Orthobiologic Therapy

Orthobiologics

Advanced regenerative treatments to preserve joints, heal tissue, and delay or avoid surgery

Orthobiologics use your body’s own biological materials to stimulate healing in injured or degenerative musculoskeletal tissue. At Journey Orthopaedic Institute, orthobiologics are used strategically—based on diagnosis, imaging, tissue quality, and athletic demands—to promote recovery while preserving native anatomy whenever possible.

These are not “one-size-fits-all” injections. They are precision-guided, diagnosis-driven regenerative treatments overseen by a board-certified orthopedic sports surgeon.

What are orthobiologics?

Orthobiologics are biologic substances derived from your own blood, bone marrow, or adipose (fat) tissue that contain growth factors, cytokines, and regenerative cells. When placed accurately into damaged tissue, they can:

• Stimulate tissue repair and remodeling

• Improve pain and function

• Enhance tendon, ligament, cartilage, and joint health

• Reduce reliance on repeated steroid injections

• Potentially delay or avoid surgery

Orthobiologic treatments offered

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP is created by concentrating platelets from your own blood. Platelets release growth factors that support healing and tissue remodeling.

Common uses:

• Tendinopathy (patellar, Achilles, rotator cuff, elbow)

• Mild–moderate knee osteoarthritis

• Partial ligament or muscle injuries

• Post-surgical biologic augmentation (select cases)

Key advantages:

• Minimally invasive

• No risk of rejection or disease transmission

• Short recovery period

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)

BMAC is harvested from bone marrow and concentrated to deliver mesenchymal signaling cells, hematopoietic cells, and growth factors.

Common uses:

• Cartilage injury and early joint degeneration

• High-demand athletes with recalcitrant tendon or ligament pathology

• Joint preservation strategies in active adults

Why BMAC?

BMAC provides a more cellular biologic environment than PRP alone and is reserved for cases where higher regenerative potential is needed.

Microfragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT)

This treatment uses processed adipose tissue to deliver a rich biologic matrix containing pericytes and signaling cells that support joint homeostasis and tissue repair.

Common uses:

• Knee, hip, and shoulder arthritis

• Chronic inflammatory joint pain

• Patients seeking joint preservation rather than joint replacement

MFAT is particularly useful in patients with degenerative joint changes who want durable symptom improvement without repeated injections.

How SportsSmithMD uses orthobiologics differently

Orthobiologics are only effective when used in the right patient, at the right time, and in the right location.

At SportsSmithMD:

• Every injection is ultrasound-guided for precision

• Imaging and biomechanics guide treatment selection

• Orthobiologics are integrated with rehabilitation and load management

• Treatment plans are individualized—not protocol-driven

If a biologic will not help, you will be told directly.

What orthobiologics are

not

• They are not cortisone

• They are not pain-masking injections

• They are not a cure-all

Results depend on tissue health, diagnosis accuracy, rehabilitation adherence, and realistic expectations.

Recovery and expectations

• Most patients resume daily activities within 24–48 hours

• Temporary soreness is common and expected

• Healing is biologic and gradual—improvement typically occurs over weeks to months

• Structured rehab is often required to maximize results

Who is a good candidate?

Orthobiologics are ideal for:

• Athletes and active adults with chronic tendon or joint pain

• Patients seeking joint preservation

• Individuals who want to avoid or delay surgery

• Patients who have failed traditional conservative care

They are not appropriate for advanced bone-on-bone arthritis or structural instability requiring surgery.

Why choose SportsSmithMD?

• Double board-certified orthopedic sports surgeon oversight

• Advanced ultrasound-guided injection techniques

• Honest, evidence-based recommendations

• Integrated approach with rehab, biologics, and performance medicine

This is regenerative medicine done thoughtfully—not marketed aggressively.

Schedule a consultation to determine whether orthobiologics are appropriate for your condition and goals.