Chronic pain or acute injuries can keep you from your work and enjoying your family life. For people living with this ongoing pain for weeks, months and years, this non-surgical option can provide great promise.
Orthobiologics, sometimes referred to as regenerative medicine, may help you postpone or avoid altogether, joint replacement or other surgical procedures. And while surgical options produce excellent results, the new world of orthobiologics may provide you with alternative, non-surgical options to relieve your pain, helping you get back to living faster.
Orthobiologics have been employed to help either with pain relief or healing of orthopedic ailments. Generally, its use can be placed into one of four categories of orthopedic injuries:
Dr. Bremner’s practice encompasses most areas of general orthopedics, though he has special interests in sports medicine, arthroscopy, elbow injuries and joint replacement.
Dr. Brunkhorst specializes in shoulder and knee arthroscopy, knee ligament reconstruction, shoulder arthroplasty, cartilage restoration, and joint injections.
Mark Fox, M.D. focuses on primary care for sports medicine and enjoys helping others achieve their athletic goals.
Dr. Honkamp's orthopaedic practice specializes in all aspects of shoulder and knee injuries from arthroscopic treatments to joint replacement.
Dr. Isaacson specializes in various knee, hip, and shoulder care.
Dr. Lin's practice encompasses most area of general orthopedics, including special interests in joint replacement, arthroscopy and sports medicine as well as trauma care.
Dr. Chris Nelson's practice focuses on the areas of hip and knee surgeries.
Dr. Jason Sullivan performs surgery on the shoulder, knee, hip and elbow. His practice has special focus on restorative surgery for the active patient.
Dr. Sullivan's practice focuses on hip, knee and shoulder replacement surgeries.
By definition, PRP is a collection of growth factors (which are proteins that are important in the healing of injuries), that can have controlled levels of white and red blood cells, based on the healing process necessary. Laboratory studies have shown that the increased concentration of growth factors in PRP can potentially speed up the healing process. Many world-class athletes use PRP therapy to repair their sports injuries faster.
This injection serves to help as a local anti-inflammatory and reset the body’s natural balance in the arthritic joint. In technical terms, APS is a denatured PRP that delivers proteins, which block arthritic pain receptors. APS may be the preferred course of treatment based on if the patient exhibits radiographic evidence of knee, hip or shoulder OA (osteoarthritis).
Technically, BMAC is a collection of growth factors and cells, which include stem cells. Physicians use BMAC when they believe the potential upside of containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is necessary for treatment.
LIPOGEMS® technology is used for patients that are not ready for a major surgery or can be added to surgery to optimize healing of injured tissue. Using a minimally invasive procedure to harvest the patient’s adipose tissue, LIPOGEMS® system gently cleans the tissue using only saline and micro-fragments it to an optimal size for injecting. LIPOGEMS® is FDA cleared for use in orthopaedics and arthroscopic surgery and meets the FDA guidelines for minimal manipulation and is intended for homologous use.
Currently, DMOS offers options for common shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and wrist/hand conditions. These conditions include arthritis, ligament/tendon/muscle injuries, avascular necrosis, bursitis, labrum tears, meniscus tears, or patellofemoral syndrome/chondromalacia.
By definition, PRP is a collection of growth factors (which are proteins that are important in the healing of injuries), that can have controlled levels of white and red blood cells, based on the healing process necessary. Laboratory studies have shown that the increased concentration of growth factors in PRP can potentially speed up the healing process. Many world-class athletes use PRP therapy to repair their sports injuries faster.
Technically, BMAC is a collection of growth factors and cells, which include stem cells. Physicians use BMAC when they believe the potential upside of containing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is necessary for treatment.
Orthobiologics is relatively new – even though pro athletes have had this option available for decades. Because of this, insurance companies consider regenerative medicine a new treatment option and do not cover it. These treatment options are provided at DMOS as a cash-only option.
“Stem cells” is a term often used by the general public to describe orthobioloic injections originating from tissues thought to contain stem cells. These cells can come from your own body (autologous) or someone else (allograft). Allograft “stem cells” come from many sources including amniotic fluid, placenta or umbilical cord which is harvested at the time of birth. Allograft stem cells are available at DMOS by request only and will need to be reviewed by the physician to evaluate for safety. The “stem cells” used most commonly at DMOS come from a bone marrow aspirate (pelvis). They are believed to develop into many types of cells as well as replace and restore tissue function.
Some complications which could be associated with regenerative medicine include a failed procedure, or temporary swelling and/or increased pain.
At DMOS, we only allow specifically trained physicians to perform these injections, ensuring your safety. The procedures take place at any of our DMOS clinics where you will have access to other treatment options like physical therapy and surgery. Our focus is centered only around patient outcomes and satisfaction as we are not industry sponsored or biased towards a specific product line or treatment method. We also have the ability to utilize regenerative medicine in addition to a surgical procedure if recommended by your doctor.
To ensure the cells are placed in the correct location we utilize many different tools such as musculoskeletal ultrasound and real-time X-ray in addition to utilizing your prior X-rays and MRI.
The results vary from patient to patient, but you will typically begin to see results 1 to 3 months after the treatment. However, some patients do not begin to see results until 6 to 9 months after treatment. We recommend a period of rest and physical therapy to many patients after their injection.
At DMOS, we commit ourselves to individualizing our treatment strategies. All options are available to DMOS patients. We are the experts in treating musculoskeletal conditions both nonoperatively and through surgery which gives us a better understanding of who is a candidate for regenerative medicine. Ideal candidates range from patients with early to moderate arthritis to an individual with a partial muscle strain/ligament injury or someone struggling with tennis/golfers elbow. There are many applicable scenarios for regenerative medicine. If you do not like the idea of surgery, ask about regenerative medicine, each provider is prepared to discuss this with their patients. After examining your medical records, your physician will determine if regenerative medicine is an option for your conditions.
A total of 50-200cc may be drawn (less than half a pint). Depending on your weight, a smaller amount of blood may be drawn.
The orthobiologic procedure (BMAC, PRP etc) is similar to a typical shot you receive at a doctor’s office. We recommend that you speak with your physician regarding expectations for the procedure; this may vary depending on condition and location of injection.
The stem cell implantation procedure is similar to a typical shot you receive at a doctor’s office.
Drink extra amounts of water prior to your appointment. Stop using corticosteroids or NSAID anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), a week before therapy.
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