Tendinopathy Stem cell and PRP therapy

Both early or severe joint diseases can benefit from these treatments given their anti-inflammatory properties. Indeed, biological products contain cells and/or molecules able to restore the joint homeostasis with direct clinical and functional benefits. The treatments are non–invasive and in case of failure do not impede any further treatment/therapy. All the biological products are prepared from portion of tissue belonging to the patient (autologous  treatment, donor = recipient) and prepared according to the highest standard of quality required for these procedures. The devices used to obtain these products have been selected accurately by a panel of expert basing on their clinic efficacy as reported in literature. The biological products are used both alone as injective treatments or in association with intra-articular surgical procedures for cartilage repair. These treatments are indicated in patients of all ages, although literature report better outcomes in the youngest ones.

Regenerative medicine treatments can be successfully used on young patients suffering from arthrosis to reduce the pain symptoms with the aim of delaying a prosthetic surgery, without producing in the meantime any damage or deficit to the patient and leaving open all the possible subsequent surgical possibilities. Even for elderly patients, regenerative medicine represents a valid solution to control pain and maintain a good level of functionality of the joint without the need to resort to invasive procedures, often not feasible due to concomitant diseases.

Similarly, in the sports patient, amateur or semi-professional, these treatments are increasingly in demand and practiced because they are non-invasive, reduce pain and allow a rapid return to sport. Due to the increasing number of patients suffering from arthrosis, many of which are still young and with high functional needs, conservative treatments aimed at slowing down the worsening of the arthritic picture assume more and more value and importance.

Regenerative medicine offers three different types of treatment, each based on specific therapeutic mechanisms. The effects have different duration and intensity depending on the specific characteristics of the patient.

Infiltration of platelet concentrates (PRP, Growth Factors). PRP is a concentrated fraction of blood that contains a high concentration of platelets and therefore of growth factors contained in them, which can participate in the restoration of homeostasis (physiological condition) of the tissue by promoting its regeneration. Depending on the judgment of the specialist and the type of treatment chosen, it can be performed once or repeated at intervals of one or two weeks.

The treatment has the following steps:

• The patient undergoes a venous blood draw (the volume of blood drawn varies depending on the processing system).
• The collected blood undergoes a high-speed centrifugation process to obtain platelet concentrate.
• Infiltration of platelet concentrate into the affected site (with or without ultrasound).

Total procedure time is approximately 30 minutes.

Infiltration of adipose tissue derivatives (MSC - Mesenchymal Stem Cells). Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells that have the ability to contribute to tissue healing through the production of a wide range of growth factors and molecules that interact with the resident cells of the treated tissues (cartilage and synovial membrane cells).

The treatment has the following steps:

• The patient undergoes a mini-liposuction procedure to harvest adipose tissue (under appropriate anesthesiological protocol, mild sedation and local anesthesia).
• Collection of approximately 60-80 cc of adipose tissue. In 90% of cases, adipose tissue is harvested from the abdomen, but in some patients it may be necessary to harvest tissue from other areas such as buttocks, hips, inner thighs.
• Isolated fat is washed, fragmented or separated.
• Infiltration of the final product into the pathological site, with ultrasound guidance, where required.
• Abdomen dressing.

The total time of the procedure is 1 hour, followed by the normal recovery time of the anesthetic treatment undergone.

Infiltration of bone marrow derivatives (MSC - Mesenchymal Stem Cells). Bone marrow contains, although in reduced quantities, a population of mesenchymal stem cells that are now believed to be able to promote the restoration of tissue homeostasis (a physiological condition) by controlling inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration.

• The patient undergoes a marrow harvest directly from the iliac crest (under appropriate anesthesiological protocol).
• Extracted bone marrow is washed and processed directly in the operating room.
• Infiltration of the final product into the pathological site, with ultrasound guidance, where required.

The total time of the procedure is 1 hour, followed by the normal recovery time of the anesthetic treatment undergone.

All treatments are carried out in the operating room to ensure absolute sterility and safety of the clinical course.