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THE SECRETS OF STEM CELLS

WHAT EXACTLY ARE STEM CELLS AND HOW DO THEY WORK TO REPAIR VARIOUS BODY TISSUES?

Stem cells are cells found in human bone marrow and adipose tissue primarily that have the capacity to transform into other types of tissue that may have been damaged and are in need of repair. We are most interested in their ability to transform into musculoskeletal tissue that has been worn away or damaged.

HOW LONG HAS THIS THERAPY BEEN AVAILABLE?

Utilizing adult pluripotent stem cells in musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis has been developing for many years. However, the field of orthobiologics, which encompasses primarily the use of stem cells and blood products such as PRP (platelet rich plasma) has been popularized only in the past 10 years.

HOW LONG DOES THE PROCEDURE TAKE AND WHAT IS INVOLVED?

The procedure of harvesting your own bone marrow and injecting the bone marrow concentrate that has been prepared by centrifugation and separation of the stem cells from the other components and then reinjection of the product takes about an hour and half. At Pueblo Surgical Center, affiliated with our orthopedic office, we utilize a light general anesthetic so that there is no discomfort to the patient and they generally awaken refreshed and without pain.

IS THERE A DOWNTIME LIKE THERE IS WITH TRADITIONAL ORTHOPEDIC SURGERIES?

Post-injection patients can resume essentially normal activities with the exception that they avoid strenuous physical activity for 48 hours.

FOR WHAT TYPES OF INJURIES OR CONDITIONS DOES STEM CELL THERAPY WORK BEST?

Stem cells are used in many different medical specialties. In orthopedics and musculoskeletal medicine orthobiologics (the use of stem cells and PRP) is utilized for arthritic joints such as hips and knees in order to attempt to avoid joint replacements. That also holds true for shoulder and back problems. Rather than injecting steroids for back pain, we prefer to use a combination of BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) and PRP, which has stronger anti-inflammatory qualities and potentially long-term regenerative capacity rather than the antimetabolic effects of corticosteroids.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE IF SOMEONE IS A CANDIDATE FOR STEM CELL THERAPY?

If an individual is suffering from joint pain or back pain, they are generally likely to be a candidate if it can be determined that the cause is arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Orthobiologics are also useful adjuncts to arthroscopic shoulder surgery in order to hasten the healing of rotator cuff injuries.

WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING WITH SCT IN THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS?

There has been some reluctance by a part of the orthopedic community to fully embrace orthobiologics as a major tool in the therapeutic armamentarium in part because it eliminates some of the surgical procedures that are the mainstay of an orthopedic surgeon’s livelihood and in part because it is new and the clinical research is still in progress on its efficacy.

Once those issues are resolved, I believe that utilization of biologic solutions to address mechanical orthopedic problems will be well accepted and utilized extensively to avoid major surgical procedures. The insurance industry has been slow to embrace this area of medicine, which I believe will significantly change in the not-too-distant future. We are at the early stages in the evolution of harvesting the human body’s own capacity to heal itself. This area of medicine will continue to grow and eliminate more aggressive solutions to bone and joint problems such as metal and plastic implants. It stands to reason that biologic solutions are better than bionic ones. More information Scheinberg Orthopedic Group 1914 Truxtun Ave. 661-430-9050