What if you could regrow cartilage or heal a fracture without metal plates? That's the promise of orthobiologics — stem cells, growth factors, and platelet‑rich plasma (PRP). The US orthopedic devices market forecast shows that orthobiologics are the fastest‑growing segment, with a CAGR above 7%. But hype exceeds evidence. While PRP for tennis elbow and knee arthritis has decent data, stem cell injections for osteoarthritis are still unproven — and not FDA‑approved.

What does work? Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) for spinal fusion — they eliminate the need for harvesting bone from your hip. Also, demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and synthetic bone grafts for fracture repair. The US orthopedic devices market analysis notes that plastic and biodegradable materials are growing faster than metal, as patients and surgeons seek less invasive, more biological solutions.

But beware of clinics offering stem cell therapy for $10,000 cash. Many use unregulated products that can cause infections or tumours. Stick to FDA‑approved orthobiologics, and ask for published studies.

The bottom line: orthobiologics are a promising frontier, but not a miracle. Use them as adjuncts to good surgery, not replacements for it.