Autologous Protein Solution Therapy
For patients suffering from osteoarthritis or whose doctors have recommended joint replacement surgery, Beyond Biologics™ offers Autologous Protein Solution (APS) therapy, a non-surgical solution for joint pain.
APS therapy is a protein injection harvested from the patient’s blood. The treatment is designed to treat pain and slow the progression of cartilage degradation and joint destruction.
If you are experiencing joint pain and want to slow joint degradation and avoid surgery, contact Beyond Biologics™ today to find out if APS therapy is right for you.
Treatments
Relieve pain, prevent injury, and be well with APS
Knee
Osteoarthritis
Hip
Osteoarthritis
Shoulder
Osteoarthritis
Elbow & hand
Osteoarthritis
Foot & ankle
Osteoarthritis
The breakdown
What is the science behind APS?
APS injections are a treatment for osteoarthritis pain. Osteoarthritis is characterized by an increased number of catabolic, pro-inflammatory cytokines in the joint. When they are not balanced by anti-inflammatory cytokines, the catabolic cytokines contribute to cartilage breakdown. As cartilage degrades, the joint becomes increasingly arthritic and symptoms (generally pain, stiffness, and swelling) increase.
APS injections work by targeting the cytokine imbalance with a concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines and anabolic growth factors. This concentration is injected directly at the site of the joint injury and spurs regenerative healing.
Process
01 Harvest
APS therapy begins with the provider withdrawing a small amount of the patient’s blood. This sample of blood contains the healing properties that will be re-injected back into the osteoarthritic joint.
02 Concentrate
Beyond Biologics™ will then centrifuge the blood sample, concentrating white blood cells, platelets, and plasma proteins into a small volume of anti-inflammatory solution.
03 Administer
Two to three cc of the anti-inflammatory solution will then be directly injected into the osteoarthritic joint using ultrasound guidance, reducing joint pain and improving joint function.
APS injections
Key benefits of APS treatment
DECREASED RISK VS. SURGERY
Since APS therapy is a conservative approach to joint osteoarthritis and requires no incisions, bleeding, infections, and post-procedure complications are extremely rare– especially compared to surgery. The procedure is safe for all age groups, genders, and levels of activity. It is also safe for patients with interfering medical conditions.
PAIN RELIEF & IMPROVED FUNCTION
APS therapy releases growth factors that enhance tissue regeneration and healing. This leads to better outcomes and a faster healing time for patients, with none of the downtime associated with surgery. As an effective pain relief treatment and promoter of faster healing, APS often improves the function of the osteoarthritic joint beyond what the patient thought possible. It also can eliminate the need for surgery and prolonged recovery.
OUTPATIENT PROCEDURE
All Beyond Biologics™ APS injections are performed in a comfortable office setting. Patients are fully conscious during the procedure, which eliminates significant risks as well as the costs associated with anesthesia. Since APS injections are a non-surgical treatment option, procedures can take as little as 30 minutes.
LESS COSTLY THAN SURGERY
Compared to joint replacement surgery, an APS injection procedure at Beyond Biologics™ offers patients significant savings. For one thing, patients are spared the hidden costs of facility fees and anesthesia. Additionally, since APS is a non-surgical treatment with very little risk of complication, there is no need for patients to rack up fees by staying overnight in a hospital.
NATURAL HEALING
APS injections promote tissue repair by harnessing the body’s natural healing process. Nothing synthetic is added to the body–merely the patient’s own blood cells.
APS injection for knee osteoarthritis
A recent study titled Clinical Outcomes of Knee Osteoarthritis Treated With an Autologous Protein Solution Injection: A 1-Year Pilot Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial provides evidence to support the safety and clinical improvement at 1-year follow-up of a single intra-articular injection of APS in patients affected by knee osteoarthritis. Treatment with APS or a saline injection provided significant pain relief over the course of the study with differences becoming apparent at between 6 and 12 months after treatment.
Testimonials
Answers
Frequently asked questions about APS injections
What makes APS different from PRP?
A major difference between APS and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is the content of leukocytes and associated anti-inflammatory cytokines. APS has high concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines and anabolic growth factors which can slow cartilage degeneration, reduce joint paint, and improve joint function. For this reason, APS is a highly effective treatment for osteoarthritis. If you are not sure whether your condition would be better treated by APS or PRP, contact Beyond Biologics™ to discuss your treatment options.
What conditions can be treated with APS therapy?
APS therapy is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis in the knee, hip, elbow, or shoulder.
How effective is an APS treatment?
Clinical studies have shown APS therapy to be an effective therapy for osteoarthritis, with successful treatment reducing pain and increasing joint mobility for a period of up to 12 months post-treatment.
What are the risks and side effects of APS therapy?
Serious risks or complications following APS therapy are extremely rare. As APS therapy is a non-surgical procedure, patients need not worry about the risks that come with operations, such as anesthesia, blood clots, added pain during recovery, and more.
The side effects of APS injections align with what one might expect, with the most common effect being pain for 24-28 hours after the injection, or swelling and bruising at the injection site. In the vast majority of cases, this discomfort is quick to subside. In fact, many Beyond Biologics™ patients go to work or continue on with their day immediately following an injection. Severe complications, such as those a patient might experience after surgery, are very rare.
What is the cost of an APS treatment and does insurance cover APS therapy?
Many insurance plans do not cover regenerative therapies such as APS therapy. Unfortunately, this means that patients often pay for treatment out-of-pocket. Though the out-of-pocket expenses are not ideal, injection therapies cost vastly less than the surgical alternative. To get an idea of what your treatment would cost, it is best to contact Beyond Biologics™ directly.
