Biologics

Biologic Treatments at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle

Biologics are cells, blood components and other natural substances that amplify the body’s power to promote healing and decrease inflammation. Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle physicians are committed to providing patients access to the most advanced and proven biological therapies. Treatment is customized for a patient as pain and loss of function are very individual. To provide the best possible treatment outcome your therapeutic regimen may include biologics used either as a non-surgical treatment or as part of surgery.

Platelet-Rich Plasma

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains a high concentration of platelets and a variable amount of white blood cells. This can enhance the body’s natural ability to heal, reduce inflammation in tendons and arthritic joints, and accelerate the repair of damaged tendons and ligaments.

After a simple blood draw and isolation of the active biologic cells, an injection is made directly into the treatment area. At Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle this can be done separately in an outpatient setting or in conjunction with a surgical procedure to help reinforce a repair, speed healing and shorten recovery time.

Stem Cells

Stem cells have been shown to reduce inflammation and promote healing, particularly at the site where they are injected. They may be used to reinforce a surgical repair in a joint or tendon. In particular, patients with osteoarthritis, chronic tendon or ligament injuries or cartilage defects may benefit from stem cell injections.

Bone Marrow Aspiration

Stem cells can be harvested from their origin in the bone marrow. They can be collected from the pelvis, humerus or tibia. Once extracted and processed, the stem cells are injected into the area to be treated, often in conjunction with a surgical procedure. Active research is underway for using bone marrow derived stem cells for cartilage injury and transplantation, rotator cuff injury, ligament reconstruction and osteoarthritis.

Adipose Tissue

Fat plays an essential role in the way our body functions and may also play a role in how we heal. Also called adipose tissue, fat contains a network of blood vessels, connective tissue, and potentially regenerative cells, including adipose-derived stem cells. Studies recently have discovered that fat’s reparative cells can help promote a healing environment in response to a tissue injury and can also enhance surgical outcomes for the right patients.

Adipose tissue is harvested from a patient’s own body. The collected fat is processed to eliminate any impurities and inflammatory elements and injected into the surgical site.

A list of conditions that can be treated include:

Shoulder

Partial rotator cuff tears
Labrum tears
Arthritis

Elbow

Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
Ulnar collateral ligament injury
Arthritis

Wrist/Hand

DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis
Arthritis

Hip

Trochanteric bursitis
Iliotibial band tendinitis
Labrum tear
Arthritis

Knee

Patellar tendinitis
Quadriceps strain
Hamstring strain
Major ligament partial tears (MCL, LCL, ACL, PCL)
Arthritis

Foot/Ankle

Achilles tendinitis
Peroneal tendinitis
Posterior tibial tendinitis
Plantar fasciitis
Chronic ankle instability
Arthritis

Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment

PRP Treatment General Instructions

PRP Treatment Frequently Asked Questions

Meet Our Biologic & PRP Specialists

Learn More about Dr. Grant H. Garcia, MD

Learn More about Dr. Charlie Peterson, MD

Learn More about Dr. Mark Reed, MD

Learn More about Dr. Joel Shapiro, MD

Learn More about Dr. Wayne Weil, MD

Learn More about Dr. Anthony Yi, MD

Summary
If you are suffering from a musculoskeletal injury and have not responded to first-line treatments such as immobilization or physical therapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy may be a reasonable option for you. Research is still ongoing into which conditions respond best to PRP treatments, but currently it appears to be best suited for chronic soft tissue injuries and arthritis.

Insurance carriers do not always cover this type of treatment, so it’s important to check your eligibility with your provider.

If you have any questions, or would like a consultation with Dr. Garcia, Dr. Peterson, Dr. Reed, or Dr. Weil, please contact Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle for more information.

Dr Phillip Downer is an extremely talented, experienced, and compassionate Ortho. I have been lucky enough to be a patient of Dr Downer's and I can say without hesitation that he is your guy for anything hip related. He has over 20 years of experience in treating everything from hip dysplasia, impingement (FAI), severe OA for hip replacements, etc and truly cares about the patient's preferences to ensure the best possible route to regaining their desired lifestyle.
I would also like to comment that there appear to be critical reviews of the front desk, schedulers, and technicians but that couldn't be any more opposite of the experience that I have had both in the Ballard and Wallingford clinics. Everyone from front desk, scheduling, techs for MRI, etc have been extremely kind, professional, and timely.
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Chris S.
Dr. Reed is the best Foot & Ankle Doc in the Northwest! He gets to the root of the problem & does it quickly. Also, the surgical staff are so comforting and helpful. I highly recommend SOC for all of your Orthopedic concerns/conditions! 👍
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Rain
Dr. Downer performed my hip arthroscopy, and I could not be more happy with the result. I'm a professional dancer, so full mobility and strength are very important to me. Everyone, including my physical therapist, has told me my recovery process is well above average. I don't have any scar tissue build up, my incisions scars are tiny, and I've had none of the mobility issues I read so much about on forums for this surgery. Dr. Downer's precision and expertise has given me back my life. This is definitely the place to go if you need hip surgery!
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Lainey B.
Dr. Downer performed my hip arthroscopy, and I could not be more happy with the result. I'm a professional dancer, so full mobility and strength are very important to me. Everyone, including my physical therapist, has told me my recovery process is well above average. I don't have any scar tissue build up, my incisions scars are tiny, and I've had none of the mobility issues I read so much about on forums for this surgery. Dr. Downer's precision and expertise has given me back my life. This is definitely the place to go if you need hip surgery!
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Elaine B.
Confused by many of this reviews but wanted to share that I am happy with the treatment/care I received from Dr. Shapiro. He was concise and respectful, exactly how good surgeons should be. Excellent Bedside manor is for GPs, PTs, Techs and Nurses; I want my surgeons to be only interested in fixing my injury...not making me mentally feel good.
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Kelly M.
Dr. Shapiro was able to explain my shoulder issue with great care and detail. He took the time to listen to me and made me feel that he really cared. I didn’t feel rushed nor part of a huge “rush you through practice”. He took the time to review test results and explained them with great care. I left feeling like I had a good plan moving forward and look forward to returning to his care as needed. It has been a long time since I felt this sense of comfort after a doctors visit. I highly recommend him for your medical care.
Pat Higgins
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Patricia H.
I am a healthy, active female, soon to be sixty six years old.
During the spring season of 2021 I had a meniscus root tear in my left knee that I acquired while playing with my three year old grandson.
The injury wasn’t immediately evident as I had spent the next month on a road trip hiking in the mountains with no issues, other than experiencing some stiffness in my knee, which I would find relief by stretching prior to each hike. It was after I returned home when I began to experience a slight limp and weakness in the left knee. One day I took a step and had a sharp pain and soon realized I wasn’t able to bear any weight on that leg and fell.
I went to an Orthopedic clinic in Olympia, WA for x-rays and an MRI, which revealed I had a medial meniscus root tear in my left knee. The attending Ortho doctor gave me the option to either have surgery or let it heal on its own. He told me the recovery following surgery for repairing the root tear would be more difficult than having a total knee replacement. He also noted that he was the only doctor in Olympia who performed this type of surgery. After that appointment I decided to seek a second opinion. My daughter, who is an Orthopedic PA, did some research and discovered Dr. Grant Garcia. Her comment was, “Do you want a doctor who performs a limited number of these types of surgeries annually or a doctor who performs hundreds?”
Dr. Garcia reviewed the MRI and confirmed the diagnosis was accurate. I should note this type of injury most commonly occurs in sport injuries. He also explained to me that because I had little to no arthritis evident in my knees I was a good candidate for the Laparoscopic surgery. Doing nothing means in the future I would most likely develop arthritis and eventually a knee replacement. It was extremely important to me to resume my normal level of activities, i.e., hiking, kayaking and swimming.
On August 30, 2021 Dr. Garcia performed Laparoscopic surgery on my left knee to repair the MRT, which only took around forty-five minutes. I was given a pain blocker to help eliminate pain coming out of surgery. Following the surgery and throughout my recovery time I never once had ANY pain. As Dr. Garcia originally explained, the most difficult part of the recovery is the non weight bearing for eight weeks, which required using a immobilizer brace and walker and hopping around the house or to physical therapy appointments. I followed the home PT instructions explicitly and I found that I was a one to two weeks ahead in meeting my goals. By the eighth week I began hiking again, on alternate days, first couple days with a brace and then no brace. I would say currently my knee feels about 90% back to normal, however it should be back to 100% by the one year anniversary of the surgery.
Dr. Grant Garcia is a confident, exceptionally skilled Orthopedic surgeon, who listens to his patient’s needs and concerns. He clearly explains the patient’s diagnosis and provides an accurate prognosis. Above all, the proof of his abilities is in my knee.
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Kimberly T.
Dr. Reed is the best ankle doctor! Honestly one of the nicest doctors I’ve ever been to. Highly recommend. All of the staff were super nice and very helpful.
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Barbara H.
Why are you doing such a stupid thing as asking Dr. Yi's patients if you approve of his skills. Of course I approve of Dr. Yi. He took very good care of me and, as in those past experiences, I have absolutely no comments re his need for approval. Of course I approve. I wouldn't have gone back to him if I didn't think he was competent, which he certainly is.
Barbara M. Hansen
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Barbara H.
The first time I saw Dr. Yi he was kindness itself. He explained what my options were and what they entailed. When I left he told me to call if I had any questions or let him know what next step I wanted to take. A couple of weeks later I returned and felt very confident in my decision. I will return again if I need further help.
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Cynthia T.

Biologic Treatments at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle

Platelet-Rich Plasma

Stem Cells

Bone Marrow Aspiration

Adipose Tissue

Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment

Meet Our Biologic & PRP Specialists

Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle

Wallingford Office

Ballard Office

First Hill Office