Orthobiologics is a rapidly growing field in medicine. The industry is largely focusing on tissue regeneration and healing using natural biological substances. These types of treatments are very useful for issues like arthritis, joint pain, and injuries. But which orthobiologic treatment works better for what kind of conditions? Here is a break down:
- Bone Marrow Aspirates: A Powerhouse for Healing
One of the most widely used types of orthobiologics is bone marrow aspirates. But what exactly are they? Bone marrow aspirates are a procedure where a small amount of bone marrow is taken from the patient’s body, typically from the hip bone. This marrow is rich in stem cells and growth factors, which can help promote healing in damaged tissues, bones, or joints.
This treatment is used for conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and cartilage damage. The stem cells found in bone marrow aspiration procedures have the potential to regenerate damaged tissues and accelerate healing. Since the stem cells are from the patient’s own body, the risk of rejection is low, making this treatment a safe and effective option for many people.
- Plasma Rich Platelet Injection (PRP Treatment)
The next innovation in line is plasma rich platelet injection, or just PRP treatment. This therapy involves drawing a little blood from the patient. This blood is then processed in a way so that the platelets are concentrated. This concentrated plasma is then introduced to the area of injury to promote healing.
The reason this treatment is gaining traction is because it simply works by stimulating the body’s natural repair process. Plasma therapy is very suited to treat conditions like ligament injuries, tendonitis, etc. The process is especially popular among athletes for speeding up recovery for sports-related injuries.
- Plasma Replacement Therapy
Plasma therapy is not a new phenomenon but plasma replacement therapy is comparatively a recent innovation. It uses lab-grown plasma (or plasma taken from a donor) to promote healing in damaged tissues. How is it different from PRP? Well, in this method, the plasma is processed in a way so that there’s no need to use the patient’s blood.
To clarify, plasma replacement therapy is still in its early stages, but it’s showing promising results in regenerative treatments. As this therapy becomes more refined, it may become a widely used option for people who need an alternative to PRP or bone marrow treatments.
- How These Treatments Compare
Each type of orthobiologic treatment has its own unique advantages and applications. Bone marrow aspirates are particularly beneficial when treating more severe injuries or conditions involving bone damage. Meanwhile, plasma rich platelet injections or PRP treatments are more commonly used for soft tissue injuries, such as tendon or ligament damage.
To sum up, bone marrow aspiration procedures, plasma replacement therapy, and PRP treatments are some new innovations in the orthobiologics industry. While already proving to be very useful, these treatments are still in their nascent stages, and researchers are still working on expanding their scope of application. With the development of these therapies, the aim is to treat more and more musculoskeletal issues in non-invasive ways.
