Regenerative Medicine
& Orthobiologic Treatment

“What is orthobiologics?” It’s a question that we’re hearing more and more as healthcare continues to advance and new and promising treatment options become more widely available to patients. The team at Mid-America Orthopedics – much like the rest of the medical community – is keeping a close eye on the benefits of regenerative medicine in Kansas City.

Orthobiologics are used in the field of orthopedics to help injuries and skin/muscle tissue heal faster and more robustly. Typically, these substances are derived from naturally occurring substances found in the human body and have been used to treat all manner of musculoskeletal injuries. Common conditions that orthobiologics are used to treat include:

• • Pain occurring in the back, neck, elbows, knees, shoulders, or hips
• • Sciatica
• • Arthritis
• • Torn tendons
• • Tendinitis
• • Neuropathy (nerve damage)

Orthobiologics most commonly include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow concentrate, certain fat grafts, and other tissues. The most widely used terminology for this type of treatment is known as stem cell therapy or regenerative therapy. As the name implies, this type of medicine is based upon the regenerative properties of cells occurring in the human body. The treatments are applied in the form of injections containing the aforementioned regenerative cells/PRP, which helps the patient relieve pain, improve their mobility and boost their overall health.

There are two basic types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Embryonic stem cells are found early in the developmental phase of life and are in a controversial status when it comes to research and development. As of right now, there is no current use of embryonic stem cells approved for orthopedics.

On the other hand, the MSCs found in adults are considered to be an orthobiologic substance, which means they can be used for treating patients. When they are used in concentrations many times the normal, they can potentially help speed up the healing process to a much faster rate. These non-surgical treatments help repair and rejuvenate injured tissue due to the healing compounds (cytokines, collagens, peptides, and other proteins) these cells contain. This technique has shown great promise as an alternative to surgery or other invasive treatments.

Orthobiologics have evolved and are significantly influencing modern orthopedic surgical practice. There are many published results of laboratory and clinical studies using orthobiologics with variable results, which means there is still quite a bit more research and testing that needs to be done before the treatment becomes widely and regularly used. A clear consensus over the best biological substances, method of preparation, and indications for usage is lacking.

If you are currently suffering with joint or musculoskeletal pain of any kind, your first course of action should be to reach out to the team at Mid-America Orthopedics Kansas City to schedule an examination. This commonly consists of getting a detailed history, conducting a physical examination or x-rays, and possibly an MRI. In the event that you require surgery, you can rest assured that Mid-America Orthopedics has a team of the best orthopedic surgeons in the Kansas City area with decades of combined experience.

If you have additional questions about regenerative medicine or orthobiologic treatment, the orthopedic doctors at our practice will be happy to discuss that with you during your appointment. Your condition or injury may make you a prime candidate for that particular line of treatment.