Biologic Injections
What are biologics?
Biologics are treatments derived from natural sources in the body — like blood, bone marrow, or fat — that aim to help healing, reduce inflammation, or regenerate damaged tissue. In orthopaedic surgery, biologics are often used to treat joint, tendon, or cartilage conditions.
Biologic injections involve collecting and concentrating the body’s own healing cells and injecting them into injured or painful areas, such as knees, shoulders, or tendons. These injections may help promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and improve symptoms, especially in early or moderate injuries.
Common types include:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): from the patient’s own blood.
- Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC): from the hip bone.
- Adipose-derived stem cells: from body fat.
Each type contains different cells and growth factors that may aid healing, depending on the condition being treated.
PRP is made by drawing a small amount of your blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate platelets, and injecting it into the affected area. Platelets release growth factors that may reduce inflammation and support healing of tendons, ligaments, and joints.
BMAC is collected from bone marrow and contains stem cells and other healing components. It’s injected into injured tissue to potentially aid in regeneration of cartilage, bone, or tendon, particularly in more advanced or chronic injuries.
At a Glance
Sachin Allahabadi, MD
- Board-Certified & Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine Surgeon
- Expertise in Minimally Invasive Knee & Shoulder Surgeries
- Assistant Professor of Clinical Orthopaedic Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital & Weill Cornell Medical College
- Learn more
