OAZ Biologics Program

What are Orthobiologics or Biologic treatments?

This includes cells, blood components, growth factors, human donor tissue, and other naturally occurring substances that promote the body’s essential ability to heal and decrease inflammation

Are Biologic treatments safe?

Yes, additionally this is an area with heavy research interest in continuing to expand and provide effective treatment options for patients who qualify for biologic treatments

Our physicians recommend the safest and most effective biologic treatments based on the patient’s unique history and clinical condition

Biologic treatments available at our office

At OAZ our physicians offer biologic treatments to include platelet rich plasma (PRP) and cartilage transplantation for qualified patients.

These biologic treatments can be used as a single treatment, to enhance surgical procedures, or as surgical procedures themselves in certain scenarios.

Who is a candidate?

PRP injections:

Cartilage transplantation:

What are specific conditions that we recommend biologic treatments for?

After a thorough evaluation by our physicians we typically recommend biologic treatment for:

Biologic injections available at our office

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP): A patient’s blood is drawn and then placed in a special device called a centrifuge to separate the platelets and growth factors essential for healing the damaged area. These isolated platelets and growth factors are then injected into the damaged area. In certain situations, PRP can be injected into the surgical site to aid in the healing process

Cartilage Transplantation surgical procedures available at our office

These procedures are typically reserved for the knee but there are isolated applications of these surgical procedures in other joints like the shoulder and elbow

Osteochondral Autograft transplantation: This surgery is reserved for patients with relatively small area of cartilage loss. A small area of a patient’s own healthy cartilage and bone is harvested in a non-weightbearing region and transplanted to the area of cartilage loss recreating the cartilage and bone surface

Osteochondral Allograft transplantation: This surgery is reserved for patients with relatively large areas of cartilage loss. Donor cartilage is shaped to fit perfectly into the patient’s area of cartilage loss recreating the cartilage and bone surface

Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: This is a two-stage procedure that requires a diagnostic arthroscopy in the first stage to harvest cartilage from the patient’s knee. These cartilage cells are then grown in a lab where they are later implanted during the second stage surgery.

Meniscus Transplantation: This surgery is reserved for patients who previously had their meniscus removed surgically due to injury and now have persistent knee pain and swelling. A donor size-matched meniscus is arthroscopically sewn in place acting as the new meniscus.

Insurance considerations

Some of these procedures are still considered investigational (experimental) by insurance carriers and may be a self-pay service only.

Non-Operative Management of Osteoarthritis

What is Osteoarthritis (OA)?

This includes cells, blood components, growth factors, human donor tissue, and other naturally occurring substances that promote the body’s essential ability to heal and decrease inflammation

How can it be treated non-operatively?

Physical therapy/activity

Ice

Neuromuscular Electric Stimulation (NMES)

Bracing

Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate oral supplements

Turmeric oral supplement

Injections

Cortisone injection
An anti-inflammatory steroid that when injected into the joint provides pain relief and decreases inflammation.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injection
In joints, synovial fluid fills the space to allow bones to glide smoothly and to provide further shock absorption and protection. A main component of synovial fluid is HA.
Often in OA, there is breakdown of HA in the joint.
Thus, a supplement in HA increases the lubrication, strength, and protection of synovial fluid which may reduce the symptoms of OA.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Injection
In a PRP injection, blood containing a high platelet concentration is drawn from the patient and injected into the affected joint. The PRP stimulates healing and reduces pain and stiffness. Insurance may not cover PRP.
Stem Cell Treatment
Stem cells are obtained through different means, either from the hip, adipose fat or donor cells. Through simple processing, the stem cells are introduced into the affected joint to decrease inflammation, potentially slow cartilage degeneration, and decrease pain.
It does not regrow cartilage cells
Insurance may not cover stem cells.

Patient Resources

Platelets Matter - A Patient's Guide to PRP

Gradual breakdown of articular cartilage within a joint. OA is typically caused by wear and tear and worsens over time. It most often occurs in individuals over the age of 50 but can be present in younger patients. Individuals with OA may experience pain, swelling, stiffness and/or limited range of motion.

VISCO-3 Sodium Hyaluronate

What other treatments are available? If you have osteoarthritis, there are several things that you can do that do not involve VISCO-3 Sodium Hyaluronate injections.

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