FAIR LAWN, NJ, UNITED STATES, October 20, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Alliance Orthopedics announces the addition of Dr. Alec Cartagena, DO, a double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist with specialized training in interventional pain medicine, advanced spinal procedures, and regenerative medicine. Dr. Cartagena joins the practice’s Fair Lawn location, bringing extensive procedural experience and expertise in complex spine conditions.
Alliance Orthopedics Welcomes Dr. Alec Cartagena, Expanding Expertise in Interventional Pain Medicine
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Alliance Orthopedicsinterventional pain medicineanesthesiologistpain medicine specialistcomplex spine conditionsAlec Cartagena DO
Dr. Cartagena specializes in diagnosing and treating cervical and lumbar spine conditions, radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease, and neuropathic pain. His clinical experience includes image-guided spine and joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, peripheral nerve interventions, neuromodulation, and minimally invasive spine procedures.
He also has a particular interest in regenerative medicine, including platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatments for joint conditions, complementing Alliance Orthopedics’ existing orthopedic and rehabilitation services.
“Dr. Cartagena brings an impressive combination of advanced training and clinical expertise that will be a tremendous asset to Alliance,” said Dr. Ammar Saymeh, Director of Lower Extremity Services at Alliance Orthopedics. “His experience in complex spine conditions, interventional pain management, and regenerative medicine builds on the strengths of our existing team. We’re excited about the opportunities his arrival creates for greater collaboration across specialties and the depth of expertise we can offer our patients in Fair Lawn.”
Dr. Cartagena earned his medical degree from A.T. Still University, Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, before completing his anesthesiology residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City.
He continued his training at Mount Sinai through a fellowship in Pain Medicine, where he developed advanced expertise in diagnosing and treating complex pain conditions. During his fellowship, he was recognized as Pain Medicine Resident of the Year.
Before joining Alliance Orthopedics, Dr. Cartagena spent two years working in a high-volume private practice setting, treating a broad spectrum of pain conditions. His background in anesthesiology further contributes to his understanding of procedural techniques, pharmacology, and complex pain management.
Dr. Cartagena has also contributed to research and medical education through publications and presentations addressing interventional pain medicine, regional anesthesia, neuropathic pain, and pharmacology. He is an active member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience.
His combination of advanced procedural training, experience managing complex spinal conditions, and interest in regenerative medicine brings a distinct clinical perspective to Alliance Orthopedics’ Fair Lawn team.
About Alliance Orthopedics
Alliance Orthopedics provides multidisciplinary orthopedic care throughout New Jersey, bringing medical specialists and conservative care providers together to create individualized treatment plans for patients. Its services include orthopedic care, pain management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic care, and additional musculoskeletal specialties, all focused on helping patients get Better Every Day.
For more information or to request an appointment, visit AllianceOrtho.com.
Author
TH
TJ Halvorson
The De Angelis Group | Orthopedics This Week | MSK Innovations
Why This Matters
Two Perspectives
MBA Lens: Economic and industry impact
Alliance Orthopedics strategically expanded its service portfolio by hiring Dr. Alec Cartagena, a specialist in interventional pain medicine and regenerative therapies. This move enhances their multidisciplinary care model, particularly in complex spine conditions and PRP treatments, strengthening their competitive position in the New Jersey market. This expansion aims to attract more patients seeking comprehensive pain management solutions, potentially boosting market share and revenue streams through diversified offerings.
- The addition of Dr. Cartagena diversifies Alliance Orthopedics' service offerings, integrating advanced pain management and regenerative medicine.
- This strategic hire enhances market competitiveness and patient acquisition by providing a broader spectrum of specialized orthopedic and pain solutions.
PhD Lens: Clinical and outcomes impact
Dr. Alec Cartagena, a double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist, brings expertise in interventional pain medicine and regenerative therapies to Alliance Orthopedics. His clinical focus includes image-guided spine/joint injections, radiofrequency ablation, neuromodulation, and minimally invasive spine procedures. He also specializes in Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments for joint conditions, complementing existing orthopedic services with evidence-based pain management techniques.
- Dr. Cartagena's clinical expertise encompasses advanced spinal procedures and interventional pain techniques for complex conditions like radiculopathy and neuropathic pain.
- His interest in regenerative medicine, specifically PRP for joint conditions, offers a biological approach to complement traditional orthopedic and rehabilitation services.
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Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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