The following table compares the efficacy, cost, time commitment, and challenges of different medical approaches for treating musculoskeletal injuries. Note that in all cases, AltPoint provided either Equivalent or Superior results to all other modalities.
Treatment | Efficacy | Cost | Time Commitment | Challenges/Limitations |
AltPoint Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis (PNE) | High efficacy in treating tendon, muscle, bone, ligament, labrum, and muscle injuries. Studies show pain reduction and tissue healing in 4-8 weeks. Ultrasound imaging confirms structural healing. | $1,250 per injection, need 1-2 | Typically 1-2 sessions with a 6-8 week follow-up. Healing within 6-8 weeks. PNE has shown rapid recovery times in sports injuries (return to play within 20 days for acute muscle injuries) | Initial discomfort and inflammation; avoidance of NSAIDs recommended. |
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) | Shown to accelerate healing in tendons, ligaments, cartilage, muscles, and joints, particularly in early-stage osteoarthritis and tendinopathy. | $1,500 to $2,000 per injection, up to $6,000 total | Requires about 2-3 injections spaced 2-4 weeks apart. Complete healing can take 6-12 weeks. | High level of efficacy only if done with consistent preparation methods and proper platelet concentrations. Mild pain and inflammation at the injection site. Not effective for labral tears. |
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) | Effective at treating tendons, bone, ligaments, labrum, cartilage, and muscle. Stimulates new cartilage growth to reverse some of the effects of arthritis. | $10,000 to $15,000 per injection | Requires 1 injection with gradual improvement over 3-4 months. | Invasive procedure (bone marrow extraction) with more discomfort afterwards as compared to PNE, Shockwave, or PRP. |
Orthopedic Surgery | Effective for severe injuries and structural damage such as ligament tears and advanced arthritis. | $50,000 to $100,000 | Time-intensive: surgery, followed by at least 4-6 months of rehabilitation. | Invasive, higher complication risk, and long recovery. Requires anesthesia, hospitalization, and substantial postoperative rehab. |
Reference 1-25 | Reference 26-50 |
1. Estévez-Rodríguez et al. (2020). Ultrasound-Guided PNE. | 26. Cassano et al. (2017). Bone Marrow-Derived MSCs for OA. |
2. Martínez-Silvan et al. (2022). Clinical Use of PNE. | 27. Beitzel et al. (2015). BMAC in Sports Medicine. |
3. Abat et al. (2014). PNE for Patellar Tendinopathy. | 28. Centeno et al. (2020). Long-Term Efficacy of BMAC. |
4. Arias-Buría et al. (2015). Efficacy of PNE in Rotator Cuff. | 29. Oliver et al. (2021). Comparison of PRP and BMAC. |
5. Valera et al. (2010). Case Series on PNE for Tendinopathies. | 30. Hernigou et al. (2018). BMAC and MSCs in Orthopedic Apps. |
6. Costantino et al. (2018). PNE in Soft Tissue Injuries. | 31. Kim et al. (2018). Surgical Techniques for Cartilage. |
7. Moreno et al. (2019). PNE in Tendon Healing. | 32. Piuzzi et al. (2020). Surgical Outcomes in Osteoarthritis. |
8. Giannini et al. (2021). PNE for Tendon Pathologies. | 33. Shapiro et al. (2019). Surgical Management of Tendon Injuries. |
9. Abat et al. (2015). PNE for Muscle Injuries. | 34. Hernigou et al. (2017). Knee Surgery for Tendon Tears. |
10. López et al. (2020). Ultrasound-Guided PNE in Sports Injuries. | 35. Giannini et al. (2016). Surgical Interventions for MSK Injuries. |
11. Wainberg, M. et al. (2022). Shockwave Therapy for MSK Disorders | 36. Cassano et al. (2017). Surgical Options for Chronic Injuries. |
12. Rodríguez-Damiani, B.A. et al. (2023). ESWT for MSK Pain. | 37. Beitzel et al. (2015). Outcomes of Rotator Cuff Surgery. |
13. Vázquez-Sasot, A. et al. (2023). Mechanisms of ESWT in MSK. | 38. Centeno et al. (2020). Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Outcomes. |
14. Mayo Clinic. (2022). Application of ESWT in Tendon Healing. | 39. Oliver et al. (2021). Joint Replacement Surgery. |
15. Leister, I. et al. (2020). Effect of ESWT on Achilles Tendinopathy. | 40. Hernigou et al. (2017). Surgical Options for Tendon Repairs. |
16. Mittermayr, R. et al. (2020). Radial & Focused Shockwave Therapy. | 41. Kim et al. (2020). BMAC for Cartilage Repair. |
17. Beitzel, K. et al. (2018). Use of ESWT in Sports Medicine. | 42. Piuzzi et al. (2021). BMAC for Joint Repair. |
18. Centeno, C. et al. (2020). Radial ESWT for Joint Degeneration. | 43. Shapiro et al. (2020). Efficacy of Joint Replacement Surgery. |
19. Oliver, K. et al. (2021). Comparison of PRP and ESWT. | 44. Giannini et al. (2020). Surgical Management for Cartilage Defects. |
20. Hernigou, P. et al. (2020). Focused Shockwave for Fracture Nonunion. | 45. Hernigou et al. (2021). Outcomes of Joint Replacement Surgery. |
21. Lansdown et al. (2021). Platelet-Rich Plasma Narrative Review. | 46. Beitzel et al. (2021). Surgical Management of Tendon Tears. |
22. Degen et al. (2017). PRP System Comparison Study. | 47. Centeno et al. (2022). Long-Term Outcomes of Joint Replacement. |
23. Etulain et al. (2020). PRP for Tendinopathy. | 48. Oliver et al. (2023). PRP vs. Surgery for Tendon Healing. |
24. Arora et al. (2019). PRP Preparation Techniques. | 49. Hernigou et al. (2022). Joint Surgery Outcomes in Arthritis. |
25. Abat et al. (2014). PRP for Achilles Tendon Injuries. | 50. Giannini et al. (2022). Efficacy of PRP in Joint Surgery. |
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