, blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet rich layer, then injected into arthritic joints or damaged musculoskeletal sites to promote repair, ease inflammation and relieve pain.
Adipose-Derived Cell Therapies
Adipose-derived cell therapies use a patient’s own fat tissue—rich in messenger cells, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory elements—to reduce inflammation, promote repair, and relieve pain in arthritic joints and other musculoskeletal conditions. In this minimally invasive procedure, adipose tissue is harvested (often via small liposuction), processed in a specialized device to remove blood and oil while concentrating regenerative cells, and then injected into arthritic joints, damaged musculoskeletal sites, or surgical repairs to support healing, decrease inflammation, and enhance tissue regeneration.
These procedures are some of the newest treatments available today. They offer patients a minimally invasive option to help relieve the pain of arthritis or injury and improve function. Our highly skilled medical doctors use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, including musculoskeletal ultrasound, high-definition on-site MRI, and X-ray to obtain pinpoint accuracy during the procedures.
Bone Marrow Aspirate
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), derived from the soft, spongy tissue inside large bones, is rich in messenger cells, growth factors, anti-inflammatory proteins, and other regenerative elements that can differentiate into various tissues to support healing. In this minimally invasive procedure, a physician uses a needle to aspirate bone marrow fluid from a healthy bone site under local anesthesia, then processes it in a centrifuge to concentrate these potent cells and bioactive components into BMAC. The resulting concentrate is injected into arthritic joints to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain, or applied intraoperatively during surgical repairs to enhance biologic healing and optimize recovery.
What You Should Know Before Getting Stem Cell Therapy
CSMO utilizes OrthoBiologics technology to create living, functional tissues to replace or repair tissue that has been lost due to damage, disease, or hereditary defects. For those struggling with limited mobility due to arthritis, injury, tendinopathy (disease of the tendons), or other forms of musculoskeletal inflammation, patients may be able to experience relief and avoid surgery by harnessing the healing potential of their own cells.
Most of the procedures are completed at one of our Surgical locations. However, the PRPs are done in the clinical setting.
Yes.
For procedures completed at our Surgical centers you will be under a mild anesthetic. PRPs in the office you will be awake, and no anesthetic needed.
No. Commercial insurance companies deem OrthoBiologic procedures as an elective procedure and investigational and therefore do not cover these procedures.
Yes. OrthoBiologic procedures conducted by CSMO are safe. Patient safety is our top priority.
We will set up a consultation with one of our OrthoBiologic physicians who will go through an examination and current X-rays. Our physicians will then provide you with the best treatment options for you.
Yes. It is recommended that you stop taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) 2-3 weeks before and after the procedure. These medications work by blocking the activity of the growth factors in PRP and may decrease its effectiveness. Tylenol, however, works in a different way and may be used before or after the procedure.
4-6 weeks typically
CSMO offers several OrthoBiologic options. Please contact us at (423) 697-8780 to discuss these options and what will fit your individual needs.
Yes. Care Credit provides our patients the option to make monthly payments on any out of pocket expenses. Learn More at CreditCare.com.
Advanced Healing Options
CSMO’s OrthoBiologics program offers a variety of innovative services, including nonsurgical treatment, interventional pain management and rehabilitation. Our highly trained specialists will work with you to determine the best treatment plan options.
To learn more, call (423) 697-8780 or email orthobio@sportmed.com.
Areas Treated with OrthoBiologics
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Hand & Wrist
- Hip
- Elbow
- Spine
Innovative Treatment
The physicians at Center for Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics are highly regarded as leaders in their profession. We offer patients the latest medical procedures and treatments that lead to the best possible outcomes. We are excited to offer our patients these innovative approaches to effectively treating pain and facilitate healing. Call (423) 624-2696 to schedule an appointment today.
OrthoBiologics Physicians
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Andrew Carlone, MD- Direct Anterior Total Hip Replacement
Quad/Muscle-Sparing Total Knee Replacement
Partial Knee Replacement
Complex Primary Hip & Knee Replacement
Benji Miller, MD- Arthroscopic Knee and Shoulder Surgery
Shoulder Replacement Specialist
Hip Arthroscopy
Total Joint Replacement
Sports Medicine
OrthoBiologics
Bradford Mitchell, MD- Sports Medicine
Non-Operative Orthopaedics
Gunbarrel Urgent + Ortho Walk-In Clinic Director
Brett Sanders, MD- Arthroscopic Knee and Shoulder Surgery
Sports Medicine
Shoulder Replacement Specialist
OrthoBiologics
Chad Smalley, MD- Arthroscopic Knee and Shoulder Surgery
Sports Medicine
Shoulder Replacement Specialist
OrthoBiologics
Jason Robertson, MD- Non-Operative Specialist
McCallie Urgent + Ortho Walk-In Clinic Director
Jason Rogers, MD- Total Hip & Knee Replacement and Revision
Robotic Knee Replacement
Partial Knee Replacement
Direct Anterior Hip Replacement
Direct Anterior with "Bikini" Incision Hip Replacement
Lower Extremity Orthopaedic Trauma
Quad-Sparing Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement
Jason Spangler, DO- Arthroscopic Surgery
Shoulder and Knee Arthroscopy
Total Joint Replacement
Sports Medicine
Jason Wamack, DPM, FACFAS- Foot & Ankle Surgery
Total Ankle Replacement
L. Shay Richardson, MD- General Sports Medicine
Interventional Musculoskeletal Medicine
Todd Bell, MD- Sports Medicine
Arthroscopic Surgery
Todd Grebner, DO- General Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine
Arthroscopic Surgery
Total Joint Replacement
Hand Surgery“I have been utilizing the medical staff at Sports Medicine for several years due to my pain from osteoarthritis. I have been happy with the professionalism from each medical doctor and staff associated with them. After having numerous injections and then meniscus repair on both knees I was approaching the thought of partial knee replacement. Having the option to use stem cell injection was very exciting to me since I felt it was an alternative step before surgical replacement. I was completely satisfied with the care from Dr. Smalley and his staff from the time of getting the injections at the surgical center through the 2 months of follow up. I would recommend the procedure to anyone who wants to utilize alternative options for pain.” – Theresa Averbeck