With age, it is common joint degeneration, especially of the hips and knees, which support the greatest load in our day to day life and commonly develop which is known as osteoarthritis, This deterioration of articular cartilage causes pain, stiffness, and loss of function, Therefore, it may represent a significant reduction in the quality of life of those who suffer from it. There is no treatment capable of curing osteoarthritis, but therapeutic avenues have emerged in recent years to reduce its symptoms, slow its development, and achieve an improvement in the patient’s quality of life.
it is a matter loss Treatment with plasma and stem cells rich in growth factorsApplied to prevent the progression of osteoarthritis, especially in large load-bearing joints. “But its benefits go even further,” explains the doctor. Jesus Villa y RicoHead of the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Service at the Ruber Juan Bravo Hospital Complex in Madrid. “These treatments also promote cartilage repair and reduce typical symptoms of osteoarthritis, including synovial swelling, effusion, deformity, pain or loss of motion.”
plasma and stem cells
There are many patients who are benefiting from advances in regenerative medicine in areas such as aesthetic medicine, ophthalmology or dentistry, but also in traumatology. It finds its use not only in reducing recovery time in bone, muscle and tendon injuries, but in the treatment of cases of disabling osteoarthritis or where conservative treatments are not sufficient.
“It has no side effects or risk of rejection or intolerance, because the plasma comes from the patient’s own blood”
Dr. Jesus Villa y Rico in Madrid, Ruber Juan Bravo Hospital
Platelet-rich plasma from the patient’s own blood is able to promote the regeneration of tissues damaged by osteoarthritis, thanks to the proteins and substances it contains. Stem cell treatments also allow the regeneration of these tissues. “Growth factors produce biological effects such as cell proliferation and differentiation, the generation of blood vessels and the migration of cells to sites where regeneration is necessary,” explains Dr. Villa. “No exogenous agent can mediate all of these processes so effectively.”
no payment term
Treatment is carried out under medical prescription, in a sterile environment and with local anesthesia. “For its application, blood is first taken from the patient, then it is processed and part of the plasma rich in growth factors is infiltrated into the area to be treated. This process may take 25 to 40 minutes», says the traumatologist.
With regard to the number of infiltrates, the protocol varies depending on the pathology. The Head of the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology Service of the Ruber Juan Bravo Hospital Complex in Madrid specifies that, In the specific case of joint pathologyWhat happens most often, is done three sessions for three consecutive weeks, with a refresher session after six months or one year if growth is favourable. Infiltration does not mean a period of recovery, so that the patient can lead a normal life from the very first moment.
surgery option
The main benefit of this type of treatment is “improvement in symptoms, namely reduction of pain and swelling”. In case of tendon and muscle injuries, it has been proven that it accelerates healing. Too No side effects or risk of rejection or intolerance, because the plasma comes from the patient’s own blood,” Dr. Villa says. “This treatment is contraindicated only in case of local infections, neoplastic processes, and certain blood diseases,” he explains.
In the specific case of stem cell treatment, infiltration represents an alternative to reconstructive surgery for chronic tendinopathies, acute tendon tears, chronic tendon tears and ligament tears, and osteonecrosis. « In ligament surgery, such as the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee, exceptional results have also been obtained. in case of muscle injuryMore important than the reduction in recovery time is the use of plasma rich in growth factors. Allows recovery without the formation of fibrous tissue“, experts say. It is also used in adjuvant treatment of osteochondral injuries in favor of the regenerative process of fibrocartilage, as well as in patellar tendon pathology, acute or chronic tendinitis, and ligamentous injuries.
