Gone are the days when people with health problems had very limited treatment options: medications and surgery.
There has emerged a treatment approach that is deemed one of the most promising frontiers in modern medicine – biologic therapy. Unlike pharmacological products which are synthesized chemically, biologics are made from naturally occurring substances and work by harnessing the body’s innate ability to heal.
In orthopedics, biologic treatment (also called orthobiologic therapy or regenerative medicine therapy) has been shown to significantly enhance the healing process or improve the treatment outcomes of an extensive range of musculoskeletal problems, including arthritis, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, ligament tears, and strains.
In this blog, you’ll learn more about what biologics are and how they are used in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems.
Common Types of Orthobiologics
In most cases, orthobiologic therapy involves the use of the patient’s very own tissue or blood (autologous biologic treatment), which is reinjected into the diseased or injured area to activate the body’s healing processes.
Discussed below are the most common orthobiologic treatments:
o Stem cell therapy
Stem cell therapy involves your orthopedic doctor harvesting around a liter of bone marrow (which is the best source of stem cells) from your hip, processing it in a centrifuge, and reinjecting it as close as possible to the diseased or injured area of your body to promote tissue regeneration.
o Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
With PRP therapy, your orthopedic doctor obtains a sample of your blood and spins it at high speeds in a centrifuge. The centrifugation is aimed at separating the platelets from the other components of your blood and obtaining a higher concentration of its growth and healing factors. Once the solution is ready, your orthopedic doctor injects it into and around the affected area to set off the body’s repair process and attract the support of stem cells.
How Quickly Do Orthobiologics Work?
It’s worth noting that biologic treatment is not a quick fix: symptoms take time to get better because biologics can take time to build up in your system and start working. One of the greatest advantages of biologics is that they provide sustainable results unlike pharmacological interventions, which only mask the symptoms.
Additionally, each biologic product works differently. For instance, with stem cell therapy, you won’t notice any improvements until at least one month after your session and significant symptom relief until after three to six months, or even longer. With PRP therapy, results are often noticeable several weeks after the session, and your doctor may recommend additional shots for optimal results.
Biologics Near Me in Austin, TX
If you live in Austin, Texas and in search of a reputable orthopedic practice offering biologic treatment, look no further than All-Star Orthopedics of Austin.
Dr. Carolyn Hyde, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, is a consistent recipient of the Top Doctor award – an award given to the most clinically astute and highest-performing physicians in the United States. This means that whatever treatment you consider, whether stem cell therapy, PRP therapy, or even surgery like joint replacement, you can count on her to help you achieve the best possible treatment outcome.
Book an appointment with Dr. Carolyn Hyde today. Contact our office at (512) 346-4933 or use our online appointment request form.
