Regenalase™ Laser Treatment in Glastonbury, CT

What Makes Regenalase™ Different?

Most laser devices used in medical offices deliver energy to the surface of the skin and rely on it penetrating downward through multiple tissue layers to reach the target. This works for superficial conditions — but joints, cartilage, and deep tendons are not superficial structures.

Regenalase™ solves this problem with two distinct, synergistic laser technologies in a single platform:

1. The 1550 nm Erbium Fiber Laser — Treating from the Inside Out

This laser is delivered through an ultra-thin 18-gauge cannula — a needle-sized tube inserted with a simple, minimally invasive technique similar to a standard injection procedure. Once positioned, the fiber laser emits 1550 nm energy directly at the target tissue — cartilage, a damaged tendon, a torn meniscus, or a degenerative disc — from the inside.

The mechanism is fractional laser technology, the same approach that revolutionized dermatology for skin rejuvenation, now applied to musculoskeletal structures. The laser creates microscopic columns of precise thermal stimulation in the tissue — what clinicians call "nano-channels" — while leaving the surrounding tissue intact. This triggers an intense but controlled healing response: the body sends growth factors, stem cells, and repair cells to the treated columns, dramatically accelerating regeneration.

This is not laser ablation or tissue destruction. It is targeted biological activation at the site where healing is most needed.

2. The 980 nm Diode Laser — Treating from the Outside In

The second modality is a high-power, 30-watt diode laser applied non-invasively over the treatment area. At 980 nm, this laser penetrates deeply through the skin and surrounding soft tissue, delivering therapeutic photobiomodulation (PBM) to a wide zone around the joint or injury.

The 980 nm diode works by stimulating the mitochondria inside cells — the organelles responsible for producing ATP, the cell's energy currency. This drives:

• Reduced inflammation and swelling
• Enhanced cellular metabolism and repair activity
• Increased local circulation and oxygen delivery
• Natural analgesic (pain-relieving) effects without medication
• Accelerated collagen synthesis and soft tissue remodeling

Backed by over 400 clinical studies and 4,000 laboratory studies, the photobiomodulation component of Regenalase™ is one of the most rigorously studied modalities in physical medicine.

The Combined Effect: More Than the Sum of Its Parts

Used together, these two lasers create a treatment environment that no single device can replicate. The internal fiber laser creates a precise regenerative stimulus at the exact site of damage. The external diode laser simultaneously floods the surrounding tissue with healing energy. Together, they prepare, stimulate, and sustain a regenerative response throughout the treatment zone — from the cartilage surface to the synovium to the periarticular soft tissue.

Regenalase™ holds FDA 510(k) clearance (K233344) for both laser applications.

Conditions Treated with Regenalase™

Regenalase™ is particularly well suited for conditions involving cartilage and deep soft tissue structures that other therapies have difficulty reaching:

• Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle — including cartilage degradation
• Meniscus damage and degeneration
• Degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine
• Rotator cuff tears and tendinopathy
• Chronic Achilles tendinopathy
• Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
• Labral tears (hip and shoulder)
• Facet joint arthritis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sports injuries involving cartilage, tendons, and ligaments
• Post-surgical healing support

If you have been told your joint degeneration or cartilage damage is "too far gone" for conservative care, Regenalase™ opens a new chapter of treatment options.

Regenalase™ + Stem Cells + PRP: A Precision Regenerative Protocol

Regenalase™ was designed with orthobiologic medicine in mind. Its greatest power is unleashed when combined with stem cell therapy or PRP injections — the treatments at the core of New England Stem Cell Institute's practice.

Here is how the combination works:

Regenalase™ creates the ideal biological environment. The nano-channels created by the internal fiber laser act as direct conduits for injected biologics. When stem cells or PRP are delivered into or around tissue that has just been treated with Regenalase™, those growth factors and regenerative cells migrate to the exact sites of thermal stimulation — where healing activity is already at its peak. This is targeted delivery at a level conventional injection techniques alone cannot achieve.

The external diode laser amplifies systemic healing. While the fiber laser works at the point of damage, the 980 nm diode treatment extends the regenerative environment outward — ensuring that the entire joint capsule, surrounding tendons, and supporting soft tissue are part of the healing response.

The result: A more complete, more durable regenerative outcome — for patients who have tried other treatments and are looking for a meaningful step forward.

What to Expect During Regenalase™ Treatment

Your Initial Evaluation Dr. Tortland will perform a thorough physical examination and review your imaging (X-ray, MRI, or diagnostic ultrasound). He will assess whether Regenalase™ is appropriate for your condition and design a personalized protocol — including whether orthobiologic injections will be combined in the same or an adjacent session. The Fiber Laser (Internal) Procedure The treatment area is cleaned and a local anesthetic is applied. An 18-gauge cannula — similar in size to a standard injection needle — is advanced to the target tissue using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance. The fiber laser is then activated, delivering precise fractional energy at the site of damage. Most patients experience minimal discomfort, similar to a standard orthobiologic injection. The Diode Laser (External) Treatment Following or in conjunction with the internal procedure, the 980 nm diode handpiece is applied over the treatment area externally. This component is completely painless — you will feel gentle warmth as the laser energy penetrates the tissue. This portion of the session typically takes 10–15 minutes. After Treatment Most patients experience minimal downtime. Some soreness at the treatment site is normal for 24–48 hours. Dr. Tortland will provide specific aftercare instructions based on your protocol. Many patients notice improvement within the first 2–3 weeks; deeper tissue regeneration continues over 6–12 weeks.

Is Regenalase™ Right for You?

Regenalase™ may be an excellent option if you:

• Have cartilage damage, osteoarthritis, or a soft tissue injury that has not responded adequately to physical therapy, injections, or conventional laser treatments
• Want to enhance and extend the results of stem cell or PRP therapy
• Are looking to avoid or delay joint replacement surgery
• Have been told your condition is too advanced for standard conservative care
• Are an active person or athlete with a deep tendon or cartilage injury