dHACM
What is dHACM?
Dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (brand name AmnioFix) is a tissue allograft with regenerative properties.
How does it work?
dHACM is an allograft product which contains cytokines and growth factors. These factors stimulate both wound healing and tissue repair, and help with the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The synthesis and degradation of the ECM is essential to maintaining tissue function, so keeping it functioning well is beneficial for healing.
What Conditions Does it Treat?
While the primary application of AmnioFix is in the treatment of chronic wounds, it has also been approved for knee osteoarthritis, tendinitis/tendinopathy, and can help in other orthopaedic and degenerative conditions.
Is it Effective?
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Wound Healing
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Researchers from Northwestern University found that dHACM is effective at wound healing, with multiple studies reporting 12 week wound closure healing rates of over 90%. dHCAM's efficacy in treating chronic wounds is well documented, leaving plenty of opportunity for its use in other fields!
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Osteoarthritis (especially of the knee) and tendinopathy
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dHACM injection has benefitted patients with osteoarthritis in some studies.
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An initial study by Vines et al demonstrated that dHACM injection could be used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
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A 2019 study found that dHACM injection decreased pain and improved function in 20 patients with varying degrees of knee osteoarthritis.
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Tendinopathy
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A study of 50 patients from Weill Cornell Medical College found that dHACM injection was clinically effective at treating osteoarthritis and tendinopathy, in terms of both pain and function.
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Tennis elbow
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After 5 patients received a dHACM injection four reported reduced symptoms after 3 months.
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Chronic plantar fasciitis
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dHACM has the potential to prevent tendon adhesions. In one study, patients injected with dHACM reported lower hindfoot pain scores than those who were.
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Other orthopaedic uses studied
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tibial bone defects
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facet joint syndrome pain
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symptomatic knee pain
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ACL reconstruction
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Practical Use
dHACM appears to be effective at treating wounds, easy to store, and has a long shelf life. The AmnioFix brand has been proven to have less complications than some, and this may help offset costs.
Though more extensive studies need to be performed for clinical use of dHACMs like AmnioFix to be widespread and routine, the future of these treatments seems bright.
Please contact the office if you would like to learn more!