Orthobiologics
Orthopaedic Regenerative Medicine in Greece
Orthobiologics, also commonly known as orthopaedic regenerative medicine, are cell-based therapies developed from biological (natural) substances found in your body that can be used by orthopaedic specialists to:
- Heal tissues, organs and restore function due to damage, aging, disease or defects
- Bone regeneration is a crucial problem in numerous cases, including bone fracture, defect, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis, which should be resolved
- Help relieve pain and other symptoms of certain orthopaedic conditions, such as early osteoarthritis, which may help delay the need for surgery
- Enhance the body’s ability to heal from a repetitive use injury, such as a ligament or tendon strain, cartilage injuries, muscle injuries
- In some cases, improve healing after orthopaedic surgery
The human body has the natural ability to heal itself in many ways. Orthobiologics are effective for many patients and can increase the quality of life for these who previously faced limited treatment options.
- Especially effective for professional athletes and those who need to get back in action as quickly as possible.
- Patients who have known arthritis and want to avoid a total joint replacement, are increasingly turning to Regenerative Medicine.
- For older patients, often forced to live with pain and limited mobility can be life-changing.
Orthobiologics, can help a patient take advantage of their body’s ability to heal itself by using the active stem cells that can be found in adipose-derived cells. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSc) were discovered over 40 years ago when researchers found that they had the ability to form various tissues. Adipose tissue, a small quantity of which can be procured from patients’ own abdominal regions through mini-liposuction, contains a high concentration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under the right conditions, are capable of developing into other types of cells with the potential to regenerate damaged tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being used to treat many types of chronic pain and degeneration. In the last decades, optimizations of stem cells isolation, have permitted MSCs to improve procedures for various tissue regeneration. MSCs have important characteristics that make them preferred for regenerative medicine.
Clinical research has shown that it is possible to use adipose derived stem cells to restore lost, damaged or aging cells and effectively regenerate tissue in the body. Orthobiologics have made tremendous advances to make tissue regeneration a reality in treating many diseases. Orthobiologics is showing promise in the treatment of orthopedic pain, currently is treating knee, hip, shoulder and spine degeneration, soft tissue injuries (muscle, tendon, ligament) and other bone related injuries.
PRP and Stem Cell are both Regenerative Therapy Treatments
These treatments:
- are designed to help your body naturally heal and recover. The main difference between them is the source for each treatment.
- use different techniques to help the body heal its own tissues or regenerate
- involve collecting samples from your own body, which reduces risks and increases patient safety.
To fully understand the differences between these therapies, it helps to have a better understanding of what each treatment actually is and what’s involved.
The decision about which treatment is appropriate isn’t just a personal preference issue but is
- The nature of your injury or condition. For example, if tissue around joints needs to be rejuvenated or infused with healthy cells or you have soft tissues that are healing slow
- How well you’ve responded to other treatments
- The extent of the damage to soft tissues and/or joints
- Your goals with treatment and pain management
Ultimately, the decision will be based on physician input and the results seen during follow-up visits after you have your first treatment.
The main point of this PRP vs Stem Cell therapy comparison is to point out the options you have when seeking relief from persistent joint pain and realize that it’s entirely possible to benefit from both PRP and stem cell therapy.
Combining Stem Cell and PRP Therapy
PRP vs Stem Cell isn’t really debate as far as one treatment being better than the other in the sense that both techniques can produce similar benefits. There are injuries or conditions that patients may benefit more from one than the other. Also can be combination therapy Stem Cell with PRP to enhance or “boost” overall results.
