Table of Contents:
- What are orthobiological stem cells?
- Why is it performed?
- What does it consist of?
- Preparation for the treatment
- Post-procedure care
- Alternatives
What are orthobiological stem cells?
Orthobiologic stem cell therapy is a science that deals with the repair of tissues of the locomotor system from autologous biological substances, that is to say, secreted by the patient himself. In short, it is a technique that pursues the healing and replacement of tissues in the treatment of bone and soft tissue pathologies.
In orthobiological treatments with stem cells, the patient’s own cell is used as a medicine, since it has the necessary properties to regenerate and repair injured tissues. The aim of the treatment is to inject stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged joints, tendons and muscles.
On the other hand, stem cells have in their composition a series of molecules that have a great anti-inflammatory action, so that it can contribute to relieve pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.
Why is it performed?
This treatment is performed in the field of Traumatology and Sports Medicine with the aim of reducing the recovery time of injuries. In this way, a double objective can be achieved: to accelerate the functional recovery of the patient and to reduce the degree of pain he/she suffers.
In this sense, the use of stem cells in Orthobiological treatments are indicated for the following problems:
- Chronic tendinitis
- Chondromalacia
- Cartilage injuries
- Muscle injuries
- Fractures
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Epicondylitis
- Ligamentous affections
- Pseudoarthrosis
- Osteoarthritis
What does it consist of?
In orthobiological treatments with stem cells, which can be performed both in office and outpatient surgery, the procedures to follow to administer the cells may be as follows:
- Infiltrations
- Surgery
On the one hand, infiltrations are usually ultrasound-guided or fluoroscopic therapies. And, on the other hand, with regard to surgery, it can be open or arthroscopic.
Preparation for orthobiologic stem cells
Before performing the treatment with orthobiological stem cells, a series of studies will be carried out prior to the injection.
Once this has been done, it is important to extract the stem cells from the patient himself, obtaining them by means of a mini-liposuction procedure. These cells are then cultured and implanted by injection.
Care after the procedure
After treatment with orthobiologic stem cells, the patient must follow the recommendations offered by the specialist in charge of the treatment.
Alternatives to this treatment (other more advanced treatments)
This treatment constitutes an alternative therapy to many other conventional treatments for the indications it has, because it allows accelerating the functional recovery of the patient and reducing the degree of pain he/she suffers.