Medically reviewed by Derek Wimmer, PA Updated
Wharton's jelly is the stem-cell-rich connective tissue from donated, screened umbilical cords, rich in structural proteins and signaling components found in young tissue. At Wimmer it is injected — with image guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) when it adds precision — into joints or soft tissue as part of a regenerative care plan. It is an allograft biologic, and candidacy is determined at an in-person evaluation with written informed consent.
| Type | Wharton's jelly allograft biologic |
|---|---|
| Source | Donated, screened umbilical cord tissue |
| Doses | 70mg and 300mg |
| Guidance | Ultrasound or fluoroscopy, when needed |
| First results | Gradual over weeks to months |
What is Wharton's jelly?
Wharton's jelly is the gelatinous, mucous connective tissue found inside the human umbilical cord, where it protects and insulates the blood vessels that connect a developing baby to the placenta. It is naturally rich in the structural proteins, hyaluronic acid, and signaling components characteristic of very young tissue.
The product we use comes from healthy, consented, screened donors after scheduled deliveries, processed by accredited tissue facilities — sourcing documentation we are glad to discuss with you.
Two components account for the interest in Wharton's jelly as a regenerative material:
- Extracellular matrix — collagen fibers, elastin, and high levels of glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronic acid
- Cellular content — specialized cells including fibroblasts, macrophages, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)
How it's used at Wimmer
For selected patients, Wharton's Jelly with mesenchymal stem cells is injected — with image guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) when it adds precision — into a joint or soft-tissue area as part of an individualized regenerative plan. It is most often discussed for arthritic joints such as the knee, hip, and shoulder, in patients seeking alternatives to surgery.
- Image-guided delivery when it adds precision
- Available in 70mg and 300mg doses, matched to the area treated
- Often coordinated with exosomes, peptides, PRP, or focused shockwave in a broader plan
- Candidacy confirmed at an in-person evaluation
Honest expectations
Responses to biologic injections vary from person to person, and results are not guaranteed. Research on umbilical-derived allografts is ongoing, and we will give you a candid assessment of the current evidence as it applies to your diagnosis — and tell you plainly if we think another option fits you better.
Informed, individualized care
Notice: Regenerative biologics, including Wharton's jelly allografts, are individualized therapies, and we provide detailed written informed consent covering the nature of the treatment, its risks and potential benefits, and your alternatives, including non-treatment. You are encouraged to consult with your primary care physician as part of your decision, and we're glad to review the sourcing documentation with you.
Terms to know
- Wharton's jelly
- Gelatinous connective tissue from inside the umbilical cord, containing collagen, hyaluronic acid and mesenchymal stem cells, used as source material for a regenerative biologic injection.
- Regenerative medicine
- An umbrella term for care that uses biologic materials or physical stimulation as part of an individualized treatment plan.
- Image-guided injection
- An injection performed while the clinician uses real-time imaging to see the treatment area.
