Regenerative medicine and chronic pain: what I learned at the World Congress 2026

From April 23 to 25 I attended the World Congress of Regenerative & Longevity Medicine 2026 in San Francisco, organized by the World Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WIRM), the Latin American Pain Society and the New York and New Jersey Pain Medicine Congress. Three days with researchers and clinicians from the United States, Brazil, Switzerland, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Colombia and Mexico presenting what is opening new possibilities in the management of chronic pain.

This article is a summary of what excites me most from what I saw, especially for patients living with osteoarthritis, tendinopathies or musculoskeletal pain. Regenerative medicine is maturing quickly and bringing options that did not exist in practice just a few years ago.

What is regenerative medicine applied to pain?

Regenerative medicine encompasses therapies that harness the body's own biological processes to support tissue repair. In musculoskeletal pain, the four most widely used are:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): a concentrate obtained from the patient's own blood, rich in growth factors, applied under image guidance to the affected area. It is autologous —from the patient's own body— and minimally invasive.
• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): cells with the capacity to modulate repair processes. The most widely used in musculoskeletal pain are those derived from the patient's own adipose tissue and those obtained from specific sources such as Wharton's jelly. Applied under image guidance.
• Exosomes: extracellular vesicles that act as messengers between cells. One of the most exciting areas discussed at the congress. In the words of Dr. Timothy Ganey: they work like the body's "email" between cells.
• Orthobiologics: a broad term that includes PRP, concentrated bone marrow, adipose tissue cells and other products derived from the patient, applied to orthopedic problems.

What they all have in common: they use the patient's own biological resources to support natural repair processes. They do not introduce foreign substances. They are minimally invasive procedures.

PRP in osteoarthritis: one of the most solid options

Of all the congress sessions, the one most connected to the reality of my practice was the one by Dr. Jesús Medina (Mexico) on PRP in advanced osteoarthritis, with intra-articular and subchondral application. Knee and hip OA is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in patients over 50, and many reach a point where anti-inflammatories lose their effect but they are not yet candidates for surgery or prefer to postpone it.

[VALIDATE — The doctor is reviewing this paragraph] This is where PRP plays an increasingly important role. The literature consistently shows that, in selected patients with knee OA, intra-articular PRP can help reduce pain and improve function. It is an option that offers a real alternative for patients who previously felt trapped between medications and surgery.

Tendinopathies: another area where PRP has changed the picture

The application of PRP in chronic tendinopathies —epicondylitis, Achilles tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, rotator cuff— is another area where the evidence has supported a change in clinical practice in recent years. The session on PRP and biologics in the musculoskeletal system, presented by Brazilian teams from the Instituto RegenerateDOR, reviewed updated protocols with a message closely aligned with my practice: the quality of the preparation, image guidance and the correct indication are what define the outcome.

The congress also presented advances in newer applications: PRP in post-surgical fibrosis, exosomes in neuropathic pain, stem cells in spinal cord injuries. Each with very promising active research. These are the areas we expect to hear about very soon and that will likely become part of routine practice in the coming years.

How the best option is chosen for each patient

Regenerative medicine works because it adapts to each case. The assessment includes several questions that guide the decision:

This personalized assessment is what distinguishes a good regenerative medicine indication: the right tool for the right patient.

Why regenerative medicine is growing

One of the most exciting things about the congress was seeing the trajectory of each therapy.

PRP in osteoarthritis and tendinopathies already has a very solid foundation: decades of clinical use, controlled studies and increasingly standardized protocols. Today it is an established option in pain management.

Stem cell and other cell-derived therapies —adipose tissue MSCs, products based on Wharton's jelly, both discussed in depth at the congress— are opening significant therapeutic possibilities in musculoskeletal conditions. It is one of the fastest-growing clinical fields today.

Exosomes represent the frontier of research. The congress sessions —including Dr. Timothy Ganey's on intercellular communication— showed fascinating biology and very promising results. It is one of the areas generating the most anticipation among pain specialists.

The importance of continuing education

Pain medicine advances quickly. Every year there are new protocols, more precise devices and evidence that refines what we do. Attending congresses like this one —the World Congress of Regenerative & Longevity Medicine, co-organized with the Latin American Pain Society and backed by societies from the United States— is a fundamental part of my practice:

• Connect with leading international teams and learn from their experience.
• Stay up to date with advances and new indications as they emerge.
• Continuously refine the protocols and techniques I offer my patients.

It is how I ensure that every patient I see at Centro Médico ABC has access to the most up-to-date options that pain medicine can offer today.

Are you considering regenerative medicine for your pain?

If you live with chronic pain —especially osteoarthritis, tendinopathies or musculoskeletal pain— and want to explore these options, the most useful first step is an evaluation:

• Clear diagnosis: precisely identify the structure that generates the pain.
• Personalized plan: define the combination of treatments that best fits your case.
• Clear expectations: understand the full plan, the response times and the next steps.

At Centro Médico ABC, Observatorio location, I evaluate each case individually and design a plan that takes advantage of the best options available to you, including PRP, cell therapies and the interventional procedures indicated according to your diagnosis.

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