OrthoBiologics
What are OrthoBiologics?
OrthoBiologics are an innovative area of Regenerative Medicine that uses the body’s own cells and healing factors to potentially reverse debilitating effects of osteoarthritis and accelerate healing of tendon and/or ligament injuries (rotator cuff tendonitis, ankle sprain, etc).
- OrthoBiologics involve substances used to help your body heal more quickly. They can improve the healing of injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments and help repair damage from osteoarthritis. These products are made from substances that are naturally found in your body.
- When you have an injury, there is bleeding into the injured area. This bleeding delivers key healing factors to start the repair process.
- Growth factors are the many different kinds of proteins found in the blood necessary for cells to work during the healing process. Some proteins help speed up the healing process, while others help to control it or slow it down.
- Stem cells are special cells in your body that can turn into other types of cells. During the healing process, stem cells are called to the area of your body that needs repair. Factors in the area influence the stem cells to become repair cells. The same stem cell that repairs bone can also repair a tendon or ligament.
- When these healing substances are injected into the affected area(s) in higher concentrations, they can promote a faster healing process and potentially reverse debilitating effects.
- BJISG’s Regenerative Medicine Program offers four types of OrthoBiologics: Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP), Platelet-Rich- Plasma (PRP), Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), and Stem Cells.
J. Matthew Valosen, MD – Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. J. Matthew Valosen joined the Bone and Joint Institute of South Georgia (BJISG) after beginning his career as a U.S. Army Orthopaedic Surgeon. He was previously the Chief of Orthopaedic Surgical Services at Winn Army Community Hospital, Ft. Stewart, GA. A board-certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Valosen offers patients a wealth of orthopaedic experience from comprehensive, computer-assisted joint replacements to leading-edge OrthoBiologic treatments.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE FOR ORTHOBIOLOGICS?
Each patient is thoroughly examined to determine which, if any, OrthoBiologic procedure may help improve their condition. Our OrthoBiologic program includes Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP), Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP), Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), and Stem Cells. Depending on your specific need, an effective course of treatment will be implemented by your physician. OrthoBiologics have offered much success with multiple conditions including tendonitis, tendinosis, tendon tears, ligament sprains or tears, loose ligaments, and muscle tears. These innovative procedures have also been effective at treating cartilage degeneration such as arthritis as well as labrum tears in joints.
ORTHOBIOLOGIC THERAPIES OFFERED AT THE BONE AND JOINT INSTITUTE OF SOUTH GEORGIA:
- Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP)
- Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP) therapy is a promising treatment method that promotes the body’s own healing factors. This therapy is effective for a large number of injuries, overuse injuries, degenerative disease and for an accelerated healing following surgery. A small amount of blood is extracted from a patient and then growth/healing factors are extracted using the process of centrifugation. The new solution is then injected into the patient’s area of treatment to promote the process of regeneration and healing.
- Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP)
- Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) therapy is very similar to the Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP) but the concentration of healing factors in the PRP solution is approximately 10 times as concentrated. Although blood is mainly plasma, it also contains small solid components (red cells, white cells, and platelets.) The platelets contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are very important in the healing of injuries.
- Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)
- Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) therapy is comprised from fluid taken from bone marrow. The patient’s own bone marrow aspirate contains their stem cells that can help the healing of some bone and joint conditions. Stem Cells have the ability to convert into many different types of cells depending on the injury. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate is obtained with a minimally invasive procedure that avoids the risks of an open bone graft procedure.
- Stem Cells
- If a patient dosen’t have proper stem cells, due to disease and/or age, we can use donor stem cells. Stem cells have the ability to become other cells in the body, and can differentiate into a variety of cell types including osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells), myocytes (muscle cells) and adipocytes (fat cells). They’re regenerative in nature. Current research is looking at how these stem cells can delay the progression of arthritis or possibly repair the body using its own natural response to damage.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR ORTHOBIOLOGIC PROCEDURE:
BEFORE YOUR INJECTION
- Please do not take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID’s) such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, high dose Aspirin, Mobic, or Celebrex for one week prior to your injection. If you are a smoker, please cease smoking to receive the maximum benefits from your OrthoBiologic injection.
THE DAY OF YOUR INJECTION
- All OrthoBiologic procedures are performed in the clinic with the exception of BMAC, which is performed in our Outpatient Surgery Center. The injection process will take approximately one hour. A nurse will draw your blood, place it in a centrifuge to obtain the concentrate, and then your doctor will inject the affected area. The injection site will be covered with a band-aid. For patients receiving BMAC, a pre-op nurse will prepare you for your procedure. A local anesthetic and/or IV sedation will be administered, and the procedure will be performed. You will have one dissolvable stitch at the bone marrow donor site. You can expect some mild pain and discomfort, and swelling is common.
AFTER YOUR INJECTION
- Rest, ice, and elevate the affected area for the first 48-72 hours after your procedure. Because OrthoBiologic injections release growth factors, you do not want to disturb the area of injection for at least 48 hours. Please refrain from any activities other than the necessary walking or driving in order to receive the maximum healing benefits. Avoid all heavy, physical activity for up to 2 weeks. Please do not take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID’s) such as Ibuprofen, Aleve, high dose Aspirin, Mobic, or Celebrex for one week after your injection. If you are a smoker, please continue to cease smoking to receive the maximum benefits from your OrthoBiologic injection. You will return for a follow-up visit 6 weeks after your procedure to assess your response to the treatment.