Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common diseases around the
world. As the world population ages, osteoarthritis (OA) becomes a disease with
physical and economic consequences for both patients and communities. Medical,
social, and financial consequences oblige clinicians, surgeons, and researchers
to focus on finding the best treatment option, to eradicate and stop this
degenerative joint disease, and to avoid surgical options which in many
instances are over-indicated. OA is a complex disease involving cartilage
degradation leading finally to bone-on-bone contact with loss of articular
balance and strength and episodes of inflammation. Knee, hip, ankle, and foot
joints are the most frequent to suffer OA because of their relevance as
weight-bearing joints. Noninvasive treatments, such as anti-inflammatory drugs,
physiotherapy, orthotic devices, dietary supplements, have demonstrated a lack
of effectiveness. The possibility to perform intra-articular injections with
hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids, or the newest but criticized treatment based
on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has changed the management of OA disease. PRP
allows the possibility of repairing the damage of joint cartilage, prevents
degeneration, reduces pain, and accelerates joint functionality. The use of PRP
has led to many differences in treatment since there is a lack of consensus
about protocols, indications, number of doses, cost-effectiveness, and duration
of the treatment. Many publications have suggested efficacy in tendon injuries,
but when PRP has been indicated to treat cartilage injuries, things are more
inconsistent. Some authors have reported their experience treating OA with PRP,
and it seems that, if well indicated, it is an option as a supplementary
therapy. Therefore, we need to understand that OA is a mechanical disease that
not only produces changes in radiographs but also affects the quality of life.
The Pathogenesis of OA has been well explained, providing us with new knowledge
and future possibilities to improve the clinical approach. From basic science
to surgery, there is a great field we all need to contribute to, because the
general population is aging, and total joint replacements should not be the
only solution for OA. So herein is an actual review of the developments for
treating OA with biologics, intended to be useful for the population inside
orthopedics who could be called bio-orthopedists, since OA is a molecular
homeostasis disbalance between catabolism and anabolism triggered by mechanical
stress.
Author(s)
Details
José
Ignacio Torrero
Bio Trauma Centre, Escaldes, Principality of Andorra.
Carlos
MartÃnez
University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences, System,
Chicago, IL, USA.
Ignacio
Torrero
Bio Trauma Centre, Escaldes, Principality of Andorra.
Please see the book
here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mmrnp/v1/1222
