Orthobiologics

What are orthobiologics?

Orthobiologics involve using substances naturally found in the body (“biologics”) to enhance the healing process for orthopedic (“ortho”) conditions. Your provider removes the cells from your body (in a simple office procedure), concentrates the cells, and then injects them into injured tissues.

What are the benefits of orthobiologics?

Orthobiolgics at the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin offer the following benefits:

• Accelerated Healing: Promotes the body's natural healing process
• Reduces Pain: Alleviates pain associated with arthritis and/or injured tissues
• Minimally Invasive: Non-surgical procedures performed through image-guided (fluoroscopy or ultrasound) injections, with minimal downtime
• Minimal risks
• Improved musculoskeletal functioning
• Reduced inflammation

What type of orthobiologics might I receive?

Orthobiologics treatments performed at the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin by Dr. Jared Greenberg include:

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP): Concentrated platelets containing growth factors

Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are blood cell fragments that circulate and help form blood clots to stop bleeding. They are also a natural source of dozens of growth factors, which initiate and accelerate tissue repair. Some of these growth factors include platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived angiogenic factor (PDAF), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). Blood is collected from the patient, and the sample is placed in a special centrifuge used to separate the blood into layers. The separated PRP portion of the blood consists of a significantly higher concentration of platelets compared to regular blood. Once injected, they stimulate a robust, localized tissue healing response, resulting in pain and functional improvement.

Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M): Inhibits cartilage degeneration in arthritis

A2M is a naturally-occurring protein found in plasma, that blocks proteases responsible for breaking down cartilage and causing arthritis. Blood is collected from the patient and then processed using a centrifuge and A2M filtration system. A concentrated A2M mixture is then injected into the diseased joint, which slows the arthritic process by preventing the further loss of cartilage, promotes tissue repair, and provides pain relief by improving chronic inflammation.

Liogems: Mesenchymal signlaing cells (MSCs) harvested and concentrated from adipose tissue promote tissue healing

Adipose tissue (fat) contains a high concentration of important reparative cells (mesenchymal signaling cells) that help promote and support the body’s natural healing process. Fat actually has 100-500 times more reparative cells than other similar tissue. Research has shown that as a person ages, their fat maintains its reparative properties, unlike other similar tissue, such as bone marrow, which may lose healing capacity over time. Microfragmented adipose tissue processed by the FDA-cleared Lipogems system is used to provide a “cushion” and support the repair, replacement, and reconstruction of arthritic or injured tissue. First, the fat is harvested using a manual liposuction technique. The tissue is then processed and cleaned using the Lipogems device, followed by injection into targeted areas to promote healing.

Learn more about Lipogems by clicking here.

Regenokine® Program: Conditioned serum containing growth factors and cytokines

The Regenokine® Program is a a multi-modal treatment program customized to the individual needs of each patient. It is a non-surgical treatment in the field of orthopedic medicine with the intent to diminish pain, improve function and restore tissue health –collectively resulting in an improvement in quality of life. 

An important building block of the Program is an injection therapy with autologous conditioned serum (ACS). The patient’s own blood is processed to obtain / concentrate a multitude of proteins, growth factors, and cytokines through physiological secretion and separation. These mediators have significant anti-inflammatory and other restorative properties. The ACS is injected into target areas causing pain (either due to arthritis / tendonitis, or injury), including spine, joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments.

Learn more about the Regenokine® Program by clicking here. 

When might I need orthobiologics for pain?

Orthobiologics are often used for conditions including, but not limited to:

• Arthritis (knee, hip, shoulder, etc.)
• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sciatica / radiculopathy
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
• Tendonitis / bursitis (rotator cuff impingement, lateral epicondylitis / tennis elbow, trochanteric / hip bursitis, etc.)
• Meniscus and labral tears
• Muscle or tendon strains
• Ligament sprains

What does the overall process of an orthobiologic treatment look like?

• Consultation with Dr. Greenberg: Discuss the patient's medical history, specific orthopedic condition, and recommended orthobiologic procedure
• Preparation: This involves a blood draw and processing for the Regenokine® Program (performed at least 24 hours prior to starting the injection series), and PRP or A2M (performed on the same day as the injections); it involves the harvest of adipose tissue and processing for Lipogems (performed on the same day as the injections)
• Injection: Precisely administering the orthobiologic substance directly into the affected area(s)
• Post-Procedural Care: Recommendations to optimize treatment results, with follow-up visits (in person or televisit) scheduled at approximately 6 and 12 weeks post procedure

If you have severe or ongoing pain or an injury that’s slow to heal, don’t wait to connect with Dr. Jared Greenberg at the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin. Call the nearest office today. 

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