By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Regen Experts powered by Pain Experts Avoid Back Surgery Dallas: When a More Strategic Evaluation Changes the Decision Being told you need back surgery can feel like a final answer. An MRI shows a disc bulge, degeneration, or stenosis—and the path forward appears defined. But high-level decisions—especially irreversible ones—deserve a more complete view. The spine is not a single structure. It is a dynamic system of discs, joints, ligaments, and s

Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano The Problem: Why Many Patients Struggle to Avoid Surgery As a specialist, I routinely evaluate patients who have already consulted highly skilled and respected surgeons. These physicians do extraordinary work, and I continue to refer to them when surgery is appropriate. However, many patients seeking to avoid surgery arrive after consultations constrained by time which is an unavoidable reality of insurance-driven medicine

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano Recently, a patient shared that during his MRI, a radiology technologist told him, “PRP really doesn’t work for most people.” The statement wasn’t malicious but it was incomplete. And for patients trying to make informed decisions, incomplete information is often the most damaging kind.  “PRP Doesn’t Work” A Misinterpretation of Technique, Not Science When you hear that PRP is unreliable, the issue is almost never the

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano Orthobiologic Myth #7: “Older Adults Don’t Respond to PRP” There’s a persistent myth that once you cross a certain age, regenerative medicine is off the table. That your platelets are “too old” or your body no longer knows how to repair itself. That simply isn’t true. It’s accurate that platelet viability and stem-cell activity gradually decline with age, and that certain medications (like platelet inhibitors or anti-in

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano  “PRP is just spinning blood and injecting it.” A colleague of mine once called and asked how much blood I draw for a PRP knee procedure.I was honestly flabbergasted—because that question misses the entire point. That’s like asking, “How much anesthesia do you give?” Any experienced physician knows the answer depends on the patient, the pathology, and the plan. When a patient comes in with knee pain, I don’t simply inje

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano The Umbilical Stem Cell Myth: What the FDA Really Says The Myth: You’ve probably heard it. “Umbilical stem cells are the most powerful, youthful cells you can get. Why use your own when you can have younger ones?” It’s a seductive story, especially in an era obsessed with quick rejuvenation. Clinics across the country promote umbilical, placental, and amniotic products as if they were a medical revolution already blesse

And that’s the problem. Because to “feel” your way into a joint, you often have to touch bone — or even hit it — to know you’re deep...

By Deborah Westergaard, MD | Pain Experts | Dallas–Plano When Should I Worry About Back Pain—And Is Surgery the Only Answer? Back pain is...

And every morning: 8 miles. But here’s the problem no one is telling her — and no one is telling him , either (and many of our gentlemen...

But here’s what most people aren’t told: Those same small nerves don’t just carry pain signals. They also provide input to critical...

Can AI Help Your Joints Heal Smarter? Episode 3 Just Dropped We’ve officially entered the part of the story where a multi-agent AI named Robin scans literature, formulates hypotheses, and identifies new uses for existing drugs—all without a single late-night espresso. In this third episode of The Clinical Singularity , I discuss how "Robin," a multi-agent AI, helped uncover a potential treatment for macular degeneration—and why this matters for regenerative medicine, especial

By Deborah Westergaard, MD Pain Experts The Problem: Will Robots Replace Interventional Physicians? Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed many areas of medicine, from assisting surgeons in operating rooms to analyzing complex diagnostic imaging. Recent reports even showcase robots performing precise surgical tasks, like needle manipulation and suturing, with skill comparable to human doctors. While we don’t yet have robots performing intervent

Deborah Westergaard, MD Pain Experts While Cindy may need hip replacement surgery at some point in her future, for now, she’s enjoying the ability to stay active and with better pain control without invasive procedures. Disclaimer This video is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as specific medical advice.  The testimonials featured on this website reflect the personal experiences of Regenexx patients. However, these accounts are not necessari

Join Dr. Deborah Westergaard at Pain Experts as we harness the power of orthobiologics to revolutionize back and joint pain treatment....