Information for Medical Professionals

'Biologics could replace bionics'

Joint reconstruction using biologics as opposed to bionics could get more commonplace as advances in the relevant technology surrounding continues.

According to orthopaedic expert Kevin Stone, using stem cells to battle arthritis could be an appropriate first step - particularly in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, reports Orhto Supersite.

Speaking at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Stone was reported as saying that stem cell grafting for cartilage repair can help stave off the need for total knee replacement - which he claimed is vitally important as western populations age.

"The number of total joint surgeries is rapidly increasing," he said.

"If you can buy your patient even five years for a 50-, 60- or 70-year-old who still wants to play sports, we think that is a cost-effective decision to make. We think that will be true for biologic versus bionic replacement."

Recently, orthopaedic expert Steven Arnoczky told Orhtopaedics Today that interest in the field of biologics has been steadily increasing.

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