ORTHOBIOLOGICS IN TEMPE ARIZONA

Orthobiologics can offer a more natural & biologically fitting solution for fixing injuries in muscles and bones.

Orthobiologics is a rapidly evolving field that involves the use of biological materials and techniques to enhance the healing and repair of musculoskeletal injuries. This can include the use of growth factors, stem cells, and other biologic agents to promote the regeneration of bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

Orthobiologics: The Future of Healing in Sports and Orthopedic Medicine

Traditional approaches, such as surgery or long-term pharmaceutical management, often involve invasive procedures and carry the risk of complications, side effects, or prolonged recovery times. In contrast, orthobiologics harness the body’s own healing mechanisms, promoting repair and regeneration at the cellular level. This field is rapidly transforming sports medicine and orthopedics, offering innovative, minimally invasive alternatives for athletes and active individuals.

What Are Orthobiologics?

Orthobiologics are biological substances—derived from the patient’s own body or from biologically compatible sources—that stimulate healing, tissue repair, and regeneration. These treatments leverage natural processes such as inflammation, cellular recruitment, and growth factor signaling to repair injured tissue.

Orthobiologics are now used for:

  • Sports injuries (tendon tears, ligament sprains, muscle injuries)

  • Arthritis and joint degeneration

  • Cartilage injuries

  • Post-surgical recovery

  • Chronic overuse conditions (tennis elbow, rotator cuff tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, etc.)

Categories of Orthobiologic Treatments

1. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

  • Concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood deliver powerful growth factors.

  • Stimulates collagen production, reduces inflammation, and enhances tendon/ligament healing.

  • Evidence: PRP is supported in numerous trials for tendinopathy and knee osteoarthritis 【Mishra et al., Am J Sports Med 2014; Filardo et al., Arthroscopy 2015】.

2. Stem Cell–Based Therapies

  • Sources include bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and adipose-derived stem cells.

  • Provide progenitor cells and cytokines that stimulate new tissue growth.

  • Shown to improve pain and function in osteoarthritis and cartilage defects 【Centeno et al., Stem Cells Int 2014】.

3. Growth Factor Concentrates

  • Autologous conditioned serum (ACS) and other biologics focus on anti-inflammatory proteins (e.g., IL-1 receptor antagonist).

  • Help modulate chronic inflammation in arthritis and tendon injuries 【Baltzer et al., Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2009】.

4. Extracellular Vesicles & Exosomes (emerging)

  • Nanoparticles secreted by stem cells that carry signaling proteins, mRNA, and microRNA.

  • Early studies suggest potential in reducing inflammation and promoting cartilage regeneration 【Mendt et al., Stem Cells Transl Med 2019】.

Why Orthobiologics Are Becoming Standard of Care

  1. Less Invasive Than Surgery
    Many injuries once requiring surgery (meniscus tears, partial ligament injuries) are now treated with biologics, often avoiding or delaying surgical intervention.

  2. Reduced Reliance on Medications
    Orthobiologics offer regenerative solutions without the long-term side effects of NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, or opioids.

  3. Proven Clinical Outcomes

    • PRP is now included in AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) guidelines for knee osteoarthritis and lateral epicondylitis.

    • FIFA and the NFL both incorporate biologics into player care.

  4. Faster Return to Play
    Athletes treated with orthobiologics often resume activity sooner than with standard conservative care alone 【Hamid et al., Am J Sports Med 2014】.

Key Studies Supporting Orthobiologics

  • PRP for Tennis Elbow: Mishra et al., Am J Sports Med 2014 – demonstrated sustained pain relief and functional improvement.

  • PRP for Knee OA: Filardo et al., Arthroscopy 2015 – multiple RCTs confirming PRP improves pain and function over hyaluronic acid.

  • Stem Cells for OA: Centeno et al., Stem Cells Int 2014 – BMAC improved pain and function in knee osteoarthritis patients.

  • Growth Factor Concentrates: Baltzer et al., Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2009 – ACS reduced pain and improved mobility in knee OA.

  • Exosomes: Mendt et al., Stem Cells Transl Med 2019 – highlighted potential for immune modulation and cartilage repair.

Who Can Benefit?

  • Athletes seeking faster recovery and long-term joint preservation.

  • Active individuals managing chronic musculoskeletal pain.

  • Patients with degenerative arthritis who want to avoid or delay joint replacement.

  • Post-surgical patients looking to optimize healing.

Looking Ahead

Orthobiologics are no longer considered “alternative.” They are becoming mainstream in sports medicine—from professional leagues to clinical practice. As ongoing research refines protocols, orthobiologics are expected to continue replacing or complementing traditional surgical and pharmaceutical treatments, ushering in a new standard of care focused on regeneration rather than replacement.

There are a wide variety of orthobiologic therapies that are currently being studied and used in clinical practice.

Platelet Plasma (P.R.P.)

PRP is a concentrated solution of platelets that are obtained from the patient's own blood. These platelets contain growth factors that can promote the healing of soft tissue injuries, such as tendinitis and ligament sprains.

Exosome Therapy

Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to differentiate into various types of cells, including bone and cartilage. Stem cell therapy involves the injection of stem cells into the site of an injury to promote the regeneration of damaged tissue.

Growth Factor Therapy

Growth factors are proteins that help tissues grow and heal naturally. We utilize growth factors include the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) for the treatment of spinal fractures and other bone injuries.

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Orthobiologics F.A.Q.

In recent years, orthobiologics have garnered widespread attention in the realm of sports medicine and orthopedics due to their remarkable potential in facilitating the body's innate healing mechanisms. Consequently, numerous patients find themselves inquisitive about this pioneering therapeutic avenue. To cater to this curiosity, we have meticulously assembled a catalog of commonly asked questions pertaining to orthobiologics, with the aim of furnishing all-encompassing insights and resolution of prevalent apprehensions that individuals might harbor when contemplating this course of treatment.

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  • Orthobiologics are substances derived from the body that are used to help injuries and conditions heal more quickly. They can be derived from substances such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow, or other tissue sources. These substances help promote the body's natural healing processes.

  • Orthobiologics are commonly used to treat injuries and conditions affecting the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. This can include conditions such as tendonitis, ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and other musculoskeletal injuries.

  • Orthobiologics can be administered through injections directly into the affected area. The specific method and frequency of administration will depend on the individual's condition and the type of orthobiologic being used.

  • Orthobiologics are derived from the patient's own body or from donor sources and are generally considered safe. As with any medical treatment, there are potential risks and side effects, which will be thoroughly discussed with the patient prior to treatment.

  • The success of orthobiologics can vary depending on the individual's condition, overall health, and other factors. Many patients experience positive outcomes and improvements in their symptoms after undergoing orthobiologic treatment.

  • Coverage for orthobiologic treatment can vary depending on the specific type of treatment, the patient's insurance plan, and the reason for treatment. Our team can work with patients to determine insurance coverage and explore alternative payment options if necessary.

  • Patients interested in orthobiologic treatment should schedule a consultation with our qualified orthopedic sports medicine physician. During the consultation, the physician will evaluate the patient's condition, discuss treatment options, and answer any questions to help the patient make an informed decision.