
Sometimes bone regeneration needs a little push
Regenerative medicine aims to improve or restore the natural healing capacity of our body through external means. It is difficult for some tissues to trigger their reparative mechanisms, hampered by conditions such as the absence of oxygen and nutrients, a chronic inflammatory state, and a tissue matrix complex to remodel. However, bone tissue regeneration is very likely to succeed thanks to the excellent vascularization of the tissue. That’s why, following a fracture, bone stabilization and rest are sufficient for complete healing.
Although bone propensity to heal itself, regeneration is only successful if all the elements – that the experts bring together in the so-called “Diamond Concept” – are present: cells, growth factors, scaffold, stability, and vascularization. The cells are the actors of the formation of new tissue; the growth factors are the signals for good coordination of processes; the scaffold is the support where the tissue matrix grows; mechanical conditions determine stability; vascularization allows the arrival of oxygen and any other missing ingredient. If one or more of these are absent, the bone will not heal, and pathological conditions, such as pseudoarthrosis, will rise.
Pseudoarthrosis is characterized by a fibrous callus, the result of failed healing, and persistent pain that must be treated with surgery to remove sclerotic bone tissue. The site’s cleaning will make a void that must be filled with a bone matrix, which may come from the patient himself, a donation, or synthetic origin. If the patient has risk conditions, it is essential to take advantage of cell therapies and growth factors to boost the regenerative capacity. Finally, the biological implant must have absolute mechanical stability.
Tiss’You offers different solutions for the treatment of pseudoarthrosis (or other bone diseases such as avascular necrosis and bone cysts), starting from procedural kits that exploit mesenchymal cells from adipose tissue (Lipocell) or mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (Monocytes). Recently, we have introduced SpherHA, a synthetic bone substitute based on hydroxyapatite nanocrystals, a calcium phosphate compound remarkably similar to the mineral matrix contained in our bones. SpherHA is available in many formats to meet different orthopedics, neurosurgery, and dentistry needs, such as dense granules, porous chips, injectable paste, and moldable crunch.
Thanks to the high surface/volume ratio, the device is an ideal scaffold for osteointegration; moreover, the highly porous and interconnected structure promotes cell colonization, nutrient circulation, and rapid vascularization. After offering filling and support, SpherHA bone substitutes are completely degraded by osteoclastic activity and physiologically remodeled into new vital bone tissue.
For further details: SpherHA – Product sheet