Stem Cell Injections
Adult stem cells, called Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are found in abundance in abdominal adipose tissues and bone marrow. They have the unique ability to renew themselves, and differentiate into bone, cartilage, ligament and tendon cells which the body uses to maintain, repair and rebuild tissue.
Stem cell therapy harnesses the regenerative capacity of these naturally – occurring stem cells and delivers them to specific areas, to treat a diverse range of orthopedic and sports injuries and conditions. The goal is to reduce pain and improve function safely with low-risk.
The procedure requires bone marrow aspiration, or liposuction of adipose tissue, to harvest the stem cells that are then prepared for transplantation. The concentrated stem cells and growth factors are then injected into the injured or damaged tissues. This provides stem cells in numbers greater than your body is capable of providing. The stem cells go to work transforming into the type of cells needed for repair and releasing growth factors to slow degeneration and inflammation for optimal healing.
Tendon injuries of the knee, shoulder, elbow and are very common in both the athletic and general population causing pain and disability. Tendons have a limited blood supply, injuries are difficult to heal, heal slowly and form scar tissue which makes them prone to reinjury.
Overuse, old injuries, age and stress can lead to tears in the tendon that degenerate tendon tissue, often called tendinitis. Degeneration results in a loss of strength and stability and causes chronic pain and disability which can eventually lead to the need for joint replacement.
Stem cell therapy can help to avoid excessive scar tissue, regenerate normal tendon tissue and reduce reinjury rates. It accelerates healing and pain relief that can last for years, and in some cases, can permanently eliminate pain and disability. Stem cell therapy can help prevent the onset of arthritis and help patients avoid joint replacement surgery.
Tennis elbow is inflammation of the tendons (tendonitis) that join the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondylitis). Golfer’s Elbow (medical epicondylitis) is tendonitis of the inner part of the elbow where the muscles that bend the wrist and fingers attach. The most common cause is overuse leading to inflammation and microtears in the tendons.
Current conservative and surgical management of tennis elbow has shown inconsistent success rates. Stem cell injection therapy has shown rapid clinical improvement in pain and function and tissue repair.
- Hip osteoarthritis (OA) alone or as a result of hip impingement (abnormal wear in the joint) erodes the hip joint causing pain, disability and poor quality of life. Cartilage has a poor self-healing ability. Traditional and current surgical treatment procedures for OA are limited and incapable of reversing the damage of articular cartilage. Hip injections of adipose-derived MSCs is a simple, minimally invasive single stage procedure is beneficial for patients with early to moderate hip osteoarthrosis.
- Labral tears of the cartilage rim of the hip socket are caused by trauma or repetitive motions. A labral tear also predisposes the joint to post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Stem cell therapy is safe and effective to treat arthritic cartilage damage, and specific cartilage lesions. The effect is the growth of new cartilage.
Stem cell therapy can repair knee cartilage destroyed by osteoarthritis and injury. It can also be used during ACL reconstruction to facilitate healing. Stem cell therapy offers long-lasting pain relief and function improvement. It is a safe and effective treatment option for knee osteoarthritis and has the potential to delay knee replacement.
Healing after meniscus repair is restricted by an inadequate blood supply even when the tear is stabilized. To enhance healing biological augmentation with stem cells can enhance healing and regeneration of the meniscus.
