Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that deals with preventing, diagnosing, and treating disorders that affect your musculoskeletal system. These include fractures, sprains, and degenerative diseases like arthritis. While numerous forms of treatment exist for these conditions, technological advancements have given rise to new methods and techniques. This gives patients more options for medical care that are both convenient and effective.
Let’s talk about the new technologies and trends in orthopedics that your physicians can use and where you can go for outstanding orthopedic care in Baltimore, MD.
Regenerative Medicine
This advancement in orthopedics includes techniques that stimulate the body to heal itself using its own systems. Such methods include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell therapy, which are becoming a hot topic in recent decades.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a form of treatment that uses your own platelets and growth factors to assist the body in healing. The physician gets them by taking a sample of your blood and separating the fluid that contains them using a special centrifuge.
The platelets and growth factors are then injected into the affected area. This entire procedure only takes 2 hours and requires no downtime afterward.
Stem cell therapy is very similar to PRP therapy, except it uses stem cells to treat symptoms. Another difference is that the stem cells are obtained from your bone marrow instead of taking a sample of your blood.
Just like PRP therapy, it is a very short procedure (less than 30 minutes) and can reduce swelling and chronic pain.
Laser therapy is another regenerative medicine technique used to treat pain and swelling caused by tendon issues. Targeting a laser at the affected area alleviates symptoms of tendonitis and other similar conditions.
Virtual Orthopedic Visits
There was a time when medical visits had to be done in person. Nowadays, more and more healthcare providers offer virtual visits to help patients get the care they need from home.
In fact, it is not only being used to provide online consultations but also to conduct physical therapy sessions. Real-time assessments of physical therapy performed after surgery can be done accurately by a nurse or physical therapist online.
Not only do these save you time and energy, but it also results in similar outcomes to in-home or clinic-based physical therapy.
3D Printing Technology
Instead of importing orthopedic equipment and prosthetics from abroad, three-dimensional (3D) printing allows companies to create them locally. This makes it easier to get access to implants and prosthetics designed specifically for your needs.
It doesn’t stop there. 3D printing is also used to create preoperative planning surgical guides and models. This not only helps orthopedic surgeons operate accurately and effectively, but it also reduces the risks of complications.
Other uses of 3D printing technology in orthopedics include:
- Printing of stems cells and tissues
- Bone tissue engineering
- Identification of bone defects
Wearable Technology
Gadgets such as smart bands are already popular amongst physically active people, but they also find use in orthopedics. Advanced versions of these devices include stress tracking and performance examination. This helps orthopedic doctors better diagnose or assess their patients. Combined with monitoring heart rates and burned calories, smart bands promote a healthy lifestyle that helps prevent chronic conditions and injuries.
Technology such as smart braces and sensors are also used during a patient’s rehabilitation to monitor and track their progress. These devices help patients perform their physical therapy exercises correctly. They also provide useful data to their doctors that can help guide their treatment.
Wearable technology can also
- help predict possible outcomes post-surgery
- collect outcome measures reported by patients
- assist in analyzing gait and motion
New Imaging Technology
New software-based tools are deployed in orthopedics to diagnose and perform surgery and clinical analysis.
Examples of this are digital X-rays that produce an image on a computer screen faster than traditional X-rays. This bypasses the chemical processing and production necessary to create the X-ray image, making diagnosis more convenient and efficient.
Additionally, augmented and virtual reality are rapidly growing technologies that can assist surgeons during surgery, particularly in hip and knee arthroplasties.
Innovative Orthopedics in Baltimore, MD
Here at Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, we offer numerous treatments for your orthopedic concerns. From stem cell therapy to shoulder replacement surgery, we will determine the best treatment option for your needs. Our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic doctors combine the science of medicine with the art of personal care, resulting in better outcomes and restored function for a better quality of living for their patients. We believe patients are empowered when they are treated as partners in designing care plans with their physicians, so we work closely with our patients to determine the best treatment to overcome their specific orthopedic needs.
If you have any questions about our services, fill out our convenient online request form today! You can also call our friendly staff at (410) 644-1880 or (855) 4MD-BONE (463-2663) to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!
