Injections

• Minimally Invasive: Biologic therapy is generally a minimally invasive procedure, often performed in clinic,, which can lead to quicker recovery times compared to more invasive procedures.
• Versatility: Biologics can be used for various conditions in Orthopaedic Surgery, jumpstarting the healing process no matter the injury. 
• Reduction of Pain: Biologics have been shown to reduce pain and improve function in conditions such as osteoarthritis and tendonitis.
• Enhanced Healing: Biologics contains growth factors and proteins that can enhance tissue regeneration, improve collagen production, and stimulate cell proliferation, leading to faster and more effective healing.
• Safety: Since Biologics are derived from the patient’s own blood, there is a lower risk of infection or allergic reactions compared to treatments involving foreign substances.
• Non-surgical Option: Biologic therapy can often be used as an alternative to surgery or as an adjunct therapy to enhance the outcomes of surgical procedures.
• Long-lasting Results: Many patients experience long-lasting relief and improvements in their symptoms after biologic treatment, potentially delaying or eliminating the need for more invasive interventions.
• Potential Cost Savings: Biologics may result in cost savings over time by reducing the need for medications, physical therapy, or surgery.
• Minimal Side Effects: While some patients may experience temporary discomfort or mild side effects such as bruising or swelling at the injection site, Biologic therapy generally has few adverse effects.

At Catalyst Orthopaedics, we are equipped to offer multiple options for Biologic treatments:

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections 

Platelet Rich Plasma (or PRP) is commonly used to treat a variety of orthopaedic conditions. PRP injections utilize a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate healing. PRP therapy works by harnessing the natural healing properties of platelets, which are tiny cell fragments found in blood. Here’s how PRP therapy typically works:

• Collection of Blood: The process begins with the collection of a small sample of the patient’s own blood, usually from a vein in the arm.
• Centrifugation: The collected blood sample is then placed in a centrifuge, a machine that spins rapidly to separate its components based on their densities. During centrifugation, the platelets are concentrated and separated from other blood components such as red blood cells and plasma.
• Preparation of PRP: Once the centrifugation process is complete, the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is extracted from the sample. The concentration of platelets in PRP is typically much higher than that found in regular blood.
• Injection or Application: The prepared PRP is then injected directly into the target area requiring treatment, such as an injured tendon, joint, muscle, or surgical site. 
• Activation of Healing: Once injected into the injured, damaged, or repaired tissue, the platelets release various growth factors and bioactive proteins that stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. These growth factors help promote tissue repair, angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), collagen production, and cell proliferation.
• Tissue Regeneration: Over time, the growth factors released by the platelets facilitate tissue regeneration and remodeling, leading to improved function, reduced pain, and enhanced healing of the treated area.
• Follow-up: Depending on the specific condition being treated and the individual patient’s response, multiple PRP injections may be administered over a period of weeks or months to optimize results. Patients may also undergo physical therapy or other supportive treatments as part of their overall management plan.

At Catalyst Orthopaedics, we are equipped to offer multiple options for Biologic treatments:

• Preparation of PRP: Once the centrifugation process is complete, the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is extracted from the sample. The concentration of platelets in PRP is typically much higher than that found in regular blood.
• Injection or Application: The prepared PRP is then injected directly into the target area requiring treatment, such as an injured tendon, joint, muscle, or surgical site. 
• Activation of Healing: Once injected into the injured, damaged, or repaired tissue, the platelets release various growth factors and bioactive proteins that stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. These growth factors help promote tissue repair, angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), collagen production, and cell proliferation.
• Tissue Regeneration: Over time, the growth factors released by the platelets facilitate tissue regeneration and remodeling, leading to improved function, reduced pain, and enhanced healing of the treated area.
• Follow-up: Depending on the specific condition being treated and the individual patient’s response, multiple PRP injections may be administered over a period of weeks or months to optimize results. Patients may also undergo physical therapy or other supportive treatments as part of their overall management plan.

Stem Cell Injections/Iliac Crest Bone Marrow Aspirate 

Stem cell injections are a form of regenerative medicine that utilizes the body’s own stem cells or those derived from other sources to promote tissue repair, regeneration, and healing. 

Iliac Crest Bone Marrow Aspirate:

Iliac Crest Bone Marrow Aspirate, or BMA, is an injection of concentrated stem cells that are extracted from the iliac crest (hip bone). The iliac crest has the highest concentration and quality of stem cells in the body, and is often the target of stem cell retrieval as a result. Stem cells are unique in the fact that they are a universal cell and can transform into any cell in the body. Once they transform, they take on the role and function of that specific cell, and can be incredibly beneficial for healing.

Some potential benefits of stem cell injections include:

• Tissue Regeneration: Stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types, including bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat cells. When injected into damaged or injured tissues, stem cells can promote the regeneration of healthy tissue, aiding in the repair of injured structures.
• Reduced Inflammation: Stem cells produce anti-inflammatory molecules that can help reduce inflammation in the body. By modulating the inflammatory response, stem cell injections may alleviate pain and discomfort associated with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, and autoimmune diseases.
• Improved Healing: Stem cells release growth factors and cytokines that stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. These bioactive molecules promote angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), enhance collagen production, and stimulate cell proliferation, leading to accelerated healing of injured tissues.
• Pain Relief: Stem cell injections have been shown to provide pain relief for individuals suffering from chronic pain conditions, such as osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and tendon injuries. By promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation, stem cells can help alleviate pain and improve overall joint function.
• Minimally Invasive: Stem cell injections are typically performed as outpatient procedures and are minimally invasive compared to surgical interventions. This results in shorter recovery times, reduced risk of complications, and fewer postoperative restrictions.
• Long-lasting Results: Many patients experience long-lasting improvements in their symptoms following stem cell therapy, potentially delaying or even eliminating the need for more invasive treatments such as surgery or joint replacement.
• Personalized Treatment: Stem cell therapy can be tailored to the individual patient’s needs and condition. Stem cells can be harvested from various sources, including adipose tissue (fat), bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, or amniotic fluid, and processed to isolate the desired cell population for injection.
• Potential for Disease Modification: In some cases, stem cell therapy may not only provide symptomatic relief but also modify the underlying disease process. By promoting tissue regeneration and modulating the immune response, stem cells have the potential to slow down or halt the progression of degenerative conditions 

Learn more about Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Explore Orthobiologics in Fracture Healing
Download our AAOS Biologics Infographic for a quick overview

If you are interested in discussing Biologic options further, please contact us.