Orthobiologics

What Types of Biologic Injections Can Be Used to Treat My Pain?

When it comes to non-surgical management of joint pain, there are several broad categories of injectable treatments available. These range from potent anti-inflammatory agents (corticosteroids) to lubricating gel injections (hyaluronic acid) and biologically derived options that harness healing proteins and cells from your own body, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapies.

The majority of these treatments rely on substances that naturally occur within the human body. Corticosteroid injections use a synthetic form of cortisol—a hormone your body already produces—to suppress inflammation and reduce pain. Gel injections introduce hyaluronic acid, one of the primary structural molecules found in cartilage, to help restore the lubricating properties of joint fluid. PRP is prepared by drawing a small sample of your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and re-injecting that concentrated solution into the affected area. Platelets contain an array of proteins that support tissue repair and help regulate the inflammatory response.

Stem cell treatments, most commonly in the form of bone marrow concentrate (BMC or BMAC), involve drawing a sample of bone marrow from your own body, concentrating it in a manner similar to PRP, and delivering it to the affected joint. The resulting solution contains growth factors as well as a small number of stem cells. While stem cells have long been studied for their potential to regenerate cartilage, this capacity has not yet been reliably demonstrated in living human tissue.

Dr. Mark Cinque, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist, offers the full spectrum of biologic injection options as part of a comprehensive, individualized approach to musculoskeletal care. To learn more about which treatment may be appropriate for your condition, request a consultation with Dr. Cinque.