a2m arthritis

Alpha 2 Macroglobulin Injections – A2M: A New Treatment for Arthritis

Scott Brandt, M.D. Knee Replacement Alternative, Other, Stem Cell Therapy

ThriveMD is proud to announce the newest biologic treatment in our regenerative armament for the management of arthritic and degenerative conditions. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common health problems we face today, with nearly 30 million Americans suffering with this disease.

Alpha 2 macroglobulin, or A2M injection therapy, uses proven scientific techniques and natural healing methods to successfully treat osteoarthritis at its source. It is used to prevent cartilage breakdown in patients, promote tissue growth and support the overall restoration of an affected joint.

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Contact our Vail or Denver office to find out if you could be a candidate for stem cell therapy.

What Science Tells Us about A2M for Arthritis

Evidence points to A2M to be the key to stopping osteoarthtitis at the molecular level.
Scientific evidence points to A2M to be the key to stopping osteoarhtritis at the molecular level. A2M is a Broad Spectrum Multi-Purpose Protease Inhibitor (powerful chemical in destroying proteins that cause arthritis) that captures and inactivates the three major chemicals that lead to joint breakdown and cartilage damage. Once these bad chemicals are trapped by A2M, the body can then quickly eliminate them.

Brown University & the National Institute of Health: A2M for Cartilage Regeneration

A significant research study out of Brown University, in collaboration with the National Institute of Health, demonstrated that although the concentration of A2M in the joint is insufficient for joint protection, a joint injection of concentrated A2M provides cartilage protection in post-traumatic OA by stopping the progression of arthritis.

Not all joints respond to A2M but there is an excellent test to identify joints that will likely do well with an A2M treatment. This test is called fibronectin-aggrecan G3 complex test (FAC). It specifically identifies significant levels of the very specific protein which is highly diagnostic for arthritis.

Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M) uses the most advanced science to not only stop osteoarthritis at its source, but also protect you from a protein complex that causes your joints to ache.Gaetano Scuderi, M.D.
Dr. Scuderi on A2M for osteoarthritis
This post was created in collaboration with Scott Brandt, M.D., the medical director of ThriveMD, and Gaetano Scuderi, M.D., the founder and president of Cytonics Corporation.

Inhibiting Cartilage Breakdown with A2M

The novel A2M treatment is used to relieve pain, hinder or prevent the collapse and loss of joint height, as well as promote tissue growth and support overall joint restoration.Gaetano Scuderi, M.D.

The results of this milestone research study suggests that therapeutic injection of concentrated A2M may inhibit the breakdown of cartilage and shut down the destructive inflammatory proteins in the joint. Additionally, it is noted that early intervention may be critical for preventing or minimizing the development of post-traumatic Osteoarthritis (OA). An injection of A2M during the acute phase of an injury is proving to be a powerful tool in preventing progressive arthritis in the affected joints.

This can be especially powerful in preventing arthritis which often occurs after an ACL repair. In addition, there is data suggesting that there is also a regenerative component to A2M which can further help the joint, spinal disc or soft tissue recover.

All along, while you have been experiencing pain from an injury, or just normal wear and tear, you have been carrying around the cure! The A2M protein is made in your liver. Using special binding sites, it will bind and trap bad enzymes that are destroying your cartilage. Once each of A2M’s binding sites is occupied, the A2M and the disabled enzymes are removed by your body naturally. This is called suicide inhibition.

Providing A2M to Patients with Joint and Back Pain

Due to its large size, A2M cannot make it in to the joint in high enough concentrations in certain circumstances, which may lead to chronic pain, and collapse of the joint. A new technology allows doctors to use a highly concentrated injection of A2M into your joint to absorb the enzymes trying to digest cartilage.

It is important to note that A2M is not a platelet product, A2M circulates in the plasma portion of your blood. Be wary of claims that all PRP has A2M in it. Though your blood has some A2M, concentrated A2M can only be accomplished by a special concentrator. A simple water filter (called hemoconcentrator) will also not do the trick.

At ThriveMD, we have one of very few Alpha 2 Macroglobulin concentrators (pictured below) currently in use in the country. By collecting approximately 100cc’s of the patient’s blood and processing it through a multi-phase centrifugation and filtration system, a concentrated volume of A2M can be collected. This special, patented system selectively super concentrates A2M. The A2M produced by the concentrator can then be used for treatment inside of joints, degenerative discs, and into damaged soft tissues and areas of inflammation.

A2M centrifuge machine
A2M is becoming an integral part of our regenerative therapies as part of a complete biologics program for the restoration of joints, prevention of arthritis and the treatment of low back pain.

A2M is becoming an integral part of our regenerative treatments and a complete biologics program for the restoration of joints, prevention of knee and other joint arthritis and the treatment of low back pain. In addition to A2M treatments for osteoarthritis, we are using A2M injections as an adjunct to stem cell injections in order to optimize the environment and maximize the potential of stem cell therapy.

*Individual patient results may vary. Contact us today to find out if A2M may be able to help you.

Next Step

If you believe you or someone you care about could be a candidate for A2M treatment, please contact us today.