The knee joint is a synovial hinge joint and is prone to injury among athletes and active individuals. Knee pain is one of the most common issues we see. Click on the link to learn more about knee pain symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

The hip joint is a ball and socket joint supported by a capsule, ligaments and very large muscles. Hip pain is a common complaint that can be caused by a wide variety of problems. The precise location of your hip pain can provide valuable clues about the underlying cause. Click on the link to learn more about hip pain symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

The shoulder joint is sophisticated with an interplay of many structures giving it the ability to have a circumferential range of motion. Shoulder pain and dysfunction is a common complaint that we can treat effectively. Click on the link to learn more about shoulder pain symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Back pain is one of the most common conditions in New Zealand and causes a poor quality of life for those who suffer from it. Click on the link to learn more about back pain causes, diagnosis and treatment.

Click on the link to read about platelet-rich plasma injections

Click on the link to read about prolotherapy

Otherwise known as degenerative arthritis. OA occurs when there is a breakdown of the cartilage, leaving the bones unprotected. It is very common and usually affects people as they get older. You can get it at any age and are more likely to if you have previously injured a joint, or are overweight. The symptoms can be very mild with just occasional pain with activity. Worsening symptoms include pain with activity and stiffness with rest. Joints can become swollen and restricted in movement. Joints can change shape as the bone changes in response to loss of protection. You otherwise feel well. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the history, examination findings and sometimes x-rays. The severity of joint damage seen on x-ray does not always correlate with the degree of pain you experience. Treatment includes guided exercises, weight reduction if needed, pain relief and sometimes surgery. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz

This is a syndrome of widespread aches, pains and fatigue. There may be morning stiffness and sleep problems. The diagnosis is made on the history of the pain and accompanying symptoms as well as the presence of tender points at specific sites on the body. There are a number of different theories and reasons for this condition. There will often be blood tests and maybe x-rays to exclude other diagnoses. Treatment involves pain killers, exercises, rest and sometimes antidepressant medication. For more information see www.arthritis.org.nz

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist that causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand.

Most headaches are not due to significant underlying problems but you may be referred if your GP is worried about the nature of your headaches or you are having difficulty controlling them with standard treatment. Migraine headaches are repeated or recurrent headaches, often accompanied by other symptoms. They can be triggered by certain factors/events/foods. In some people, a visual disturbance called an aura happens before the headache starts. Other symptoms that may precede or accompany the headache include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, increased sweating, irritability, fatigue and intolerance of light or noise. The headache may last several hours to days. There is no cure for migraine headaches but treatment is aimed at: preventing migraines from occurring, stopping the migraine once early symptoms develop, and treating the symptoms of migraine (e.g. pain, nausea). For more information about migraines and headache visit https://migrainefoundation.org.nz/about-migraine/

Steroid injections are used to treat joints and tendons that are inflamed and sore. The steroid - also known as cortisone - is a powerful anti inflammatory and pain killer. They used to be done by feel, but now most steroid injections are done with ultrasound to guide the injection so that we can be sure it has gone into the correct place and avoid the wrong place! We will provide you with more information when you come for your appointment.

PURE EXPANDED STEM CELL THERAPY Every one of us is a collection of over 30 trillion cells. Every one of these cells comes from a single pluripotent type of cell called a stem cell. Stem cells have already changed medicine forever and while they have the ability to extend our lives now they will undoubtedly be saving lives in the near future. The inherent intelligence of stem cells means they have the ability to differentiate into any other type of cell in the body. While working with ReGen Cellular we are carefully harnessing that intelligence to heal soft tissue such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments, that have been eroded or been depleted through the course of our lives. Science has shown these cells can be woken up by the reintroduction of new healing Mesenchymal Stem Cells. These Mesenchymal Stem Cells release cytokines which are signalling molecules that prime the cells for repair and rejuvenation. In conjugation with ReGen Cellular, we use proprietary protocols to offer a treatment with the largest concentration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Mesenchymal Stem Cells are purified and expanded from patients own fat tissue to hundreds of millions of cells before injection. These Mesenchymal Stem Cells, when mixed with the patient’s own Platelet Rich Plasma, give the body the best chance of repairing damaged cartilage and torn ligaments and tendons and reducing inflammation. THE EXPANDED STEM CELL PROCESS Consultation We review all medical files, medical history to ascertain suitability and likely success of treatment. Not all patients are suitable candidates for expanded stem cell therapy, and we only treat patients we know have a likely chance of success. To determine what precisely is causing your pain, we will perform a complete physical examination to understand your lifestyle and what may have triggered the pain. We’ll assess overall biomechanics along with the entire knee to access for pain, swelling, range of motion, stability/laxity, and functional capacity. Although our physical examination will give us an idea of what’s causing your pain, we’ll often want to confirm our diagnosis with an imaging test. In many cases, this may be a hands-on diagnostic ultrasound to create a live image of your knee to accurately evaluate the soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, and meniscus and to look for joint swelling/bursitis. If a more extensive injury is present involving bone, cartilage or meniscus is suspected, we may promptly obtain MRI. Harvesting the Stem Cells Expanded Stem Cell Therapy is based on a solution that is 95% pure Mesenchymal Stem Cells derived from a patient’s own fatty tissue which is a storehouse of these cells. We only offer treatment using a patient’s own adult stem cells. A minor liposuction procedure done under local anaesthetic is carried out to extract 50 grams or two tablespoons of fat. This procedure takes around an hour. Expanding the Stem Cells Unlike same-day procedures that only gives a yield of few hundreds of thousands, Expanded Stem Cell is 100-1000 times more than other methods of performing stem cell therapy. Expanded Stem Cell Therapy is not a same-day procedure. After extraction, growing or multiplying the cells in our laboratory under strict protocols takes up to 8 weeks. The resulting sample is 95% pure Mesenchymal Stem Cells with a yield of between 100 million and 200 million cells. A mesenchymal stem cell has the ability to: Reduce inflammation Reduce cell death (Apoptosis) Self-replicate Alter the immune response in the arthritic joint and shift it toward healing Cryo-frozen Stem Cells for Future Use The expanded stem cells are then carefully cryogenically frozen and stored until your procedure. We produce more stem cells than are needed as this gives our clients the bonus of storing their stem cells for later use. The additional stem cells can be cryogenically frozen for up to 20 years and used for other damaged joints or tendons in the future. The advantage of this is that no further fat has to be extracted and “younger” stem cells have a greater ability to affect healing later in life. Clients often request further expansions of their cells so they can treat other areas of degeneration. The Injection Procedure After informed consent, we take blood from you to create Platelet Rich Plasma. This takes around 15 minutes. Platelets are blood components that are attracted to wound sites where they release cytokines to stimulate the healing and regeneration process. The Platelet Rich Plasma is then mixed with the Mesenchymal Stem Cell serum to protect the cells as well as conditioning them to be more effective at the injury site. Under precise ultrasound guidance, Platelet Rich Plasma/ Mesenchymal Stem Cell solution is injected. Patients are given a prescription for pain relief but are able to leave immediately. Follow up and Rehabilitation Program A follow up with Dr Matti after 2-6 weeks will be organised. Our focus is utilising our treatments and rehabilitation programs towards healing the root cause of your injury or condition without the need for surgery. We don’t believe in a quick fix, one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we treat all the structures involved in your condition and enjoy working with our patients to achieve the best outcomes to help them return to normal function and a healthier lifestyle as quickly as possible. More Info ReGen Cellular Dr. Zaid Matti MSKDOC

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy? Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative medical treatment used to support the healing of injured or degenerated musculoskeletal tissues such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. PRP is created by taking a small sample of your own blood and processing it in a specialised centrifuge to concentrate platelets and growth factors. These biological components play an important role in tissue repair and inflammation modulation. The prepared PRP is then injected directly into the affected area using ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement within the injured tissue. What Conditions Can PRP Injections Treat? PRP injections may be considered in the management of: Tendon injuries (e.g. rotator cuff, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy) Ligament sprains and chronic instability Early to moderate osteoarthritis Chronic joint pain Muscle injuries Plantar fasciitis Patellar tendinopathy Hip and knee pain Selected spinal or sacroiliac joint conditions PRP therapy is commonly used when symptoms have not improved with standard conservative treatments such as physiotherapy or medication.

Ultrasound-guided joint injections are commonly used to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain affecting joints such as the shoulder, hip, knee, and sacroiliac joint. Using real-time musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging allows accurate visualisation of anatomical structures, ensuring that medication is delivered directly into the intended joint space or surrounding soft tissues. Conditions Commonly Treated Shoulder impingement or arthritis Hip joint pain or osteoarthritis Knee osteoarthritis Sacroiliac joint dysfunction Inflammatory joint conditions Joint effusion or synovitis Benefits of Ultrasound Guidance Image guidance may: Improve procedural accuracy Reduce the risk of damage to surrounding structures Assist in confirming the pain source Enhance targeted treatment delivery Joint injections may include corticosteroid, local anaesthetic, hyaluronic acid, or biologic therapies such as PRP where clinically appropriate.

What Causes Sciatica? Sciatica refers to pain radiating from the lower back into the buttock and leg, commonly caused by irritation or compression of spinal nerve roots. This may occur due to: Disc bulge or herniation Degenerative spinal changes Foraminal narrowing Facet joint pathology What Are Nerve Root Injections? Image-guided nerve root or epidural injections are used to reduce inflammation around irritated spinal nerves. These procedures may assist in: Confirming the source of pain Reducing nerve-related inflammation Supporting rehabilitation and recovery Injections are performed under imaging guidance to ensure accurate delivery.

What is the Sacroiliac Joint? The sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis and plays an important role in load transfer during walking and standing. SI joint dysfunction may cause: Lower back pain Buttock pain Pelvic discomfort Referred leg symptoms How Can SIJ Injections Help? Image-guided sacroiliac joint injections may: Assist in diagnosing SI joint pain Reduce inflammation Improve mobility Support physiotherapy-based rehabilitation

What is Frozen Shoulder? Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) is a condition characterised by: Progressive shoulder stiffness Pain with movement Reduced range of motion What is Hydrodilatation? Hydrodilatation involves injecting fluid into the shoulder joint under ultrasound guidance to gently stretch the joint capsule. This procedure may: Improve joint mobility Reduce pain Support rehabilitation Assist in restoring function

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs due to compression of the median nerve at the wrist and may cause: Numbness or tingling in the hand Weakness Night pain Reduced grip strength Injection Therapy Ultrasound-guided injections may be used to: Reduce nerve inflammation Improve symptoms Assist with diagnosis Treatment options may include corticosteroid or PRP therapy depending on clinical assessment.

What is Plantar Fasciitis? Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain related to irritation of the plantar fascia. Symptoms may include: Heel pain on first steps in the morning Pain with prolonged standing Localised tenderness Injection Therapy Image-guided injections may assist in: Reducing inflammation Supporting tissue healing Improving pain and function

What Causes Hip Joint Pain? Hip pain may arise from: Osteoarthritis Labral injury Tendinopathy Bursitis Treatment Options Image-guided hip injections may include: Corticosteroid Hyaluronic acid PRP therapy

Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of: Joint pain Stiffness Reduced mobility Injection-Based Treatment Injection therapy may assist in: Reducing pain Improving function Supporting rehabilitation Options may include corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, or PRP depending on clinical findings.

What is Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy? Rotator cuff tendinopathy is a common cause of shoulder pain related to degeneration or irritation of the tendons that stabilise the shoulder joint. Symptoms may include: Pain when lifting the arm Shoulder weakness Night pain Reduced range of motion Treatment Options Ultrasound-guided injection therapy may assist in: Reducing inflammation Supporting tendon healing Improving pain and shoulder function Injection options may include corticosteroid or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) depending on clinical findings.

What is Achilles Tendinopathy? Achilles tendinopathy is a degenerative condition affecting the Achilles tendon and may cause: Heel or ankle pain Stiffness during walking or running Swelling or tenderness Injection Therapy PRP injections may be considered in cases where symptoms persist despite rehabilitation. Image-guided injection may: Support tissue repair Improve pain Facilitate return to activity

What is Tennis Elbow? Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) involves degeneration of the tendon at the outside of the elbow. Common symptoms include: Pain with gripping Elbow tenderness Weakness in the forearm Treatment Options Image-guided injections may assist in: Reducing pain Supporting tendon healing Improving strength and function Treatment may include corticosteroid or PRP therapy where clinically appropriate.

What is Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome? GTPS is a common cause of lateral hip pain related to gluteal tendon pathology or bursitis. Symptoms may include: Pain over the outside of the hip Pain when lying on the affected side Discomfort during walking or climbing stairs Injection Therapy Ultrasound-guided injections may assist in: Reducing inflammation Supporting tendon recovery Improving mobility

What is Patellar Tendinopathy? Patellar tendinopathy is a common overuse injury affecting the tendon below the kneecap. Symptoms may include: Pain during activity Localised tenderness Reduced knee function Injection Therapy Image-guided PRP injections may assist in: Supporting tendon healing Improving pain Facilitating rehabilitation