Podcast Summary: Más de uno

Episode: Hablamos de medicina regenerativa con el Dr. Manuel Díaz Samada
Host: OndaCero (Carlos Alsina)
Guest: Dr. Manuel Díaz Samada, Jefe de Servicio de Traumatología y Cirugía Ortopédica, HM Hospitales Málaga
Date: December 16, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Carlos Alsina interviews Dr. Manuel Díaz Samada, head of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedic Surgery at HM Hospitales Málaga, focusing on advances in regenerative medicine, especially minimally invasive and biological therapies for joint, tendon, and muscle injuries. The conversation explores how HM Hospitales implement these techniques, the role of the multidisciplinary team, innovations in surgical navigation, and the hospital's commitment to education and technological progress.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Implementation of Regenerative Medicine Techniques at HM Hospitales

[00:24 - 02:46]

• Approach:
  Dr. Díaz Samada explains that the hospital prioritizes less invasive alternatives before considering major surgery for musculoskeletal pain—like joint, tendon, or muscle issues that impact daily activities.

• Techniques Used:

  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP):
    Obtained from the patient’s own blood to reduce inflammation and aid natural tissue repair.
  • Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Procedures:
    Conducted using ultrasound guidance, ensuring precision without the need to open the joint, leading to faster recovery.
  • Cartilage Preservation:
    Specialized protocols designed especially for younger or more active patients to protect joint health over the long term.

• Patient-Centered Care:
  Each case is evaluated in detail to find the least aggressive and most effective solution for a quicker return to normal life.

• Indications for These Techniques:

  • Tendon injuries (e.g., tennis elbow, patellar tendonitis, shoulder rotator cuff).

  • Muscle injuries due to sports (strains, partial tears) where PRP helps in healing and speeds up recovery.

  • Quote:

    "Utilizamos tratamientos tan conocidos hoy día como el plasma rico en plaquetas, que se obtiene de la propia sangre del paciente para reducir la inflamación y mejorar a la vez que favorecer la reparación natural del tejido."
    (Dr. Díaz Samada, [00:48])

  • Early-stage or moderate osteoarthritis. In severe cases, these treatments may help but are not curative.

2. The Multidisciplinary Approach in Sports Medicine

[02:46 - 04:05]

• Growing Demand:
  There is an increasing number of sports-related injuries among the general (non-professional) population aiming for a better quality of life.

• Prevention & Recovery:
  Most injuries stem from a lack of adequate preparation or improper training. The importance of proper conditioning and prevention is emphasized.

• Differentiating Factors of HM Hospitales:

  • Multidisciplinary team: traumatologists, sports doctors, physiotherapists, podiatrists, nutritionists, psychologists, and a biological therapy unit.
  • Integrated care increases the chances of recovery and reduces relapse rates.

• Quote:

  "Lo que nos hace diferentes es el trabajo multidisciplinar [...] la probabilidad de la recuperación y volver con un menor índice de recaída aumenta."
  (Dr. Díaz Samada, [03:39])

• Philosophy:
  Prevention is preferable, but when injury occurs, coordinated, team-based care is essential for optimal recovery.

3. What Distinguishes HM Hospitales’ Traumatology Service

[04:05 - 06:07]

• Teamwork & Specialization:
  Dr. Díaz Samada’s guiding principles are team cohesion and multidisciplinarity.

• Organizational Structure:
  Five specialized sub-units led by experts:

  • Dr. Ferrer: biological treatments
  • Dr. Gómez Cáceres: sports traumatology
  • Dr. Carnero: upper limb
  • Dr. Doncell: lower limb
  • Dr. Virgilio de Lemo: spine pathology

• Training and Advancement:
  Emphasis on ongoing education, especially in orthopedics, battered by the demands of emergency trauma care.
  Continuous adoption of new techniques and materials is vital.

• Commitment to Education:
  The group, in partnership with HM, commits strongly to teaching and research, as reflected in their institutional philosophy.

• Quote:

  "Mi obsesión desde el principio siempre ha sido la de crear equipo. No creo para nada en los individualismos ni en los francotiradores."
  (Dr. Díaz Samada, [04:22])

4. Technological Innovation: Intraoperative Navigation for Spinal Surgery

[06:07 - 07:29]

• Pioneering Technology:
  HM Málaga is the first private hospital in Andalucía to implement state-of-the-art 3D intraoperative imaging and surgical navigation for spinal procedures.

• Benefits:

  • Increased patient safety and surgical precision.
  • Unique to private healthcare in the region.
  • Optimizes all phases of spinal surgery and reduces complications in placing implants.
  • Surgeons view high-resolution 3D images in real-time to guide precise placement.

• Upcoming Innovations:
  The hospital is set to incorporate robotic assistance in knee and hip surgeries to further enhance accuracy and reduce complications.

• Quote:

  "El Hospital HM Málaga ha incorporado un innovador sistema de imagen tridimensional intraoperatoria y de navegación quirúrgica, lo que se traduce en una mejora sobre todo en la seguridad y del paciente y en la precisión de la cirugía de columna."
  (Dr. Díaz Samada, [06:19])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Regenerative Medicine:

  "Lo importante es estudiar cada paciente en detalle cada caso y buscar la solución menos agresiva y más efectiva para que puedan volver a la vida normal lo antes posible."
  (Dr. Díaz Samada, [01:37])

• On Team Philosophy:

  "Sólo hay que llevar con suavidad la batuta de la organización, que es lo que yo pretendo."
  (Dr. Díaz Samada, [05:23])

• Regarding Training and Research:

  "HM tiene en su ADN una apuesta firme por la docencia, formación e investigación."
  (Dr. Díaz Samada, [05:50])

Key Timestamps

• [00:24] – Implementation and objectives of regenerative medicine at HM Hospitales.
• [02:46] – Focus on sports medicine and multidisciplinary care.
• [04:05] – Distinguishing features of HM Hospitales’ traumatology service.
• [06:07] – Introduction and impact of intraoperative 3D navigation in spine surgery.
• [07:29] – Preview of upcoming robotic surgery technologies.

Tone:
The conversation is clear, informative, and accessible, with Dr. Díaz Samada articulating a patient-centered, forward-looking approach, and Carlos Alsina guiding the discussion with concise, well-timed questions.

For listeners:
This episode is packed with practical explanations of new medical techniques and institutions' advances, enriched by the guest's experience and sharply focused on how patient care, teamwork, and innovation are shaping the future of traumatology and orthopedic surgery.