Bone regeneration medicine

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4 Trends in Bone Regeneration Medicine
Presently several treatment procedures exist in the healthcare space for surgeons to employ for bone regeneration needs. These medical approaches are used independent or in conjunction with others for the enhancement and treatment of these sensitive medical circumstances. These treatment practices are constantly being refined as new technologies and research emerge, yet have proven efficacious in helping patients recover the strength and support from their bone structures. Learn of a few innovations that are transforming the way bone regeneration processes are executed.

Bone Grafting
One of the most effective ways for enhancing bone regeneration outcomes is bone grafting, which is used in several of orthopaedic and maxillofacial techniques. In this procedure, autologous bone are assumed as the ‘gold standard’ grafting material, as it possess all elements needed in a bone-graft procedure, such as osteoinduction osteogenesis and osteoconduction. There are several sites that are prime for bone-graft harvesting. Bone harvesting which require one or more surgical techniques come with a set of risks for complications and side effects, including physical discomfort for the patient as well as financial costs.

Distraction Osteogenesis
This procedures is a new bone redevelopment and bone transport procedure that is becoming increasingly popular. This procedure helps in bone redevelopment amid osseous surfaces which are eroding slowly. Recently several procedures have emerged to cure bone loss or limb-length related inconsistencies and irregularities, such as outer fixators.

This procedure is particularly delicate requiring technical understanding as well as as patience and flexibility. Recover times are long with potential painful side effects. Before embarking upon the procedures, physicians and their patients should come to a full understanding of the procedure and what it entails.

Allogeneic Bone Grafting
Allogeneic bone grafting is emerging as an alternate therapy wherein bones are adopted from human cadavers or living donors. It thus avoids complications and discomforts of harvesting and grafting procedures. Depending upon the requirements of recipient sites, allogeneic bones come in several formulations, such as demineralised bone matrix (DBM), morcellised and cancellous chips, corticocancellous and cortical grafts, and osteochondral and whole-bone factors. However, this procedure also has immunogenicity and rejection reactions, possibility of transmitting, as well as carries a significant financial burden.

Alternative Methods
There are some alternative bone-graft techniques available in place of autologous or allogeneic procedures. They use synthetic structures to facilitate the transfer, growth and separation of bone cells for bone redevelopment. There is a series of biomaterials and synthetic bone alternatives which are being used as building blocks. They include collagen, hydroxyapatite (HA), ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) and calcium-phosphate cements, and glass ceramics. Many new research initiatives are taking place in this field such as developing approached to reconstruct large bone discrepancies using substantial structural scaffold instead of massive cortical auto- or allografts.

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