Treatment with Your Own Blood for Bone and Joint Diseases

Treatment with Your Own Blood for Bone and Joint Diseases

The biologic treatment methods, which have become widespread in all medical fields, also offer a solution for orthopaedic problems. Administration of adequate quantities of PRP or stem cells with an accurate method increases success in the treatment for bone and joint diseases. Prof. Mahir Mahiroğulları, M.D, from the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at Memorial Ataşehir and Şişli Hospitals tells us about PRP and stem cell treatments for bone and joint diseases.

Successful results are achieved for chronic problems

PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) may be defined as blood plasma rich in platelets. Blood obtained from an individual is processed with a special method. There are platelets present in PRP. These platelets and blood plasma contain the necessary factors for healing. These factors start a direct healing process in the diseased part of the body. Moreover, they ensure that other regenerative cells which are present attack the diseased part. Therefore, regeneration is stimulated in damages formed in early period or in chronic problems.

PRP may be used for epin calcanei and meniscus injuries

PRP is an efficient biologic treatment for orthopaedic problems. It is frequently used for several problems such as Achilles tendonitis or elbow tendonitis, epin calcanei, early tendon and muscle injuries, early knee arthritis, cartilage and meniscus injuries, as a treatment augmenter after surgical procedure or shoulder tendon problems, and successful results are obtained.

Experienced persons should use this procedure

Choosing the part of blood rich in “platelets” and injecting it in an appropriate ratio to the patient are important for PRP treatment. Although, nowadays, PRP treatment is administered in many centres, there may be some cases, where plasma richness cannot be standardised or administration dose cannot be adjusted appropriately. Such differences may affect the success of the treatment. Therefore, content and proportion of blood should be determined correctly. It is also important, whether PRP will be administered in activated form or not.

Stem cell treatment with abdominal or pubic fat

Although sometimes they may be used for the same purposes, PRP and stem cell treatments are different treatment methods. PRP treatment is not a stem cell treatment. The preparation and administration of stem cells are different than that of PRP.

Choosing the appropriate stem cell is important

Stem cells may be obtained by three different methods. First group, which is known as the “stromal vascular fraction”, contains stem cells obtained from abdominal or pubic fat. These fat tissues obtained under local or general anaesthetics include large amounts of stem cells. Stem cells found in fat are aggregated by means of special processes, enzymes and filters.

Treatment may also be planned with stem cells originating from the bone marrow, which are obtained from wide parts of the hip bone or leg bones by using special injectors. The obtained materials will be prepared by processing with enzymes and filters.

Finally, treatment may be planned with stem cell cultures. The obtained stem cells may be grown in sterile form on cell culture in special laboratories and more stem cells may be obtained. Three or four weeks later, it may be administered to the patient.

There are many areas for utilisation of stem cells

Stem cell treatments may be utilised for articular cartilage damages, knee arthritis, tendon problems with long healing period, ununited fractures, avascular necroses and cartilage patches. Orthopaedic surgeon decides on the stem cell to be administered and on the appropriate ratio for administration, and performs the procedure.