Regenerative Medicine and Orthobiologic Treatments

Is it possible to heal by activating the body’s natural repair mechanisms? Regenerative medicine is an innovative approach that goes beyond traditional treatments, aiming to repair or restore damaged tissues and organs.

Techniques such as stem cell therapy, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), and exosome injections help stimulate the body’s own healing potential. Especially in orthopedics and sports medicine, these non-surgical solutions can offer faster recovery and reduced pain.

On this page, you’ll find detailed information about regenerative medicine techniques, who they are suitable for, and the science behind them.

What Is Regenerative Medicine?

Also known as biological treatment, regenerative medicine is bringing significant innovation and transformation to the field of orthopedics, especially in sports surgery. Still relatively new, orthobiologic injections aim to accelerate the healing of damaged tissues and help patients regain pain-free joint mobility. We recommend checking our category page for more detailed information about these powerful injection therapies.

Orthobiologic injections are not limited to non-surgical treatments — they are also widely used in orthopedic surgeries. For example, applying an orthobiologic product directly to the repair site during a meniscus repair procedure can significantly increase the success rate of the surgery.

The method of application is just as important as the product itself. Administering the injection precisely at the site of injury (directly onto the tear) increases the likelihood of treatment success. In my own clinical practice, I use ultrasound guidance for this. First, I identify the exact location of the tear on MRI, then locate it with ultrasound and apply the orthobiologic injection accordingly.

What Is Injected in Orthobiologic Treatments?

In general, two types of products are injected in orthobiologic treatments. The first includes substances derived from the patient’s own body. The second consists of biologic materials obtained from tissue banks.

Products derived from the patient include those obtained from their own blood, adipose (fat) tissue, or bone marrow.

Types of Orthobiologic Products – Regenerative Medicine Applications

• PRP and PRP Derivatives

• PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma)

• PRGF Therapy (Plasma Rich in Growth Factors)

• Sanakin (Autologous Cytokine-Rich Serum)

• Stem Cell Therapy Derived from the Patient’s Own Tissue

• Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

• Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells

• Placenta-Derived Stem Cells from Tissue Banks (Allogeneic Stem Cells)

• Exosomes Derived from Adipose Tissue

• Placenta-Derived Exosomes from Tissue Banks

In Which Conditions Are Orthobiologic Treatments Used?

Orthobiologic treatments are commonly used for both acute injuries (such as muscle tears) and chronic conditions (such as knee osteoarthritis), particularly in soft tissue, bone, joint, ligament, tendon, and cartilage problems.

In the knee joint:

• Knee osteoarthritis

• Ligament injuries (especially medial and lateral collateral ligament tears)

• Meniscus tears

• Cartilage defects

• Patellar tendinitis

• Quadriceps tendinitis

In the shoulder joint:

• Rotator cuff tears

• Supraspinatus tendinosis

• Biceps tendinosis

• SLAP lesions

• Shoulder osteoarthritis

In the elbow joint:

• Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow

• Intra-articular cartilage problems

In the hip joint:

• Hip osteoarthritis

• Labral tears

In the ankle joint:

• Ligament injuries

• Cartilage lesions

In muscle injuries:

• Common in athletes, such as hamstring, quadriceps, and calf muscle tears

In delayed bone healing (nonunion):

• Used to support fracture healing

In surgical procedures:

• To increase the success rate of operations like meniscus repair, Achilles tendon repair, and cartilage surgeries

Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Applications

Stem cells are unique cells in the body with the ability to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. Regenerative medicine uses these cells to develop innovative treatments for tissue and organ repair.

• Cartilage Repair: Stem cells can be used to treat cartilage damage in the knee joint.

• Bone Repair: They can accelerate bone healing and treat bone loss.

• Tendon and Ligament Repair: Stem cells are used in the treatment of injuries such as tendinitis and ligament tears.

To learn more about other highly effective treatment options, you can also explore our pages on Hydrogel Knee Therapy and Cortisone Injections.

How Is the Cost of Regenerative Medicine and Orthobiologic Treatments Calculated?

For a patient receiving regenerative treatment for cartilage damage in the knee joint, we offer both standalone injection therapy and injection therapy combined with surgery as treatment options.

Standalone injection therapy is typically more cost-effective; however, combining the treatment with surgery may offer a more long-term solution. The most suitable approach is selected based on the patient's specific condition and treatment preferences.

Please note that orthobiologic treatments are not covered by the national health insurance system (SGK).

Conclusion

Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies are innovative and highly effective treatment methods used in the management of joint and musculoskeletal disorders.

Among the most commonly used regenerative applications are PRP and its derivatives, Sanakin therapy, PRGF, and Hyaluronic Acid injections.

Orthobiologic treatments are frequently used for both acute injuries (like muscle tears) and chronic conditions (such as knee osteoarthritis) involving muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

If you would like to learn more about Regenerative Medicine and Orthobiologic Treatments, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our communication channels.

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