3 3
A U G U S T 2 0 1 4 | S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
particularly helpful for patients undergoing wrist fracture repairs, for whom general
anesthesia is contraindicated.
Regional anesthesia also limits or eliminates the need for opioids to manage
patients' post-op discomfort, which lessens risks of nausea, vomiting and respi-
U P P E R E X T R E M I T I E S
Orthopedic surgeons are using natural sub-
stances found in the body and genetically engi-
neered materials to speed the healing of bone
fractures and return functionality to pre-injury
levels. Here's a brief primer on how orthobiolog-
ics improve patients' recoveries.
• Growth factors.
Human growth factors are the natural proteins found in the body that
help heal injured areas. The proteins attract stem cells to the injury site, where they
develop into "repair" cells. This chemoattraction is effective only when there's an ade-
quate blood supply around the injured area. Genetic engineering can produce higher
quantities of the natural growth factors found in bones. In addition, synthetic bone mor-
phogenetic proteins can be produced to aid in muscle, tendon and cartilage healing.
• Matrix.
This is the conductive material that houses the stem cells during the healing
process. Autograft (taken from the patient) and allograft (taken from a cadaver) bone
grafts are typically used to form a base for stem cells in gaps where injured bones are
missing or have broken into small pieces. Calcium phosphate, with properties that closely
resemble human bone, is also used to fill the gaps and promote stem cell growth.
The future of orthobiologics is evolving rapidly, with many developments in the pipeline
that promise to improve fracture repair techniques that are already on the cutting edge of
care.
— Daniel Cook
SOURCE: American Academy of Orthopaedics
SPEEDY RECOVERY
Orthobiologics
Help Fractures Heal
GAME CHANGER Glenn Gaston, MD, says
orthobiologics are playing a more prominent
role in fracture repair.
OrthoCarolina
