The Importance of the Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system is a network of muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments that provide us with the ability to perform the tasks of daily living.
Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases significantly impact the quality of life. These disorders are the most frequently reported impairments in the United States. More than 100 million Americans have musculoskeletal conditions with limitations of function that are chronic and permanent.
The cost to our society for these conditions exceeds $800 billion every year. The human cost, however, goes beyond dollars. Limitation of activity, nagging or severe pain, unsightly deformity, or the inability to function normally each have enormous impact on the quality of life.
Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedics is a medical specialty that deals with the musculoskeletal system and uses medical, physical, and surgical methods to restore function lost as a result of injury or disease. An orthopaedist, also called an orthopaedic surgeon, is a highly skilled physician trained in a variety of medical and surgical techniques that will be used during your surgery. The lengthy educational process that is required to become an orthopaedic surgeon helps assure a high level of skill and competence.
What grafts are used in orthopaedic surgery?
Bone or tissue transplanted from one part of a person’s body to another part is called an autograft.
Bone or tissue transplanted from the body of one person to another person is called an allograft.
The term graft is commonly used to refer to either an allograft or an autograft.
Where does allograft musculoskeletal tissue or bone come from?
As you may be aware, many people choose to donate their organs and tissues. These otherwise healthy people often become donors as the result of an unexpected death. Most allograft musculoskeletal tissue used comes from such donors. Occasionally though, allograft bone may come from a living patient.
How is the bone recovered from the donor?
A tissue bank is an organization that provides donor screening, recovery, processing, storage, and/or distribution of allograft tissue. Specialists trained in transplantation recover and process donated musculoskeletal tissues. These professionals are well trained and most have passed a rigorous examination that certifies them on the basis of their knowledge in all areas of tissue banking including decontamination techniques, quality assurance, quality control, product testing, labeling, and record keeping.
JRF Ortho specializes in providing orthopedic surgeons with the highest viability, most widely available
cartilage solutions in the industry. Our goal is to provide innovative solutions for allograft joint repair to orthopedic surgeons who specialize in helping patients regain movement and improve their quality of life; thus, JRF Ortho is redefining the standard for allograft joint repair and maximizing the gift of donation. Our unique member relationship with AlloSource??and Community Tissue Services??(CTS) enables us to offer the largest selection of specialized high-viability fresh osteochondral grafts, tendons and menisci in the industry. Through innovation and a commitment to clinical results and positive outcomes, JRF Ortho is redefining the standard for allograft joint repair.
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