Alpha-2-Macroglobulin: Could it Be the Answer for Your Knee Arthritis?

Knee arthritis can make everyday activities painful. Just climbing stairs or simply walking across the room can be difficult. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of medications and treatments to help you manage knee arthritis. 

While pain relief medications and joint injections are well-known arthritis treatments, they aren’t the only ones. Regenerative medicine can also help. 

Here at Trinity Pain Medicine Associates, Ashley M. Classen, DO, FAOCA, and Ashley Bailey-Classen, DO, MBA, FAOCA, offer several types of regenerative medicine, including alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) therapy.

If you’re struggling with knee arthritis and curious about A2M therapy, then read on.

What is alpha-2-macroglobulin?

A2M is a natural protein found in your blood that helps block inflammatory enzymes that damage cartilage.

If you have arthritis, those inflammatory enzymes break down the protective cartilage in your knee, which leads to pain, stiffness, and swelling. By targeting these harmful enzymes, A2M therapy may help protect your joints and improve function.

How does A2M therapy work?

During A2M therapy, Dr. Classen or Dr. Bailey-Classen takes a sample of your blood and processes it to concentrate the A2M protein. In studies, this process raised A2M levels four times higher than standard platelet-rich plasma and boosted IGF-1, a growth factor that supports cartilage repair, by up to five times. 

Once the protein is concentrated, the solution is then injected directly into your knee. Normal joints only have about 6% of the A2M found in blood, so injecting A2MRP directly into your knee helps deliver enough protein to make a difference. 

The idea is that by delivering A2M right where it’s needed, it can:

• Neutralize the enzymes causing damage
• Reduce inflammation
• Support your body’s natural healing processes

Many people notice reduced pain and improved mobility within a few weeks, though results can vary.

Like other regenerative medicine treatments, A2M therapy is minimally invasive and can often be combined with other conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or lifestyle modifications, to maximize results.

Who might benefit from A2M?

If you have knee arthritis that isn’t responding to standard care, you may consider regenerative medicine, such as A2M therapy. Because it’s made from your own blood, it’s personalized and generally well tolerated.

You might consider A2M therapy if you:

• Have mild to moderate knee arthritis
• Are looking to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery
• Want a treatment that uses your body’s natural proteins rather than synthetic drugs

The good part is that you don’t have to make this decision alone. Our team explains how it works, how it’s prepared, and whether it fits into your overall arthritis treatment plan.

To learn more about your regenerative medicine treatment options for arthritis in Fort Worth, Texas, schedule a consultation or give us a ring at 817-332-3664.