Joint Preservation

Overview

Cleveland Clinic’s Joint Preservation Center is comprised of a team of physicians, clinical scientists, nurses and therapists who are dedicated to exploring the latest treatments for joint care and providing patients with the best options to help:

• Reduce pain
• Improve joint function
• Restore productivity
• Restore quality of life
• Avoid or delay joint replacement surgery or any surgery
• Reduce long-term cost to the healthcare system

“Joint preservation” refers to all types of joint care, but mostly to treatments that avoid the removal and replacement of tissues, for example, joint replacement.

For those with early stages of joint disease, joint preservation therapies may be an alternative option to joint replacement or provide sufficient improvement which can delay the need for joint replacement.

Conditions Treated

At the Joint Preservation Center, the conditions we treat include but are not limited to:

• Osteoarthritis
• Osteonecrosis
• Tendinitis
• Scars and restrictions
• ACL tears
• Meniscal tears
• Hip labral tears

Treatment Options

Joint Preservation at the Cleveland Clinic

Treatment options for joint preservation can include physical therapy, bracing and the use of joint preservation therapies, also known as cellular therapies. These therapies are sometimes referred to as “stem cell therapies”, which misrepresents the biological definition of the term stem cell.

Joint preservation therapies can involve the use of new medications or materials derived from tissues. All of these therapies are minimally invasive and accomplished using injections.

Our understanding of joint preservation therapies is evolving rapidly. The Joint Preservation Center only offers therapies that have the greatest evidence of both safety and potential effectiveness. These therapies include.

• Platelet-rich plasma
• Bone marrow concentrate
• Cortisone injection

Insurance

While insurance typically covers traditional therapies, some joint preservation treatments may not be covered. Pricing and insurance can be discussed at the time diagnosis.

Our Doctors

Physicians in Ohio

George Muschler, MD

Director, Joint Preservation Center

Jason Genin, DO

Staff

Atul Kamath, MD, MBA

Staff

Dominic King, DO

Staff

Nicolas Piuzzi, MD

Associate Staff

Physicians in Florida

Gregory Gilot, MD

Staff

Brian Leo, MD

Staff

Evan Peck, MD

Staff

Leonardo Oliveira, MD

Staff

Farah Tejpar, MD

Section Head

Michael Dakkak, DO

Associate Staff

Research & Outcomes

Our joint preservation experts are recognized as international leaders in joint preserving therapies for arthritis, musculoskeletal and rheumatic disease.

You can learn more about research projects being performed by our Joint Preservation team by reviewing their projects on PubMed.

Research Projects Publications

• Wael Barsoum, MD

• Jason Genin, DO

• Gregory Gilot, MD

• Atul Kamath, MD

• Dominic King, DO

• Brian Leo, MD

• Anthony Miniaci, MD

• George Muschler, MD

• Leonardo Oliveira, MD

• Evan Peck, MD

• Nicholas Piuzzi, MD

• Farah Tejpar, M.D.

For Medical Professionals

Referring a Patient

Cleveland Clinic welcomes the opportunity to partner with you in caring for your patients. Our dedicated Referring Physician team is available around-the-clock and committed to serving you and your patients.

To refer a patient to the Joint Preservation Center please contact our Medical Professionals Referral Line at 216.444.5338.