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Orthobiologics

Orthobiologics are biological substances used to enhance bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament, and soft-tissue healing in orthopaedic conditions. They include products such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate, autologous bone graft, growth factors, and cell-based therapies. Their role is to improve the biological environment for tissue repair, although the strength of evidence varies considerably between indications.

Orthobiologics refers to a group of biological agents used in orthopaedics to promote or augment tissue healing and regeneration. They may be derived from the patient, a donor, or manufactured sources and are used in the treatment of bone defects, delayed union and non-union, cartilage injuries, tendinopathies, ligament injuries, and selected degenerative joint conditions. Common orthobiologic options include autologous bone graft, allograft, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), demineralized bone matrix, bone morphogenetic proteins, and other growth-factor or cell-based preparations. Bone grafts may provide osteogenic cells, osteoinductive signals, and an osteoconductive scaffold, while preparations such as PRP aim to deliver concentrated platelets and growth factors to the site of injury. Their use is based on the principle that successful musculoskeletal healing depends not only on mechanical stability but also on an adequate biological environment, including viable cells, vascularity, signaling molecules, and an appropriate scaffold. In fracture surgery, orthobiologics may therefore be used to augment healing in difficult situations such as bone loss or compromised biology. In sports medicine, PRP and related therapies are used for selected tendon and joint disorders, although outcomes vary according to the indication and the preparation technique. Many newer regenerative treatments remain under investigation, and evidence is not equally strong for all products. The ideal orthobiologic should be safe, biocompatible, easily available, reproducible, cost-effective, and capable of reliably enhancing tissue regeneration. Appropriate patient selection and evidence-based use are essential, as orthobiologics should complement rather than replace sound mechanical principles and standard orthopaedic treatment.

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Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI)

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of inherited connective-tissue disorders characterized by increased bone fragility and recurrent fractures, most commonly due to abnormalities in type I collagen. Clinical features may include blue sclera, dentinogenesis imperfecta, hearing loss, short stature, and skeletal deformity. Severity varies widely from mild disease with few fractures to severe forms causing marked deformity and perinatal mortality.

Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE)

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Musculoskeletal tuberculosis

Musculoskeletal tuberculosis is a form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis involving the bones, joints, spine, and surrounding soft tissues. The spine is the most common site, followed by large weight-bearing joints such as the hip and knee. It usually presents with chronic pain, swelling, stiffness, constitutional symptoms, and progressive deformity, and treatment is based primarily on anti-tubercular therapy, with surgery reserved for selected complications.

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Common Orthopaedic Angles and Measurements

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an infection of bone caused most commonly by bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. Acute osteomyelitis usually presents with pain, fever, local tenderness, swelling, and raised inflammatory markers, while chronic osteomyelitis is characterized by persistent or recurrent infection with features such as sequestrum, involucrum, cloaca, and discharging sinus. Treatment combines appropriate antibiotics with surgical drainage or debridement when necessary.

Orthobiologics

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