Have you been told by your doctor that you need joint replacement surgery? If so, you're not alone. Millions of Americans each year are faced with the prospect of major surgery to relieve pain and restore function to their joints.
But what if there were another way? Recent advances in orthobiologics may give enough pain relief and functional improvement that some people can avoid major joint replacement surgery. Orthobiologics are natural substances such as cells, tissue, blood components, and growth factors that may be used to replace lost tissue, stimulate regeneration and healing, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve joint function.
What is joint replacement surgery, and why is it performed?
Joint replacement surgery is performed to relieve chronic joint pain and improve reduced mobility due to a variety of conditions, such as damage due to accidents and degeneration. The two most common types of joint replacement surgery are on the hips and knees. In fact, 10.4 percent of U.S. adults have had a total knee replacement by the age of 80, and 5.2 percent a total hip replacement.
Joint replacement surgery doesn’t come without risk. According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, the risk for heart attack is 31 times higher in people after this procedure compared to those in the general population. Other risks include infection, bleeding, and loosening of the new joint over time.
Ways orthobiologics may help you avoid joint replacement surgery
The good news is that you may be able to avoid joint replacement surgery using orthobiologics. For certain patients, orthobiologic treatments may help them avoid or delay the need for more invasive options like joint replacement surgery.
Some orthobiologic therapies that can have positive effects on the body’s joints include:
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is one type of regenerative medicine that uses your body’s own healing properties to work to repair damaged joints, tendons, and muscles. After your blood is drawn, the PRP is made in the office by concentrating the platelets before injecting them into the area that needs treatment.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)
Bone marrow concentrate (BMC) is another type of therapy that uses cells derived from the patient’s own body. Bone marrow, which will regenerate over time, is removed from the body and used to create bone marrow concentrate. The cells, proteins, and growth factors in the plasma are then used to treat a variety of conditions, including degenerative joint disease.
These are both minimally invasive, low-risk treatments that can positively impact your body’s joints. Specifically, they have the potential to reduce pain, improve range of motion and function, and promote healing. If you’d like to avoid joint replacement therapy, you owe it to yourself to investigate these options.
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