Torn ACL? Learn How Orthobiologic Augmentation Can Help
Facing ACL surgery in San Francisco? Discover how an innovative, science-backed approach is helping patients heal faster & stronger by tapping into the body’s own natural repair systems.
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A torn ACL doesn't just sideline athletes; it can completely upheave your life, making it difficult to work or stay active. This devastating knee injury affects approximately 200,000 Americans annually, with women being two to eight times more likely than men to experience this injury.
While traditional ACL reconstruction surgery has been the standard treatment, innovative orthobiologic techniques are now putting patients on the fast track to recovery. These cutting-edge treatments use your body's own healing elements, like platelets, stem cells, and growth factors, to speed healing and improve long-term outcomes.
If you or a loved one is facing an ACL surgery, understanding how orthobiologic augmentation works opens the door to a stronger, faster recovery than previously thought possible. Read on to discover how this modern orthopedic treatment works and where to find the best orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco who can help.
Two Types of Orthobiologic Augmentation for ACL Treatment
Orthobiologic augmentation in ACL treatment uses natural healing substances from your own body to boost recovery after injury or surgery. These special compounds, called orthobiologics, include:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which contains growth factors
Stem cells that can boost the development of different tissue types
Think of orthobiologics as natural repair boosters that enhance your body's existing healing abilities. Compared to traditional treatments alone, orthobiologics can strengthen ligament healing and speed up your return to activities.
How Does Getting PRP During ACL Surgery Work?
Adding orthobiologic treatment to an ACL surgery is relatively easy and seamless, especially since you will already be in the operating room to get a ligament graft.
Before your surgery, your surgeon will create your PRP by drawing a small amount of your blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the tiny blood cells packed with growth factors and healing proteins known as platelets. These concentrated platelets contain five to ten times more growth factors than regular blood.
During ACL reconstruction surgery, the surgeon injects this platelet-rich solution directly into your new ACL graft or injured area.
The growth factors in PRP signal your body to send healing cells to the site, reduce inflammation, form new blood vessels, and strengthen the connection between the graft and your bone.
How Does Getting Stem Cell Therapy During ACL Repair Work?
Stem cells are special building blocks with the remarkable ability to transform into different tissue types needed for healing. In ACL repair, doctors can harvest these versatile cells from your bone marrow or fat tissue and deliver them directly to your injured ligament. This is done with a process similar to PR, except using bone marrow instead of venous blood.
When injected during surgery, stem cells can develop into the specific cells needed to rebuild damaged tissue, release healing proteins that reduce inflammation, and coordinate your body's natural repair processes. When used during ACL reconstruction, stem cells help your new ligament integrate more completely with surrounding bone and tissue, creating a stronger repair with less scar tissue.
Benefits of Combining Orthobiologics with Traditional ACL Reconstruction
Combining orthobiologics with traditional ACL reconstruction surgery creates a powerful healing partnership that may deliver better results than surgery alone. When surgeons add treatments like PRP or stem cells during standard ACL repair, they essentially supercharge the healing environment around your new ligament graft. This combination approach can strengthen the critical connection points where your new ACL attaches to bone, potentially preventing the common problem of tunnel widening — a condition where bone tunnels created during surgery expand over time, weakening the repair.
Patients receiving combined treatments often experience:
Less post-surgical pain and swelling
Faster tissue healing
Improved stability during recovery
Enhanced healing for a complete return of strength and mobility
Faster return to sports training or preferred activities
Finding the Best Orthopedic Surgeon who Offers Orthobiologics Augmentation for Fast ACL Repair in San Francisco
At our practice, we believe that great surgical outcomes start with personalized care, advanced techniques, and a deep understanding of each patient’s goals. Dr. James Chen is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco who brings all three to every ACL repair.
With elite training under some of the country’s top knee and shoulder surgeons and years of experience treating athletes at all levels, Dr. Chen blends precision with innovation to offer minimally invasive arthroscopic ACL reconstruction enhanced by cutting-edge orthobiologic treatments like PRP and stem cells.
Whether you're a weekend warrior or a competitive athlete, our team is here to guide your recovery with expertise, compassion, and the most advanced tools in modern orthopedic medicine.
Ready to supercharge your knee injury recovery with the best ACL surgeon in San Francisco?
