What Patients Should Know About These Advanced Orthopedics
When a patient has a fracture, break, sprain, or overuse injury, naturally, one of the main queries they have is about their recovery timeline. Athletes and active individuals are especially concerned about this. The sooner they get healthy, the sooner they can get back to exercising and playing competitive sports.
Some patients will ask, “Is there any way to speed this process up?”
A few decades ago, there were no readily available means to accelerate the healing process. However, with the significant progress that’s been made in the field of advanced orthopedics, treatment options for patients have broadened to include orthobiologics, also known as regenerative medicine. Administered by advanced orthopedic doctors, this category of treatments has shown significant promise in accelerating healing by using naturally occurring substances in the human body.
Orthobiologics Defined and the Different Types
Orthobiologics are a range of treatments that use substances harvested from the patient’s own body to stimulate healing and accelerate the recovery process. Because orthobiologic treatments utilize the body’s own naturally occurring substances, there is a very low risk of infection or rejection.
Some of the most common forms of orthobiologics include:
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections – PRP injections contain a high concentration of anti-inflammatory factors and platelets, both of which speed along the healing process for a variety of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. The patient’s own blood is used to prepare a PRP injection, and the injection can be delivered same-day.
Bone grafts – Bone grafts can be used to aid with skeletal healing by using biological materials on the site of the fracture or break, thus speeding up the healing process.
Autologous blood – This variety of advanced orthopedics utilizes a concentrated form of adipose tissue or bone marrow, or blood for cellular therapies, that accelerate bone or tissue healing.
The Five Main Benefits of Orthobiologics
Although data is still being collected on orthobiologics and their efficacy, there is significant evidence to support the five following core benefits:
- Because orthobiologics use substances that naturally occur in the body, the reliance on treatments that use chemicals and drugs is decreased.
- There are several published studies that support orthobiologics as a way to reduce inflammation and build new tissue.
- There is sufficient evidence to support that orthobiologics are a proven method of improving joint function and mobility.
- Orthobiologic treatment has been successful in delaying or avoiding certain surgeries.
- There are sufficient studies to support that orthobiologics help patients recover faster and get back to normal daily activities sooner.
Which Patients Are Candidates for Orthobiologics?
Broadly speaking, patients who wish to accelerate the healing process, decrease pain, and increase their mobility may potentially be a candidate for orthobiologic treatments delivered by advanced orthopedic doctors. The following conditions could benefit:
- Bone fractures or breaks
- Spinal conditions
- Soft tissue damage
- Joint damage
- Chronic neck pain
- Chronic shoulder pain
- Rotator cuff or labral tears
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis
- Golfer’s elbow, also called medial epicondylitis
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- ACL or meniscus tears
It’s important to note that advanced orthopedics and sports medicine doctors typically offer more traditional forms of treatment prior to recommending orthobiologics. Patients who are interested in accelerating their recovery timeline or who have a personal preference for holistic treatments should discuss orthobiologic options with their orthopedic doctor.
Orthobiologic options are also ideal for patients who are seeking minimally invasive treatments that don’t involve arthroscopic or traditional surgery. Of course, orthobiologics are recommended on a case-by-case basis; however, there are some instances where this advanced orthopedics technique may prevent surgery.
Getting in Touch with Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Doctors
Mid-America Orthopedics consists of a team of experienced advanced orthopedic doctors, surgeons, athletic trainers, and sports medicine professionals at the top of their field. Advanced orthopedic specialists on staff are trained in delivering orthobiologics to patients who are qualified candidates for this type of treatment.
Patients with a musculoskeletal issue, chronic disease, or other orthopedic condition should reach out to our practice to arrange an examination. After one of our orthopedic doctors has had a chance to examine the affected area, they will provide a diagnosis, treatment recommendations, treatment processes, and the total investment in your recovery.
Call us at (316) 630-9300 or email us using the contact form on our website to learn more about orthobiologics. For the convenience of our patients, we generally can schedule same-day or next-day consultations.