What are Orthobiologics?
Orthobiologics are natural substances such as cells, blood components and growth factors that are typically used to speed up the healing of damaged tissues such as bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Orthobiologics may be obtained from your own body or a donor and are usually administered in the form of injections. They can be used in the treatment of many orthopedic conditions including wrist injuries.
Significance of Orthobiologics
Your body can repair most injuries by itself. However, with severe injuries or with advancing age, your body’s repair process may find it difficult to keep up with the damage done.
Your wrists are normally used for various activities and are prone to wear and tear. Over time, the damage to your wrists can get worse unless the body’s repair system is somehow enhanced. Orthobiologics can help boost your body’s repair system offering fast and efficacious healing naturally.
Types of Orthobiologics
We mainly employ two types of orthobiologics:
- PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma): PRP is derived from your blood which is drawn, collected and spun at high speeds in a centrifuge machine to separate out the platelets and plasma components.
- Matrix (conductive materials): These are natural bone grafts obtained from the patient or a donor and function as a medium in which new bone grows. It is used when there is a gap as a result of significant bone loss.
Orthobiologics can be utilized to treat a wide range of wrist injuries and conditions including:
- Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of your wrist joint cartilage and the underlying bone due to wear-and-tear, resulting in pain and stiffness in the wrist
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: Narrowing of carpal tunnel and compression of the median nerve due to repeated use of your wrist at work or play leading to pain, numbness or tingling and weakness in the hand
- Broken wrists: Minor fractures in your wrist caused by falls, sports activities or motor vehicle crashes
Benefits of Orthobiologic Treatments
- Simple, minimally invasive outpatient procedure
- No hospitalization or frequent hospital visits
- Nearly pain-free or no pain procedure
- Little to no risk of rejection or infection (if obtained from your body)
- Faster healing and full, long-lasting recovery (in most cases)
- Improved wrist mobility and functionality naturally
Orthobiologics offers new-generation, advanced techniques with many potential applications. It has shown promising results in the treatment of wrist injuries and conditions.
