Growth factors: they are, as applied and used

What are the growth factors?

The growth factors are proteins that are inside the cells at the level of the cytoplasm and that, it has been discovered, have an important activity of stimulation on the regeneration of the organic tissues. From this discovery has tried to get them to apply them in medicine. Nowadays it is a technique totally surpassed in terms of its obtaining and in the application in various fields of medicine it has proven to be very useful.

What are the growth factors in the field of rheumatology indicated?

The most important indications in the rheumatological field are all the degenerative processes, that is to say, when at the level of tendons or joint cartilages there begins to be wear. We know that we can not influence this process except with the application of this new technique. All this aims to avoid, in many cases, reaching substitute surgery.

Thus, the main indications would be chondromalacia , chondropathies , chronic tendinitis either of shoulders or other locations.

How do they apply and what side effects do they have?

The application of the growth factors is done directly in the affected area but the technique to obtain them is from the platelets, since they are the cells richest in growth factors. From this knowledge, an extraction of blood is made, which is centrifuged and from which the plasma that carries the concentration of platelets is obtained, which in turn carry the growth factors in its cytoplasm.. However, they are not activated, so before application they must be activated by the application of calcium chloride that produces the start-up of the growth factors. Once prepared, they are applied in the indicated area, either intra-articularly or at the tendinous level depending on the area to be treated.

As for side effects, they do not exist because the factors are homologous , from the patient himself, so there is no problem of rejection, hence the great advantage and ease of application of this new technique.

What are the results obtained so far?

Our personal statistics go back to the last four years during which we have been able to control a significant number of patients and we have observed so far that the results in terms of improving the resistance of cartilage, reducing inflammation, reducing pain and stopping the advance of this whole process, is around 80% .

We do not have comparative groups so far but based on personal experiences we have to say that the results are frankly encouraging.