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How to choose fat (adipose) or bone marrow stem cells for your treatment

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 22:08:03 GMT

Adipose stem cells vs. bone marrow stem cells: What should I do for joint arthritis?

As arthritis continues to pose challenges with few options, there is growing attention towards treatment methods like stem cell therapy with PRP and orthobiologics. These therapies offer the possibility of pain relief and improved function for millions of people. Among the sources of adult stem cells there are adipose (fat) and bone marrow which are the two main reservoirs in the human body important for orthopedic function. It is important to explore which option holds the most effective path to treating joint arthritis.

These special cells utilize the bodies natural repair mechanisms to to do two main things. Reduce inflammation and facilitate tissue regeneration. However choosing between adipose and bone marrow stem cells can be a decision for patients. In this guide we will delve into the basics of adipose versus bone marrow stem cells in treating joint arthritis.

Understanding Adipose Stem Cells:

Adipose stem cells are derived from tissue typically obtained through liposuction procedures. At our clinic this procedure requires a small amount and is relatively painless. Research suggests that adipose stem cells possess inflammatory properties and have the potential to differentiate into various cell types thereby aiding in the repair of arthritic joints.

Potential Advantages:

-The extraction process is minimally invasive causing very little discomfort while being done with a numbing medication like lidocaine.

-It allows for a higher quantity of stem cells to be collected as the reservoir is larger than that of bone marrow.

-There is a natural scaffold in fat tissue that aids in the repair of tissue that is not found in a bone marrow medium.

Possible Disadvantages:

-Historically there is more research with bone marrow stem cell treatment, but adipose tissue research is rapidly catching up.

Understanding Bone Marrow Stem Cells:

These stem cells are typically extracted from the hip bone under local anesthesia with lidocaine, while being done under fluorscopic xray guidance. This provides an efficient procedure as it allows our doctors to know exactly what region of the hip bone is best in order to capture the most amount. Bone marrow stem cells have been utilized in medicine for a long period of time with a vast amount of literature to show its safety profile. Bone marrow stem cells have unique characteristics being multipotent and can assist many tissues in rapid healing.

Potential Benefits:

-They have experience and research support behind them.

-Their effectiveness has been proven in treating bone, joint, cartilage and ligament diseases.

-There is a wide variety of healing cells that mature and develop in the bone marrow cavity that assist the healing process.

Possible Drawbacks:

-The method of collecting these stem cells is a little more invasive.

-Can be more painful.

-The bone compartment for bone marrow tissue is restricted to a small space, whereas adipose tissue is much larger.

Adipose and Bone Marrow Stem Cells as Treatment Options:

When considering the efficacy of both types of cells, they have demonstrated potential in reducing pain and improving function in osteoarthritis, cartilage and nerve damage, tendonopathies and ligament strains. However there are differences regarding safety, cost and accessibility.

Efficacy:

Both adipose and bone marrow derived stem cells have shown results in studies involving animals and a vast amount of human trials. However treatment outcomes depend on factors such as the patients health conditions, medications they are on, age, weight and specific treatment protocols.The ability to perform these procedures as an outpatient is also a very attractive option as it reduces cost and the danger of hospital acquired infections. At our clinic, we have never in 10 years seen an infection caused by our procedures, which is an impossibilty for a hospital to state.

Accessibility;

The costs for stem cell treatments can vary significantly depending on factors such as the technology used and the location where it is performed. We use state of the art imaging systems such as ultrasound and fluorscopy to acquire the stem cells and inject them with a high degree of assurance to its needed location. If the clinic you seek out does not have these systems in place then it should be avoided.

Conclusion:

Both adipose derived and bone marrow stem cells have their strengths and limitations. Adipose derived cells offer an method of extraction potentially yielding greater quantities. On the hand bone marrow cells have a longer history of research study and application in many different types oftreatments.

If you're considering stem cell therapy for arthritis, it is essential to have a conversation with one of our physicians to review the research and take into account your individual health needs. By making decisions and seeking expert guidance with our doctors, you can confidently explore the potential of stem cell therapy to improve health. Ongoing research will further clarify the benefits of both adipose and bone marrow derived stem cells leading to effective treatments for arthritis in the future. To discuss your case with one of our doctors please reach out to one of our care coordinators at (262) 202 8312. We're happy to offer a free phone consultation to assess your pain and medical condition to ensure that you're an ideal candidate before any personal or financial commitment is made.

References:

Kim, JD., Lee, G.W., Jung, G.H. et al. Clinical outcome of autologous bone marrow aspirates concentrate (BMAC) injection in degenerative arthritis of the knee. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 24, 1505–1511 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1393-9

Bistolfi, A., Roato, I., Fornelli, G. et al. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis by intra-articular injection of concentrated autologous adipose tissue: a twenty four month follow-up study. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 45, 627–633 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-020-04923-0

Alessio Biazzo, Riccardo D’Ambrosi, Francesco Masia, Vincenzo Izzo & Francesco Verde (2020) Autologous adipose stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis: where are we now?, The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 48:4, 392-399, DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2020.1758001

Breaking Down the Science Behind Stem Cell Treatments for Joint Pain

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 20:12:12 GMT

How do these special cells work?

Are you tired of suffering from joint pain that limits your mobility and quality of life? These treatments have become a hot topic in recent years as a possible solution for those seeking relief. But what exactly are stem cells, and how do they work to alleviate joint pain? In this blog post, what we would like to do is help you understand the science behind these treatments for joint pain, exploring their potential benefits and limitations. Get ready to discover how these innovative therapies could help you regain your freedom of movement!

What are Stem Cells?

These are vital cells that help the body restore damaged tissue, help to differentiate into other types of tissues and can self-renew to produce more cells. In the context of joint pain, they can be used to alleviate pain by restoring tissue to optimize function.

The two types of stem cells in the human body are embryonic and adult. Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos with the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body. Conversely, the adult type are found in many tissues throughout the body and can only differentiate into specific types of cells.

The use of these cells for joint pain is a relatively new treatment option, but it has shown superior results in a vast amount of clinical trials. Many studies showed that patients who received these cell-based injections into their knees had a significant reduction in pain and improved function compared to those who did not receive the injection. The same has been shown for shoulder pain and rotator cuff tendonitis, lower back pain and degenerative disc disease, and most all joint arthritis conditions.

How Does Stem Cell Treatment Work for Joint Pain?

There are a few different types of treatments that are effective for joint pain. The most common type is autologous therapy, which uses the patient's own cells. This is usually done by taking a sample of bone marrow from the hip, concentrating the important components and then injecting them into the affected joint.

Another type of cell-based treatment is allogeneic, which uses these cells from a donor. This is often used when the patient does not have enough healthy stem cells to use for autologous therapy. Allogeneic therapy can be done by either injecting the donor cells directly into your affected joint or by intravenously infusing the cells. Whichever type of therapy is used, the goal is to allow the new cells to replace the damaged ones and help repair tissues in your joints or tendons.

What Are The Benefits of These Treatments for Joint Pain?

There are numerous benefits of stem cell treatments for joint pain. One of the most promising benefits is the ability to heal damaged tissue. This regeneration can help to repair and improve the function of joints that have been damaged by arthritis or other conditions. Additionally, they can help to reduce inflammation and pain in your joints caused by inflammation. We do this by producing substances that help to modulate the immune system and reprogram cell function. Finally, these treatments have been shown to restore function while improving mobility for patients who progressively get worse.

Risks and Side Effects of These Treatments for Joint Pain

The risks and side effects for stem cell and orthobiologic treatment is surprisingly safe. All the below complications are rare other than the post procedure pain and tenderness.

-Infection

-Tissue damage

-Nerve damage

-Blood clots

-Stroke

-Heart attack

-Cancer

-Post procedure pain and tenderness

As these side effects do exist, when done by a skilled physician, the occurrence is very low.

How to Find a Qualified Regenerative Medicine Provider?

When looking for a qualified provider for treatment, it's essential to look for a few key things. First, you need to make sure the physician has experience with practicing in this area. This includes how many years of treating patients with regenerative medicine and consistent attendance at academic conferences to stay up to date.

Second, be sure to ask about the provider's use of radiologic imaging to provide accurate injections and transplantation of orthobiologics. This includes fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance. The gold standard is to be able to visualize exactly where the needle goes in order to accurately place the stems cell, PRP and orthobiologics.

Third, ask about the success rates of the provider's previous patients. Finally, reading the existing reviews will provide a good estimate on the skill of the physician and how they interact with patients on a day-to-day basis.

Conclusion

Regenerative medicine treatments for joint pain can provide a viable, long-term solution to the chronic and debilitating condition. By understanding the science behind cell-based therapy and how they interact with our body's natural healing process, we can begin to appreciate just how powerful and effective these treatments are. We hope this article has provided some clarity on the topic of stem cell treatments for joint pain so that you feel confident in making an informed decision about what type of treatment is right for you.

At Spectrum Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Center our goal is to always educate the patient first so they can better understand the treatment process. At your initial consultation, the physician will sit down with you and answer every important question so you are prepared to take the next important step toward the recovery process. Please call a patient care coordinator at 262-202-8312 to start the process!

References:

Centeno, C.J., Al-Sayegh, H., Freeman, M.D. et al. A multi-center analysis of adverse events among two thousand, three hundred and seventy two adult patients undergoing adult autologous stem cell therapy for orthopaedic conditions. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 40, 1755–1765 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-016-3162-y

Liu, Y., Wu, J., Zhu, Y. et al. Therapeutic application of mesenchymal stem cells in bone and joint diseases. Clin Exp Med 14, 13–24 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-012-0218-1

What Is The Best Treatment For Tennis Elbow?

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 17:03:06 GMT

What Is Lateral Epicondylitis And Its Causes?

The sport of tennis is growing in popularity each day, with millions of people around the world enjoying the thrill of the game. A widely known injury associated with racquet sports is tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis. It’s a form of joint pain caused by high repetition use of the tendons which are attached to the muscles that control elbow movement. Between 1% to 3% of Americans will develop this condition, however, the recovery may take up to 18 months. Approximately 95% of people with this type of pain get better with nonsurgical treatments.

If you’re suffering from this problem and looking for treatment options, this blog will help you understand the condition better and the possible treatment options available. You can also find out about the symptoms of tennis elbow, its causes, and how it can be diagnosed. Read further to understand more about diagnosis, treatment options, and managing your recovery.

What is Tennis Elbow?

It is a painful inflammation of the outside of the elbow joint caused by repetitive stress (overuse). This condition is mostly seen in athletes who regularly play racquet sports or use forearm muscles for repetitive gripping. As this condition can affect most anyone, it is more common in people with arthritis or other risk factors for the condition.

The symptoms vary from person to person and may include pain, tenderness, swelling, and redness over the outside of the elbow. Many people experience pain when making lateral forearm movements, such as lifting a forearm toward the body or pointing it out to the side.

Lateral epicondylitis is often misdiagnosed because it is similar to other conditions, such as bursitis and tendinitis, which also cause pain and swelling of the outside of the arm. However, this condition causes inflammation of the tendons of forearm muscles that connect to the epicondylar region of the humerus bone. This part of the arm is responsible for raising and straightening your arm. Additionally, activities that involve repetitive gripping movements and especially those involving the thumb and first two fingers increase your chances of developing tennis elbow.

What are Tennis Elbow Symptoms?

lateral epicondylitis presents with severe inflammation of the elbow joint caused by overuse.
Symptoms include pain on the outside of the joint when extending your arm fully or bending your forearm fully.
Pain is most severe when you straighten your arm fully or fully extend it from your shoulder. It may radiate down the back of your forearm as well.
Pain with this condition can last for up to months and sometimes years.
The best treatment in the beginning can be physical therapy, splinting your arm during activity, and platelet-rich plasma injections or PRP.
Following the prescribed treatment plan can help relieve the pain and prevent recurring symptoms.

Diagnosing Tennis Elbow

To diagnose this condition, your doctor will do a physical exam of the elbow and forearm, as well as range-of-motion and strength tests.
Imaging tests, such as musculoskeletal ultrasound or X-ray, MRI, or electromyography tests may be used to identify any damage to this region.
Our doctors will discuss your symptoms and treatment options with regenerative medicine such as PRP or stem cells.

Treatment Options for Lateral Epicondylitis

There are various non-surgical treatments, including rest, physiotherapy, acupuncture/acupressure, anti-inflammatory medications, and a wrist and forearm splint or brace.

One of the most commonly performed treatments that has passed the gold standard test is platelet-rich plasma injections or bone marrow stem cells, which are one of the most frequently performed treatments. In this technique, the physician will withdraw blood from a vein in an arm and/or bone marrow from the hip and spin it down before injecting it into the painful tendons. Steroid injections were far less effective than PRP. Many patients may be suggested to follow up with a surgeon but this is generally seen with poor outcomes.

When using regenerative medicine to regenerate the tendon tissue, it also helps to stop the inflammation that leads to it becoming chronic. Most outcomes are very favorable for PRP or bone marrow stem cells. Conversely, if you use steroids to reduce the inflammation you risk damaging the tissue further as steroids degrade the tissues and lead to tearing or chronic deterioration.

Here at Spectrum Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Center, we have helped many patients with tennis elbow get back to life and play the sports they love.

Please call one of our care coordinators at 262-202-8312 now to assist in the process of answering questions and getting treatment.

References:

Singh, Ajit; Gangwar, D. S.; Singh, Shekhar1. Injection of bone marrow concentrates for treatment of refractory tennis elbow. Saudi Journal of Sports Medicine 13(2):p 98-101, Jul–Dec 2013. | DOI: 10.4103/1319-6308.123392

Murrell, W.D., Tulpule, S., Yurdi, N.A., Ezekwesili, A., Maffulli, N., Malanga, G.A. (2022). Orthobiologics for the Treatment of Tennis Elbow. In: Filardo, G., Mandelbaum, B.R., Muschler, G.F., Rodeo, S.A., Nakamura, N. (eds) Orthobiologics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84744-9_15

Berardo Di Matteo, Riccardo Ranieri, Angelo Manca, Simone Cappato, Maurilio Marcacci, Elizaveta Kon, Alessandro Castagna, "Cell-Based Therapies for the Treatment of Shoulder and Elbow Tendinopathies: A Scoping Review", Stem Cells International, vol. 2021, Article ID 5558040, 12 pages, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5558040

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 23:09:29 GMT

A Brief Understanding of PRP for Joint Pain

How does Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) work?

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is highly popular due to its potential as a safe and natural alternative to surgery. Platelets are found in the blood and abound with growth factors and cytokines which can have a positive effect on inflammation, postoperative bleeding, infection, osteogenesis, wounds, muscle tears and soft tissue healing. In addition to these growth factors and cytokines, research suggests that platelets also release many signaling proteins that draw macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts which could accelerate recovery with reduced pain or discomfort.

What Evidence Do We Have For PRP?

PRP techniques are increasingly used in orthopedic medicine. Clinical studies have reported that this regenerative medicine therapy can shorten recovery time, enhance bone strength, produce bone healing in a shorter time, decrease wound infection rates, and reduce swelling and pain. The lay person need only do a literature review for PRP research on Google Scholar to find hundreds, if not thousands of research studies to show its benefits in many areas related to orthopedic medicine.

PRP Has Been Used for How Long?

For decades it has been utilized to help treat tendinopathy. It began gaining traction in the early 90s as physicians observed positive results from concentrating a person's blood factors. Compared to prolotherapy which involves injected sugar solutions, PRP is more complicated and requires specialized equipment to do it properly. That said, many practitioners have found that it yields a more substantial response with fewer treatments and better tissue health than prolotherapy if done correctly.

Is There Tenderness After These Injections?

It is expected that pain for up to 3 days will follow the injection of PRP because it causes temporary local inflammation (constructive and healthy inflammation). There is, however, less discomfort after a procedure when platelet rich plasma is combined with reduced white cells (also called leukocyte-poor PRP) ask your doctor for more information).

What Should you Expect After an Injection?

It is important to note that NSAIDs should be avoided for about 10 days before and several weeks after the platelet rich plasma treatment to ensure the growth factors and inflammatory healing response are not hindered. A physical therapy program developed for each individual patient is essential for long-term success, being recommended before, and resumed seven to fourteen days following the procedure. Results depend on age, and severity of the condition treated, however, relief from pain can start two weeks after, with sustained relief often noticeable by twelve weeks.

Is it Safe to Use PRP?

The safety of platelet rich plasma has been well established, with no reports of severe adverse reactions found in scientific literature. As this treatment does involve a needle, there will always be a risk of bleeding, infection or injury to soft tissues. Patients should be made aware that this procedure is not a ‘time machine’- it's not possible for an aging knee to become the same as when it was 19 years old. It's also important to note that the rehabilitation process before and after the injection is just as important as the process itself, and in some circumstances, may mean that with the PRP injection, it creates a synergistic effect that is very powerful.

Spectrum Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine Center Can Help: Send an appointment inquiry online or call 262-202-8312 to learn whether PRP or cell-based treatments are right for you.

Research Citations:

Arnoczky, Steven P. DVM*; Shebani-Rad, Shahin MD, MS†. The Basic Science of Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP): What Clinicians Need to Know. Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Review 21(4):p 180-185, December 2013. | DOI: 10.1097/JSA.0b013e3182999712

Rubina Alves, Ramon Grimalt; A Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma: History, Biology, Mechanism of Action, and Classification. Skin Appendage Disord 16 January 2018; 4 (1): 18–24. https://doi.org/10.1159/000477353

Foster TE, Puskas BL, Mandelbaum BR, Gerhardt MB, Rodeo SA. Platelet-Rich Plasma: From Basic Science to Clinical Applications. The American Journal of Sports Medicine. 2009;37(11):2259-2272. doi:10.1177/0363546509349921

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Shoulder pain? Here are your treatment options with rotator cuff tears.

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:22:35 GMT

Why surgery is not a great option for rotator cuff tears, Here is what the research says:

Surgery should best the last option!

Did you know that Rotator cuff tears are responsible for more than 2 million Americans to visit their physicians each year? Adults who experience shoulder achiness or stiffness, pain, and loss of movement frequently have this type of damage.

Your shoulder can become weak if you have rotator cuff disease. As a result, doing basic daily tasks—like combing your hair or changing clothes becomes extremely challenging.

What does a tear look like, and how to address the issue with novel stem cell treatment for rotator cuff tearing? Let's discuss stem cell shoulder treatment in this article!

What is RotaCuff Tears?

An assortment of muscles and tendons in the shoulder form the rotator cuff. They enable comprehensive mobility in this intricate ball-and-socket joint and strengthen and support the shoulder joint. This is particularly valid for lifting the arms, such as changing clothes, combing, and weight-lifting motions.

The tearing of these shoulder muscles can develop due to an accident, such as overworking or repetition, especially when moving hands above the head, or they might appear later in life due to daily wear and tear. Physical therapy is frequently performed when Imaging reveals a tear to the rotator cuff structures; however, surgery is commonly advised if that doesn't work.

Can Surgery Be A Viable Option For Rotator Cuff Tears?

In general, some medical doctors recommend surgery to treat them, but it is not an effective or proper treatment option due to the high rates of postoperative failure. In almost 6 out of 10 people who undergo surgical repair of their torn rotator cuff tendons, the structure retore. According to other evidence, 57% of people who undergo surgery for significant rips fail to repair and the tear recurrs.

You may think that surgery is the best approach for more severe rotator cuff damage. However, research shows that for many tears physical therapy can be just as successful. In studies of patients with full-thickness shoulder injuries from five years ago, 75% were still experiencing positive results from some home-based treatments. Furthermore, those who opted for surgical intervention often found it difficult to fully extend their shoulder and continued to feel pain. This is especially true for individuals over the age of 60, with approximately one third not seeing any improvements.

So considering these studies, surgery for rotator cuff tear is not a good choice. Then what? There is a novel approach to address the issue and it is regenerative medicine with stem cell, platelet rich plasma and other orthobiologics. Here's what you need to know!

Stem Cell Treatment For Rotator Cuff Tears—A Novel Approach

Because fewer of our healing cells may be needed to help the rotator cuff heal after surgery, human gene expression affects how the tendon heals. So, rotator cuff stem cell therapy improves the body's inherent capacity for healing.

Furthermore, note that your body contains mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow, fat, and other tissues, among other places. These cells can aid in the healing of tendon injuries because they are the body's repairing agent for any recovery. This most likely functions via the cells functioning as a project manager (by providing surrounding cells chemical instructions) as well as a variety of other ways, such as transforming into tendon cells as necessary.

Further, stem cell therapy for shoulder injuries can be classified into surgical and nonsurgical treatments.

Nonsurgical Stem Cell Therapy For Rotator Cuff Tears

Researchers conducted a randomized controlled experiment with stem cells for shoulder repairs, after demonstrating promising results in more than 100 patients. The outcomes presented show that, in contrast to surgery, a precise injection of the patient's bone marrow stem cells for torn rotator cuff out performed physical therapy and surgery.

Basic science research in animals that demonstrate how bone marrow concentrate (BMC) helps develop stronger tendon tissue and minimizes some of the issues with tendon healing provides evidence. Therefore, most patients can avoid surgery with careful injections of high-dose BMC.

It is important to understand that there are few successful options for shoulder pain associated with rotator cuff tears, until now. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate injections, along with platelet rich plasma for shoulder tendonitis and physical therapy are extremely successful at returning a person to an active and functional quality of life. As this is non-surgical and noninvasive, it is a great option for people needing something that avoids a scalpal and with an improved rehabilitation course that does not involve months of rigorous PT or post-operative pain. In light of the new research and medical findings, it would appear that stem cell therapy for shoulders and regenerative medicine for tendonitis are a very improved and conservative option.

At Spectrum Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center we have the experience necessary to provide advanced healthcare to get the best outcome. Please contact us today so we can help get you back to the activities which make you happy!

Check out Dr. Locke's bio here

Why Stem Cell Therapy is often a better option than surgery for knee meniscal damage

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 21:24:10 GMT

Exploring the Benefits of Stem Cell Medicine as a Non-Invasive Non-surgical Alternative to Knee Surgery for Osteoarthritis and Meniscal Tears

Regenerative medicine treatment with stem cells and platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been in medical science for years. Its best results are seen in conditions like knee osteoarthritis, shoulder osteoarthritis and shoulder rotator cuff tears along with many back pain related conditions. But there is always a reluctance to prioritize new treatments over conventional treatments. Below lies the answer justified by recent studies that highlight PRP and regenerative medicine treatment over conventional ones. Let’s find out why you should seek regenerative medicine treatment now!

Surprising data from most recent studies:

The conventional treatments for knee osteoarthritis are NSAIDs such as M otrin, Advil, Aleve, Celebrex, and corticosteroid injections. But do you think that these options are still the best for arthritis? These medicines may relieve the symptoms of arthritis, like knee pain, but sadly, we have evidence for you that these treatment options may severely affect knee osteoarthritis instead of treating it. Data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative revealed that NSAIDs are not what people think of them. Those who took NSAIDs for knee arthritis had worsened inflammation and cartilage quality, shown at the four-year follow-up, compared to control patients. In the end, patients might have experienced more intense knee pain (3,4) due to poor cartilage development. This was a very profound finding as it showed NSAIDS resulted in more inferior cartilage development that led to accelerated damage when compared to the population of people who did not use NSAIDS.

More studies highlighting damaging effects of steroid injections:

In another study, where the patients had gotten steroid injections for knee osteoarthritis, the result was not very promising. A total of 44 patients received corticosteroid injections, and 26 got hyaluronic acid shots. When compared with a control group through MRI, it was found that steroid shots caused arthritis progression after 2 years of follow-up. The hyaluronic acid group decreased the progression of arthritis. Overall, it was concluded that corticosteroids were proven to be an inferior option (5).

Another OAI database study showed that corticosteroids provided no benefit in treating knee osteoarthritis. The subjects were divided based on corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and a controlled group. The same grading system was used for each group. After 3 years, the results were compared with the help of X-rays. The ones with steroid shots showed more disease progression than those with hyaluronic acid and no treatment (5).

What we know now:

These findings are not all new. We have known about the effect of steroid injections on knee cartilage through various animal studies and randomized trials for some time. However, the adverse effects of NSAIDs on knee osteoarthritis are new; we can say that all of these findings may reject the idea of the conventional treatment plan for knee osteoarthritis pain (6-8).

So, the question is, what will you do now? A hyaluronic acid injection may seem a good choice, but studies regarding it are somewhat weak and the benefit for some is very short lived. There is a chance that the shot doesn’t get to the desired place inside the joint, making HA ineffective. Another problem with HA is that its effect slowly tapers off with time, of which the cause is unknown. So, you are left with PRP, which has shown the most positive effects than any other treatment (9-11).

PRP helps you with knee pain to an extent you cannot imagine. Its cost is not very critical, and it has the potential to control the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Many physicians have been using NSAIDs and steroid injections for knee pain, but the harm these treatments cause is not worth the long-term deterioration to cartilage integrity. With these findings, we have evolved from these conventional treatments to PRP and stem cells (12-15).

Overall, the evidence shows that patients with knee osteoarthritis must constantly change their way to stop the disease progression (16-19). With a very large body of evidence supporting the use of orthobiologics such as PRP, mesenchymal stem cells, alpha-2 macroglobulin (A2M) and extracellular matrix, it seems there are finally treatments available that provide a clear path to better treatment with no damaging longterm cost. Many patients are finding that these lead to better activity levels, lower pain, improved sleep and happier life. These have been shown to help with knee meniscus tears, shoulder rotator cuff tears, lower back pain, osteoarthritis of various joints and tennis or golfers elbow.

At Spectrum Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center we strive to provide the most advanced treatment for many orthopedic injuries and chronic deteriorating conditions. At our clinic you know you will be getting the best treatment with the best results, we stay up to date!

References:

David M. DeChellis, Megan Helen Cortazzo, Regenerative medicine in the field of pain medicine: Prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and stem cell therapy—Theory and evidence, Techniques in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management, Volume 15, Issue 2, 2011, Pages 74-80.

Ramaswamy Reddy SH, Reddy R, Babu NC, Ashok GN. Stem-cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma in regenerative medicines: A review on pros and cons of the technologies. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2018 Sep-Dec;22(3):367-374. doi: 10.4103/jomfp.JOMFP_93_18. PMID: 30651682; PMCID: PMC6306612.

America (RSNA) RS of N. Nsaids may worsen arthritis inflammation.

America (RSNA) RS of N. Steroid injections worsen knee arthritis.

Wyles CC, Houdek MT, Wyles SP, Wagner ER, Behfar A, Sierra RJ. Differential cytotoxicity of corticosteroids on human mesenchymal stem cells. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2015 Mar;473(3):1155-64. doi: 10.1007/s11999-014-3925-y. Epub 2014 Sep 4. PMID: 25187334; PMCID: PMC4317436.

Dragoo JL, Danial CM, Braun HJ, Pouliot MA, Kim HJ. The chondrotoxicity of single-dose corticosteroids. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2012 Sep;20(9):1809-14. doi: 10.1007/s00167-011-1820-6. Epub 2011 Dec 21. PMID: 22186921.

McAlindon TE, LaValley MP, Harvey WF, Price LL, Driban JB, Zhang M, Ward RJ. Effect of Intra-articular Triamcinolone vs Saline on Knee Cartilage Volume and Pain in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2017 May 16;317(19):1967-1975. doi: 10.1001/jama.2017.5283. PMID: 28510679; PMCID: PMC5815012.

Xing D, Wang B, Liu Q, Ke Y, Xu Y, Li Z, Lin J. Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis: a PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review of Overlapping Meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 12;6:32790. doi: 10.1038/srep32790. PMID: 27616273; PMCID: PMC5018721.

Richette P, Chevalier X, Ea HK, Eymard F, Henrotin Y, Ornetti P, Sellam J, Cucherat M, Marty M. Hyaluronan for knee osteoarthritis: an updated meta-analysis of trials with low risk of bias. RMD Open. 2015 May 14;1(1):e000071. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000071. PMID: 26509069; PMCID: PMC4613148.

Pereira T V , JÃ¼ni P , Saadat P , Xing D , Yao L , Bobos P et al. Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ 2022; 378 :e069722 doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-069722

Raeissadat SA, Rayegani SM, Hassanabadi H, Fathi M, Ghorbani E, Babaee M, Azma K. Knee Osteoarthritis Injection Choices: Platelet- Rich Plasma (PRP) Versus Hyaluronic Acid (A one-year randomized clinical trial). Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2015 Jan 7;8:1-8. doi: 10.4137/CMAMD.S17894. PMID: 25624776; PMCID: PMC4287055.

Montañez-Heredia E, Irízar S, Huertas PJ, Otero E, Del Valle M, Prat I, Díaz-Gallardo MS, Perán M, Marchal JA, Hernandez-Lamas Mdel C. Intra-Articular Injections of Platelet-Rich Plasma versus Hyaluronic Acid in the Treatment of Osteoarthritic Knee Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial in the Context of the Spanish National Health Care System. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Jul 2;17(7):1064. doi: 10.3390/ijms17071064. PMID: 27384560; PMCID: PMC4964440.

Görmeli G, Görmeli CA, Ataoglu B, Çolak C, Aslantürk O, Ertem K. Multiple PRP injections are more effective than single injections and hyaluronic acid in knees with early osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2017 Mar;25(3):958-965. doi: 10.1007/s00167-015-3705-6. Epub 2015 Aug 2. PMID: 26233594.

Lana JF, Weglein A, Sampson SE, Vicente EF, Huber SC, Souza CV, Ambach MA, Vincent H, Urban-Paffaro A, Onodera CM, Annichino-Bizzacchi JM, Santana MH, Belangero WD. Randomized controlled trial comparing hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma and the combination of both in the treatment of mild and moderate osteoarthritis of the knee. J Stem Cells Regen Med. 2016 Nov 29;12(2):69-78. doi: 10.46582/jsrm.1202011. PMID: 28096631; PMCID: PMC5227106.

Tavassoli M, Janmohammadi N, Hosseini A, Khafri S, Esmaeilnejad-Ganji SM. Single- and double-dose of platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid for treatment of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial. World J Orthop. 2019 Sep 18;10(9):310-326. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v10.i9.310. PMID: 31572668; PMCID: PMC6766465.

Lin KY, Yang CC, Hsu CJ, Yeh ML, Renn JH. Intra-articular Injection of Platelet-Rich Plasma Is Superior to Hyaluronic Acid or Saline Solution in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Triple-Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Arthroscopy. 2019 Jan;35(1):106-117. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2018.06.035. PMID: 30611335.

Huang Y, Liu X, Xu X, Liu J. Intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma, hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids for knee osteoarthritis : A prospective randomized controlled study. Orthopade. 2019 Mar;48(3):239-247. English. doi: 10.1007/s00132-018-03659-5. PMID: 30623236.

Di Martino A, Di Matteo B, Papio T, Tentoni F, Selleri F, Cenacchi A, Kon E, Filardo G. Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid Injections for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: Results at 5 Years of a Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Sports Med. 2019 Feb;47(2):347-354. doi: 10.1177/0363546518814532. Epub 2018 Dec 13. PMID: 30545242.

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Why Mainstream Conventional Treatment is NOT the Best Choice

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 22:47:06 GMT

NSAIDS and steroids are not what you think they are!

Surprising data from most recent studies:

More studies highlighting damaging effects of steroid injections:

What we know now:

References:

America (RSNA) RS of N. Nsaids may worsen arthritis inflammation.

America (RSNA) RS of N. Steroid injections worsen knee arthritis.

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Stem Cell Treatment Over Surgery

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 19:18:33 GMT

Pain is one of the most debilitating consequences of aging. Every year, millions of people in the United States seek treatment for knee, hip, shoulder, or back pain. Correspondingly, the number of surgical procedures being performed has been on the rise, and total knee and hip replacements rank among the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures. However, is surgery really the ideal solution? Before you take that leap, you need to know about the problems associated with surgery—and why stem cells might be a better option for you.

Reason 1: Surgery does not always get rid of the pain

Total knee replacement is often touted solution to alleviating arthritic knee pain. However, a recent review indicates that anywhere between 20% to 40% of patients live with chronic knee pain even after surgery! The authors even suggest that this number is probably underestimated, as many patients are reluctant to admit that the treatment may not have worked.1 The figures are even higher after hip replacement—a prospective study revealed that as many as 58% of patients suffer from persistent pain after hip surgery.2 On the other hand, there is clear evidence that stem cell injections alleviate pain in the long term.

Reason 2: Stem cell treatment is less invasive

Like it or not, surgery is pretty barbaric by nature—the diseased joint is literally cut out and replaced with a metallic substitute. While your brain knows what’s going on, your body gets confused—why was a part of me cut off? It asks. What is this foreign ‘thing’ doing in its place? So, your body and its immune system respond with rebellion. You develop swelling immediately in response to surgery, which can be severe enough to limit walking and movement at the joint. Recovery from surgery is a slow, difficult process, and you need regimented physiotherapy sessions to fully regain your mobility.

In contrast, stem cell injections help ‘regenerate’ not ‘replace’. Stem cells aid the body to heal itself and your body much prefers this option. It cooperates with the regenerative process and there is minimal swelling. Studies have shown great improvements in disability scores and range of motion parameters within a short while after stem cell injections.

Reason 3: Stem cell therapy is associated with fewer complications

Surgery is associated with a large number of complications. Cuts and incisions into the body put it at risk of acquiring a whole host of infections. The joint itself can get infected. This happens in 2% of knee replacements and up to 10% of hip replacements. There is also the risk of developing respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, or urinary tract infections.

As surgery involves actively removing various structures, there is always a risk of inadvertently damaging a vital blood vessel or nerve. Nerve injuries can occur in about 2% of cases, which can cause numbness at best and weakened movement at worst.

The most serious complication after orthopedic surgery is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In DVT, blood clots within the veins of your legs. The clot can break off and travel anywhere in the body. If it reaches the lungs, it can get lodged in a major blood vessel there, blocking blood flow to the lungs completely. The condition, called pulmonary embolism (PE), causes severe chest pain, breathlessness, and even death. The incidence of DVT and PE following orthopedic surgery is as high as 40% when preventive measures are not taken.

On the contrary, stem cell injections do not pose any DVT risk nor are they associated with nerve injuries. Infections following stem cell infections are extremely rare.

Pain medications are required after surgery and they would have their own set of side-effects and complications. You end up consuming a lot more pain medications after surgery than you do with stem cell treatment. At the most, stem cell treatment would require a couple of weeks of pain medication. Most patients would need much less. However, research shows that patients who undergo surgery may be on pain medication even a year after surgery. Even over-the-counter and non-narcotic medications can have side-effects over the long term—gastric ulcers, acidity, and risk of prolonged bleeding. Narcotic meds make you sleepy and impair concentration—not to mention that you run the risk of becoming dependent on them.

Reason 4: With stem cell therapy, you get to keep your options open!

No form of treatment—whether it is stem cell therapy or surgery, has a 100% cure rate. There will be some cases where the treatment doesn’t work. But if you’ve had surgery, you may have literally closed the door to all other treatment options. The success rate of re-surgery is extremely low, and it is not possible to inject stem cells into a body part that has already undergone surgery. In comparison to this, in the event that a stem cell injection should fail to give you proper relief, you always have the option of having another stem cell injection. You could even choose to have surgery after stem cell injections are not able to repair the damage in your joints. So ideally, stem cell therapy is what you should try first—before you move on to other treatment options.

Reason 5: In the long run, stem cell treatment is more cost-effective

Both stem cell injections and surgery are relatively expensive procedures. You may prefer to opt for surgery because health insurance may cover the costs. But before you jump the gun, remember that insurance always has deductibles. Your out-of-pocket expenses may be higher than you imagine. Moreover, surgery requires anesthesia and pre-anesthetic investigations that can cost you time and money. The long recovery time after surgery may also result in missed wages. Hence, in the long run, you may find that put together, stem cell injections may actually work out to be far less expensive!

Factoring in the above-mentioned points, it’s easy to see why choosing stem cells is a better clinical decision than surgery. At Spectrum Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center (Spectrum), we provide cutting-edge stem cell treatment solutions that maximize your chances of benefiting from this innovative form of therapy. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.

References:

Wylde V, Beswick A, Bruce J, Blom A, Howells N, Gooberman-Hill R. Chronic pain after total knee arthroplasty. EFORT Open Rev. 2018 Aug 16;3(8):461-470. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180004. PMID: 30237904; PMCID: PMC6134884.

Erlenwein J, Müller M, Falla D, et al. Clinical relevance of persistent postoperative pain after total hip replacement - a prospective observational cohort study. J Pain Res. 2017;10:2183–2193. Published 2017 Sep 7. doi:10.2147/JPR.S137892

Orozco L, Munar A, Soler R, Alberca M, Soler F, Huguet M, Sentís J, Sánchez A, García-Sancho J. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with autologous mesenchymal stem cells: two-year follow-up results. Transplantation. 2014 Jun 15;97(11):e66-8.

Mardones R, Jofré CM, Tobar L, Minguell JJ. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis. J Hip Preserv Surg. 2017 Mar 19;4(2):159-163. doi: 10.1093/jhps/hnx011. PMID: 28630737; PMCID: PMC5467400.

Fuzier R, Serres I, Bourrel R, Palmaro A, Montastruc JL, Lapeyre-Mestre M. Analgesic drug consumption increases after knee arthroplasty: a pharmacoepidemiological study investigating postoperative pain. Pain. 2014 Jul;155(7):1339-1345. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2014.04.010. Epub 2014 Apr 13. PMID: 24727347.

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Stem Cells or Snake Oil: Are You Sure You’re Not Being Scammed?

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 18:00:16 GMT

Today, you’ll find many clinics and chiropractic centers offering stem cell treatments for different ailments. The problem is, the stem cell source they’re using may not always be reliable. In fact, and you may be surprised to know this, some purported stem cell treatments actually contain zero stem cells. You really need to understand what’s going on here before you consider giving your hard-earned money to a clinic for a stem cell procedure. You don’t want to end up spending thousands of dollars on snake oil.

Let’s begin by looking at the two main sources of stem cells used in treatments:

Umbilical cord (UC) stem cells
Autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

UC stem cells are derived from umbilical cord blood. There are companies out there whose sole business model is to collect UC tissue, process and preserve it, and then sell to clinics.

Autologous MSCs are derived from the patient's own bone marrow or adipose tissue. They’re freshly harvested and used for the patient’s own procedure.

If you do a quick internet search, you’ll find many clinics – usually chiropractic centers – offering miraculous results from umbilical cord injections. A few established regenerative medicine clinics – like Spectrum – only offer stem cell injections that come from autologous sources, like your own bone marrow or body fat. You might be tempted to choose the former, as it may seem like a simpler process. But there is one significant difference:

Umbilical cord blood does not provide the MSCs necessary for healing and regeneration.

Most kinds of chronic body pain, like knee, hip or shoulder pain, results from a condition called osteoarthritis, which causes wear and tear of the cartilage in joints. MSCs have the unique ability to convert themselves into specialized cells that help that cartilage grow again. Therefore, the success of your stem cell injection is largely dependent on the number of MSCs it delivers. Here is a quick rundown of some interesting facts about MSCs in umbilical cord blood.

Cord blood contains far fewer stem cells than autologous sources

Several studies have shown that isolating MSCs from cord blood is ineffective, indicating that it simply doesn’t contain as many MSCs as bone marrow or body fat. For example:

Mareschi and his fellow researchers attempted to isolate MSCs from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood under similar conditions.1 They reported that they were able to isolate MSCs from bone marrow, but not from cord blood.
Secco and other investigators attempted to extract MSCs from umbilical cord blood and cord tissue.2 They found that it was possible to extract MSCs from cord blood from only one out of every ten samples.
Kern and his team compared the characteristics of MSCs isolated from three sources – adipose tissue, bone marrow, and fresh umbilical cord blood.3 They found that the number of MSCs that could be extracted from cord blood was 37% less than those from the other two sources. The differentiation capacity (effectiveness) of cells extracted from cord blood was also lower.

Stored cord blood and other amniotic products do not contain living stem cells.

The only study from the above examples that were actually able to isolate MSCs used fresh cord blood. However, treatment clinics that offer ‘stem cell injections’ don’t use that! They source it from cord blood banks, which goes through several stages – it needs to be processed, stored at freezing temperatures, transported to the clinic, and thawed before use. Even if there was a tiny fraction of MSCs to start with, they simply die out during this prolonged handling and none are left by the time the patient receives the injection.

Other clinics use commercially available ‘amniotic fluid’ products, which they claim are a rich source of stem cells. However, two studies that rigorously tested these products have confirmed that they do not contain live cells.

Why, then, do a few scientific studies show some success with umbilical cord blood?

Yes, the success of cord “stem cell” injections has been widely advertised, and you may have heard various scientific studies quoted either by the clinics or vendors of such products. But most regenerative medicine specialists label such claims as ‘junk science’, as the results of the studies are grossly misinterpreted. Here are some things that you need to know when you look at these studies:

Most scientific papers use fresh cord blood: If a scientific paper claims that they have evidence of ‘regrown cartilage’ using cord blood, it is more than likely that they have used fresh cord blood, obtained a few hours after birth, rather than cord blood that has been lying around for a long time in a bank.
The ‘high cell counts’ may not refer to mesenchymal stem cells at all: Cord blood is actually rich in another cell type – the hematopoietic cell, which is more robust. This cell is useful in treating blood disorders like leukemia, but it cannot regrow cartilage. So, having a high hematopoietic cell count is useless for chronic body pain treatments.
Studies use ‘culture-expanded’ forms of MSCs: In several scientific studies, the mesenchymal stem cells are isolated from fresh cord blood, and multiplied under artificial conditions in a laboratory. This is referred to as ‘culture expansion’, and only these artificially grown cells are used for stem cell injections. This is not what happens in those clinics! They just use cord blood that, at the most, has been processed, frozen and thawed.

Umbilical cord blood and amniotic products put you at a greater risk of adverse events

Can you get a blood transfusion from just anyone? No, you would have to be matched to the right donor to avoid adverse reactions. Similarly, cord blood and amniotic products can trigger immune reactions, leading to fever, rash and other symptoms. Most clinics do not match patients to commercial samples. Furthermore, there is a risk of infection if the product is contaminated. One manufacturer recalled an entire batch of products after 12 successive patients developed bacterial infections following injections.

It must also be noted that umbilical cord cell treatment is not approved by the FDA, except for specific blood disorders. No commercial cord blood or amniotic derivative product has FDA approval as of today.

Only go for stem cell treatments that use autologous MSCs

In contrast to all of the above, with autologous stem cells, the tissue is taken from your own body. The stem cells are isolated and injected back to the target area. This minimizes the risk of immune reactions or infection. The FDA does not require a premarket review for autologous stem cell transplants, making this the only safe and approved form of stem cell treatment currently available in the United States.

At Spectrum Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center (Spectrum), we only use stem cells that have been sourced from your own body. Our stem cell injection procedures are performed by highly skilled regenerative medicine specialists, based on advanced techniques. We only believe in providing our patients with evidence-backed, scientific treatments, and procedures.

REFERENCES

1. Mareschi K, Biasin E, Piacibello W, Aglietta M, Madon E, Fagioli F. Isolation of human mesenchymal stem cells: bone marrow versus umbilical cord blood. haematologica. 2001 Jan 1;86(10):1099-100.

2. Secco M, Zucconi E, Vieira NM, Fogaça LL, Cerqueira A, Carvalho MD, Jazedje T, Okamoto OK, Muotri AR, Zatz M. Multipotent stem cells from umbilical cord: cord is richer than blood!. Stem cells. 2008 Jan;26(1):146-50.

3. Kern S, Eichler H, Stoeve J, Klüter H, Bieback K. Comparative analysis of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, or adipose tissue. Stem cells. 2006 May;24(5):1294-301.

4. Panero AJ, Hirahara AM, Andersen WJ, Rothenberg J, Fierro F. Are Amniotic Fluid Products Stem Cell Therapies? A Study of Amniotic Fluid Preparations for Mesenchymal Stem Cells With Bone Marrow Comparison. Am J Sports Med. 2019;47(5):1230-1235. doi:10.1177/0363546519829034

5. Becktell L, Matuska A, Hon S, Delco ML, Cole BJ, Fortier LA. Proteomic analysis and cell viability of nine amnion-derived biologics. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2019 Apr 1;27:S292.

6. Perkins KM, Spoto S, Rankin DA, et al. Notes from the Field: Infections After Receipt of Bacterially Contaminated Umbilical Cord Blood–Derived Stem Cell Products for Other Than Hematopoietic or Immunologic Reconstitution — United States, 2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1397–1399. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6750a5

7. US Food and Drug Administration. Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. on the FDA’s new policy steps and enforcement efforts to ensure proper oversight of stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine. Published August 28, 2017. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/statement-fda-commissioner-scott-gottlieb-md-fdas-new-policy-steps-and-enforcement-efforts-ensure .

Check out Dr. Locke's bio here

spectrumhealthmedical

How to choose fat (adipose) or bone marrow stem cells for your treatment

Adipose stem cells vs. bone marrow stem cells: What should I do for joint arthritis?

Breaking Down the Science Behind Stem Cell Treatments for Joint Pain

How do these special cells work?

What Is The Best Treatment For Tennis Elbow?

What Is Lateral Epicondylitis And Its Causes?

What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?

A Brief Understanding of PRP for Joint Pain

How does Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) work?

What Evidence Do We Have For PRP?

PRP Has Been Used for How Long?

Is There Tenderness After These Injections?

What Should you Expect After an Injection?

Is it Safe to Use PRP?

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Shoulder pain? Here are your treatment options with rotator cuff tears.

Why surgery is not a great option for rotator cuff tears, Here is what the research says:

Surgery should best the last option!

What is RotaCuff Tears?

Can Surgery Be A Viable Option For Rotator Cuff Tears?

Stem Cell Treatment For Rotator Cuff Tears—A Novel Approach

Nonsurgical Stem Cell Therapy For Rotator Cuff Tears

Why Stem Cell Therapy is often a better option than surgery for knee meniscal damage

Exploring the Benefits of Stem Cell Medicine as a Non-Invasive Non-surgical Alternative to Knee Surgery for Osteoarthritis and Meniscal Tears

Why Mainstream Conventional Treatment is NOT the Best Choice

NSAIDS and steroids are not what you think they are!

5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Stem Cell Treatment Over Surgery

Reason 1: Surgery does not always get rid of the pain

Reason 2: Stem cell treatment is less invasive

Reason 3: Stem cell therapy is associated with fewer complications

Reason 4: With stem cell therapy, you get to keep your options open!

Reason 5: In the long run, stem cell treatment is more cost-effective

Stem Cells or Snake Oil: Are You Sure You’re Not Being Scammed?

Umbilical cord blood does not provide the MSCs necessary for healing and regeneration.

Cord blood contains far fewer stem cells than autologous sources

Stored cord blood and other amniotic products do not contain living stem cells.

Why, then, do a few scientific studies show some success with umbilical cord blood?

Umbilical cord blood and amniotic products put you at a greater risk of adverse events

Only go for stem cell treatments that use autologous MSCs