The term is a combination of ‘ortho’ (referring to the bones, joints, muscles, and tendons) and ‘biologics’, which in this context means substances that are naturally derived and that can heal orthopedic tissues.
So What Can Orthobiologics Do For You?
A partial rotator cuff tear that doesn’t heal with physical therapy; a massive rotator cuff tear that needs surgery; or you were in a car crash and your injured neck joints aren’t healing on their own are only a few common examples of chronic pain conditions that can be treated with orthobiologics. Orthobiologics has been shown to help muscles and tendons heal, inhibit cartilage breakdown, repair torn tissue, and overall help the body heal itself rather than undergoing surgery to repair or replace damaged areas.
How Many Orthobiologics Options Are There?
There are several different kinds of cell therapies that can be used to promote healing and reduce inflammation, including:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): PRP is obtained by drawing a patient’s blood and spinning it in a centrifuge in order to concentrate the clot-forming platelets from the blood with or without white blood cells. The platelets are then injected directly into the affected area to speed up healing.
- Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC): BMAC is the aspiration of a patient’s bone marrow, typically from the side of the pelvic bone. It is processed to extract a liquid rich in cells, growth factors, and a small percentage of stem cells. This liquid is injected directly into the affected area to speed up healing.
Orthobiologics are revolutionizing the way we are addressing pain care in real time. Despite this, many patients don’t realize that these substances exist and can help them recover from orthopedic injuries, often without surgery.
Contact Michigan Pain Consultants Today
Exciting medical breakthroughs occur each day and continue to keep Michigan Pain Consultants at the forefront of providing effective pain management programs in the West Michigan area.
Make an appointment for a new patient consultation with one of their board-certified pain physicians. All of Michigan Pain Consultant’s physicians are Board Certified in Anesthesiology or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and have advanced training and experience in Pain Medicine. You can begin first by visiting online at MyLifeBeyondPain.com, MichiganPain.com, or by calling them at (800)281-3237.
With six locations throughout West Michigan, Michigan Pain Consultants comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to pain care offers patients and providers renewed hope for relief from chronic pain. Chronic pain should be treated like other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or congestive heart failure. Chronic pain requires chronic treatment. The goal of the treatment is to optimize the management of the pain, as opposed to curing the pain.