Increasingly, orthobiologics continue to gain interest in regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal healing.
We’ll explore how Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) and Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) can advance orthobiologic outcomes for improved patient success. Level 1 studies support ESWT and EMTT technologies and demonstrate their value in optimizing patient recovery for an ever-expanding list of conditions.
To fully recognize the impact of these advancements, it's critical to understand the science behind orthobiologics and regenerative medicine and how these innovative treatments are redefining the future of medicine and musculoskeletal care.
Understanding Orthobiologics and Regenerative Medicine
Orthobiologics has emerged as powerful medical tools for pursuing non-surgical solutions to musculoskeletal injuries. These treatment options ignite the body's natural healing processes by harnessing biologically derived substances, offering a revolutionary approach to orthopedic and sports medicine care.
Orthobiologics Definition: Orthobiologics is fast becoming a cornerstone of regenerative medicine and a rapidly evolving field of interest. These treatments are derived from organic substances in the body, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), and adipose-derived stem cells. They are regularly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, and regenerative medicine as non-surgical treatment options for advancing musculoskeletal healing.
Orthobiologics can accelerate healing in bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These orthobiologics and regenerative medicine treatments leverage the body's natural regenerative capacity to:
- Foster tissue repair
- Minimize inflammation
- Enhance recovery from injuries and degenerative musculoskeletal conditions
Orthobiologics rely on the exacting percutaneous placement of treatment type (PRP, etc) utilizing precise image guidance. These regenerative treatments provide innovative, non-surgical solutions beneficial for acute orthopedic injuries and chronic degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. 
This regenerative approach is being recognized as one of the newer and more promising treatment options for muscle, joint, and soft tissue injuries.
While orthobiologics focus on enhancing the body’s innate healing potential, innovative evidence-based technologies like Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) and Electromagnetic Transduction Therapy (EMTT) take a different yet complementary approach. These modalities stimulate cellular repair and regeneration through targeted mechanical and electromagnetic energy, further expanding the potential for non-invasive musculoskeletal patient care.
A Closer Look at Shock Wave and EMTT
Let’s dive into the art and science of Shock Wave Therapy and EMTT.
Shock Wave awakens healing via a cascade of biological effects, stem cell activation, and angiogenesis. Two types of shock wave technology should be considered: radial and focused. Each offers unique benefits in advancing patient healing and recovery.
Radial shock wave (EPAT) has been a game-changer in orthopedics for over 30 years. Designed to target broad yet superficial treatment areas, this technology emits acoustic waves that increase blood flow, stimulate healing to the area, and stimulate new tissue growth. It is especially efficacious for conditions including plantar fasciitis, myofascial pain, and chronic tendinopathies.
Focused shockwaves (ESWT) deliver higher energy impact and faster impulses than radial waves, which allows for precision targeting of deeper tissues. This makes ESWT an exceptional choice for treating localized pain, chronic tendinopathies, bone stress injuries, non-unions, deep trigger points, and more.
Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) relies upon high-frequency electromagnetic energy to reduce inflammation and stimulate cellular function. It is a relatively new form of magnetic therapy, revolutionizing regenerative medicine and rehabilitation. 
By expanding the treatment options available to practitioners, EMTT is recognized as a highly effective therapy ideal for treating lower back pain, arthritis, and inflammation of tendons and joints.
Regenerative Shock Wave and EMTT work independently, in tandem, and as complementary treatments to be added to biologics, increasing the efficacy of orthopedic clinical procedures.
When and Why to Combine Orthobiologics with Shock Wave and EMTT
Combining orthobiologics and regenerative medicine technologies, ESWT and EMTT, enables practitioners to create a stronger biological response that amplifies healing outcomes.
Dr. Brice Blatz frequently pairs orthobiologics with shockwave and EMTT, noting improved pain relief, function scores, and reduced bone lesion size. Studies show that shock wave activates PRP, accelerating healing factors.
Dr Brice Blatz's passion for combining orthobiologics with shock wave and EMTT is revealed in two inspiring webinar presentations. You won’t want to miss these engaging webinars:
- Combining Shock Wave and Orthobiologic Therapies: Part 1
- Combining Shock Wave and Orthobiologic Therapies: Part 2
In the presentation, he highlights this integrative approach as a key advancement in regenerative medicine. Combination treatment does the following:
- Energizes PRP and Boosts Cellular Regeneration: ESWT stimulates mesenchymal stem cells, amplifying PRP’s regenerative effects.
- Treats Bone Lesions: Focused shockwaves dramatically improve biologics synthesis into bone tissue.
- Addresses Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points: Radial shock wave optimizes circulation and diminishes muscular dysfunction.
Both presentations delve into best use cases, including:
- Osteoarthritis with Bone Marrow Lesions: Alleviate pain and inhibit joint degeneration.
- Chronic Tendinopathies: Maximizes PRP’s healing impact on tendons.
- Non-union or Delayed Union Fractures: Facilitates bone healing.
- Post-Surgical Recovery: Ignites tissue repair and enhances rehabilitation.
This combined approach maximizes patient recovery, reduces pain, and may help delay invasive procedures.
Next, we’ll explore a case study that involves orthobiologics, ESWT, and EMTT for more clinical insights.
Clinical Application: A Patient Success Story
It’s crucial to share clinical case successes, and below, you’ll find highlight excerpts from a published patient success story titled “Regenerative Medical Professional Successfully Combines ESWT, EMTT, and Orthobiologics to Treat Pelvic Floor Pathologies.” We encourage you to read the complete patient success story but have featured key information below.
- The Problem: A 36-year-old female was diagnosed with a left inferior pubic ramus stress fracture and a longstanding labral tear with hip pain.
- Also, the patient had pubic symphysis pain, SI joint pain, and pelvic floor weakness and pain
- The Solution: Combination therapy, including orthobiologics and regenerative medicine technologies (Shock Wave and EMTT)
- Key outcomes included:
- significant pain reduction after ESWT and EMTT treatments
- further pain reduction post-PRP and PPP injections
- improved function and accelerated recovery
- patient is free of postpartum pelvic floor pain and enjoying a renewed active lifestyle
- Best practices for practitioners on implementing this approach:
- Utilizing the full power of what’s available in your medical toolbox
- Synergistic approach to healing, combining therapies benefits patient outcomes and reduces recovery timelines
Dr. Aneesh Garg, DO, who treated the patient in this study, is redefining sports medicine at his practice, Dynamic Athlete, in Boulder, Colorado. His reliance on orthobiologics and regenerative medicine technologies provides an innovative approach that heals patients and alleviates their pain without unnecessary stress, downtime, or surgery. By combining regenerative modalities, he gives his patients the highest level of care—no scalpel required.
Practical Implementation for Medical Practices
To optimize patient outcomes, integrating Shock Wave and EMTT with orthobiologics requires a strategic approach:
- Modality Integration: Combine these treatment approaches within existing protocols to improve healing timelines and recovery.
- Treatment Protocols: Arrange treatments strategically, starting with EMTT for cellular activation, followed by Shock Wave to activate regeneration.
- Ideal Applications: Common conditions benefiting from this combination include tendinopathies, joint degeneration, and non-healing injuries.
By incorporating these all three, clinicians can offer a powerful, non-invasive solution for accelerated recovery and pain relief.
Advancing Orthobiologics and Regenerative Medicine with Shock Wave and EMTT
While using ESWT and EMTT combined with orthobiologics is still an emerging protocol, early clinical outcomes suggest significant potential for enhancing tissue healing and recovery. These non-invasive advanced modalities open a new world of possibilities for amplifying the effects of orthobiologics, giving patients and physicians more effective, non-surgical solutions.
Though research on combination approach is still evolving, the growing adoption of regenerative methodologies highlights their value in modern musculoskeletal patient care. As the field continues to grow and advance, those practitioners willing to embrace innovation can stay at the forefront of patient care. By offering cutting-edge, evidence-informed solutions that improve patient outcomes, medical practitioners implementing such procedures will have the opportunity to advance practice growth and patient outcomes.
Now is the time to evaluate the possibilities and refine best practices in regenerative medicine.
Contact us today, and we’ll connect you with a device expert who can answer questions and provide insight based on your practice needs.
