Did you know that there are more than 100 different types of arthritis? This common condition can cause pain and swelling of the joints and connective tissues, as well as limiting movement. Arthritis often occurs with age, but arthritis diseases can affect people of any age. There is no cure for arthritis, so the goal of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation and improve mobility. Commonly, arthritis is treated with options that include medication, heat and ice, TENS treatment, injections, braces and sometimes surgery. Increasingly, though, doctors are turning to the field of regenerative medicine, using orthobiologic treatments for arthritis pain relief.
Regenerative medicine is an exciting field of study, in which doctors use biological tissues, sometimes from the patient’s own body, to promote healing and circumvent the need for surgery. Because these therapies are derived from cells taken from the patient, they are generally safe. In addition to helping the body to heal, there is evidence that these treatments alleviate pain and inflammation. Therapies used in regenerative medicine include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), as well as cell-based therapies that involve bone marrow, adipose tissue, or stem cells. The stem cells used in regenerative medicine are typically not fetal cells, but rather cells from placental or amniotic tissue. While there are studies investigating the use of fetal stem cells in orthopedics, they are still in the clinical trial stage. This is the only use that is currently FDA-approved.
Essentially, orthobiologics is another term for regenerative medicine, used when it is applied to orthopedics. Orthopedists use orthobiologic treatment to improve pain and enhance the healing of various orthopedic conditions, like injuries of the tendons, ligaments, bones, muscles, spinal discs, meniscus of the knee, cartilage, and other tissue that is not likely to heal on its own. Conditions like tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease have all been treated with orthobiologics.
Traditional treatments for arthritis have included pain medications, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, joint replacement surgery. Orthobiologic treatments for arthritis offer a promising alternative, using an injection for arthritis pain rather than relying on medication or putting the patient through the rigors of surgery. Here’s how specific orthobiologic treatments help address arthritis pain:
In this type of therapy, a small amount of the patient’s own blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelets, and then those platelets are injected into the affected joint. The concentrated platelets contain proteins that reduce inflammation and support the repair of damaged tissue. PRP can be especially effective in relieving arthritis pain, as it works with the body’s own healing processes and immune response.
In most cases, because the cells are pulled from your own body and used on the same day, regenerative medicine is generally considered safe. These treatments pose additional risks, according to the FDA. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have before undergoing treatment.
There is a little bit of discomfort associated with having a needle inserted into your joint. If you are having PRP therapy, it only takes about 45-60 minutes, and just involves a blood draw and an injection. Generally, patients can get back to their normal activity level within two or three days of treatment, though they may need to wait a few weeks to exercise. In both types of therapy, the injections are typically administered with imaging assistance, like ultrasound, to ensure the accurate placement of the therapy directly into the joint, where it can provide optimal benefit. By addressing pain and inflammation, orthobiologic injections can significantly enhance joint function and overall mobility for arthritis patients.
Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics is a leader in orthopedic care, and orthobiologics is just one of the treatments provided. Known today for providing comprehensive, specialized care for patients of all ages, Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics started as a small sports medicine clinic for high school athletes, back in 1983. Under the guidance of Dr. Thomas A Brady, the father of Central Indiana sports medicine, this independent, physician-owned orthopedic surgical practice grew to include a variety of sub-specialists before moving to Carmel in 1995. Today, the Carmel clinic is one of four locations, serving patients from across Indiana, with over 20 physicians and dedicated staff members providing patients with exceptional treatment, as well as actively serving their communities. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us through our website.
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