Updated MSC and PRP Research Highlight February IOF Conference

On Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18, 2017, the Interventional Orthopedics Foundation (IOF) will be hosting its second annual education conference in Broomfield, Colorado, to educate physicians on the benefits of using orthobiologics.

This year’s conference, according to Nancy Ho, executive director of the Interventional Orthopedics Foundation, will focus on advanced insight into interventional regenerative medicine, the latest clinical research, clinical outcome studies, innovators in the market and regulatory challenges.

Feature topics at the conference include the basic science behind the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in orthopedic injuries and diseases, how bone marrow aspirate technique influences stem cell yield and platelet rich plasma (PRP) intradiscal spine outcomes. There will also be a Hands-on Cadaver Lab for bone marrow and mini-lipo aspiration on Saturday.

Chris Centeno, M.D., CEO at Regenexx and medical director of the Centeno-Schultz Clinic in Broomfield, will speak on how the local micro environment might impact bone marrow concentrate knee osteoarthritis. While Arnold I. Caplan, Ph.D., professor of biology and director of the Skeletal Research Center at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, will present, “MSC’s: Sentinels for Injury and Drugstores for Regeneration”.

IOF, Ho explained, is the first non-profit solely focused on supporting this new medical specialty, which involves non-surgical procedures that harness the body’s natural ability to heal.

“These minimally invasive techniques can sometimes replace surgery or speed the healing process after surgery – sometimes cutting recovery time from months to just weeks. Because they help damaged tissue regenerate and rebuild itself, these procedures are especially beneficial for patients who have musculoskeletal, tendon and other tissue injuries and pain, ” she said.

Ho told OTW that one regenerative orthopedic option that holds promise for patients is platelet rich plasma (PRP). Stem cells are also used in regenerative orthopedics.

“A growing number of doctors in the United States use interventional orthopedics in the fields of sports medicine, physical rehabilitation, interventional spine care, interventional radiology, and orthopedic surgery, and many of them undergo a rigorous training and real experience in clinical use of orthobiologics through a one-year fellowship, ” she added.

For more information about the conference, visit the conference website. More details about the foundation’s initiatives can be found here.