Stem Cell Treatment for Back Pain in Milwaukee, WI and Across Wisconsin
Stem cell therapy for back pain uses cells concentrated from your own bone marrow or fat tissue, injected under fluoroscopic guidance to treat degenerative disc disease, facet arthritis and chronic lower back pain. Our Wauwatosa clinic serves Milwaukee, WI and Northern Illinois as an outpatient alternative to spinal fusion, often combined with PRP or A2M injections. Request a free phone consultation.
SCHEDULE A FREE phone CONSULTATION
WITH a Doctor
Lower Back Pain Page
What Is Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain in Wisconsin?
Stem cell therapy for the lower back is one of several regenerative medicine treatments we offer.
Neck and back pains are among the most frequent, yet the most ignored ailments that affect the human body. In 2016, it was estimated that almost 29% of adults in the United States had experienced lower back pain for over three months. What’s worrying is that almost half of these people tend to ignore the symptoms, and pop painkillers when the pain gets severe. Do you need to suffer a decreased quality of life due to lower back pain? We, at Spectrum Health Medical, believe that you should enjoy life at your fittest – and so we offer advanced regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapy for lower back pain.
What’s Causing My Lower Back Pain?
The spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae, which are separated from each other at discrete levels by flexible cartilage discs. As we get older, these discs can degenerate and get torn or dehydrated. Although this can happen in any individual, injuries, extensive sports, and arthritis can accelerate the degeneration and bring on pain. This condition is called stem cell therapy research for degenerative discs. Sometimes, the disc can bulge out between two vertebrae and compress on nerve roots near the spine, causing severe pain. This condition of the spine is commonly called a slipped disc or a herniated disc.
What Are the Current Treatments for Lower Back Pain?
The early stages of lower back pain are usually managed with exercise and physiotherapy. As disc degeneration continues, however, patients look for pain relief through analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications. Although these relieve pain in the short term, pain medication can cause gastritis and kidney dysfunction if taken for extended periods of time. A2M injections, such as steroids can be administered into the affected area. While this can reduce the swelling associated with disc degeneration, it tends to weaken the existing cartilage. Over time, this can worsen the spinal disease. If the disease is severe, physicians offer patients the option of spinal fusion surgery. This is an invasive procedure where the vertebrae on either side of the damaged discs are fused together. More than 20% of patients still have pain after spinal fusion. In fact, with most of the above treatments, chronic back pain can either persist or recur, reducing your quality of life.
At Spectrum Health Medical, we offer more than just the above treatment options. Regenerative medicine aims to support repair of damaged disc and joint tissue in your spine. Our doctor, with his experience in regenerative medicine, has successfully treated lower back pain in several patients, using stem cell therapy.
How Can Stem Cells Help My Lower Back Pain?
Stem cells are also known as medicinal signaling cells and may help direct the healing process, supporting repair of spinal joint tissues damaged by wear and tear. When injected into the spine, they can turn into ‘chondrocytes’. These are cells that lay down fresh cartilage, which may help repair a degenerated disc. The cells also reduce inflammation, which in turn reduces pain (Sampson et al, 2017). The end result can be to reduce pain while improving physical function and in some cases lead to a pain free spine.
What Does Research Say About Stem Cell Therapy for Lower Back Pain?
- Pettine et al (2017) followed 26 patients who had undergone intradiscal injections with stem cells for three years. These patients had originally been candidates for spinal fusion or disc replacement surgery. 20 patients reported improvement in pain and function, and no adverse events occurred due to harvesting of stem cells or their injection in any of the patients.
- Ambach et al (2017) reviewed several studies that tested the efficacy of adult stem cells on intervertebral disc disease. These studies have all shown improvement in pain scores, with the relief of pain being directly proportional to the amount of stem cells injected. MRI scans have also shown that the progression of degenerative disc disease was halted, and better quality cartilage was laid down.
- A meta-analysis of several studies was also done by Wu et al (2018). They reviewed six studies for pain and disability index outcomes. They concluded that patients who underwent mesenchymal stem cell therapy for lower back pain had improved pain scores, and better disability index scores.
How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy for Lower Back Pain Cost in Milwaukee?
Cost varies based on the treatment area and the extent of disc or joint involvement, and is discussed in detail during your evaluation. Many patients choose this non-surgical approach to avoid spinal surgery and its recovery time. Contact us to schedule a request a free phone consultation and discuss your treatment options.
Most insurance plans do not cover stem cell injections, though related imaging such as X-rays or MRI may be covered. We accept major credit and debit cards, HSA and FSA funds, cash and certified checks, and offer CareCredit financing. See our
financing options.
Am I a Candidate for Lower Back Stem Cell Injections in Milwaukee, WI?
Stem cell therapy for lower back pain is ideal for patients who’ve had traumatic injuries to the back, and those who’ve lived with chronic pain for a long time.
- Have you suffered from lower back pain for over three months?
- Are conservative treatment options not working for you?
- Would you like to continue sports or athletics?
- Would you rather
5 reasons to choose stem cell treatment over surgery at all costs?
If the answer to most of the above questions is ‘yes’, you should be considering stem cell therapy for lower back pain and to avoid surgery. Spectrum Health Medical helps you decide whether stem cell therapy is right for you.
What Does the Procedure Involve in Stem Cell Therapy for Lower Back Pain?
Stem cell therapy injections for lower back pain can be done as an office procedure, and does not require general anesthesia. You may be provided with nitrous gas in order to be more relaxed and help with pain from the procedure. The area from which the stem cells are harvested, and the area to be injected will both be numbed with a local anesthetic solution.
We harvest adult stem cells both from bone marrow and
fat vs bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow cells will be taken from the back of your hip, while we usually use the abdominal area to gather adipose stem cells. These cells will be separated for injection. We may also draw some blood from you, to garner
PRP therapy, which will provide additional growth factors and accelerate the healing process.
These cells we separate through our advanced centrifuging process are then prepared for injection into your spine. The area of the spine that will receive the injection is then visualized through fluoroscopic imaging. This is the gold standard for safe spinal injections. Our doctors have extensive training in real-time x-ray guidance. We use these skills to ensure that injections are anatomically precise and delivered to the exact location. The entire process will take three to four hours. Throughout the injection procedure, you’ll be kept informed of what’s happening, and multiple staff will be available to ensure that you’re safe and comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stem Cell Therapy for Lower Back Pain in Milwaukee, WI and Northern Illinois
What is stem cell therapy for lower back pain?
Stem cell therapy for lower back pain uses cells from your own body to target inflammation and support tissue repair in the discs and joints of the lower spine, offering a non-surgical alternative for chronic back pain.
Am I a candidate for stem cell injections in the lower back?
Patients with disc degeneration, chronic lower back pain, or joint related back pain who want to avoid or delay surgery are often candidates. A consultation confirms whether this treatment fits your case.
How long does it take to see results from lower back stem cell therapy?
Most patients begin to notice improvement within a few weeks to a couple of months, and your provider will outline a timeline specific to your case during your evaluation.
How much does stem cell therapy for lower back pain cost?
Cost varies by the extent of treatment needed and is discussed during your evaluation. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
Is stem cell therapy for back pain FDA approved?
No. The FDA has not approved any stem cell product to treat back pain or disc disease. We use your own cells prepared during the same visit, and we explain the benefits, risks and evidence before you decide.
Can stem cell therapy help sciatica?
When sciatica comes from a degenerated or bulging disc, treating the disc may ease nerve irritation and leg pain. Sciatica caused by severe nerve compression or sudden weakness needs urgent evaluation and may require surgery.
Is stem cell therapy an alternative to spinal fusion?
For some patients with disc or facet pain, regenerative injections may relieve symptoms and delay or avoid fusion surgery. They do not correct spinal instability or severe stenosis, which may still need a surgical opinion.
How long does recovery take after a spine stem cell injection?
You go home the same day with a driver. Most patients resume light daily activity almost immediately, avoid heavy lifting for a few weeks and follow a gradual return-to-activity plan.
Does insurance cover stem cell injections for back pain?
Most insurance plans do not cover stem cell injections for the spine. Insurance may cover related imaging such as MRI. Our care coordinators can review payment and financing options with you.
Do you treat back pain patients from Northern Illinois?
Yes. We welcome patients from Northern Illinois communities such as Waukegan, Gurnee, Antioch and Rockford at our Wauwatosa clinic near Milwaukee, and most treatments are completed in one visit.
Why Choose Stem Cells for Lower Back Pain Over Steroid Injections and Surgery?
Stem cell therapy is a more ‘natural’ method of treatment for lower back pain, as it utilizes the biological mechanisms of the body to repair damaged tissue. Adult stem cells taken from your own body carry a low risk of reaction. This is unlike injections of steroids and local anesthetics, which have several side effects and eventually hasten damage of the disc.
Since stem cell treatment for lower back pain is an outpatient procedure, you avoid all the protocols associated with surgery. This means no lengthy preoperative workup, and no long hospital stays. All you need is a single consultation before the actual procedure, which may last for around an hour. You will be able to go home with assistance on the actual day of the procedure. As the procedure is minimally invasive, you won't need prolonged bed rest and rehabilitation. You’ll be able to resume normal activities almost immediately!
What Are the Side Effects of Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain?
Serious adverse effects from stem cell injections in the lower back are rare. In the past, there have been concerns about tumor growth, because theoretically, stem cells can turn into anything. This, however, is a feature associated with pluripotent stem cells. At Spectrum Health Medical, we use only adult stem cells, from bone marrow and adipose tissue. These have not been associated with abnormal growth of any kind. Also, since the stem cells are harvested from your own body, there is no risk of rejection or an allergic reaction.
Side effects can occur with the regenerative injection procedure. These include pain, swelling and bruising at the injection site. Dr. Locke uses precise, image-guided technique to keep these complications to a minimum.
As with any procedure, stem cell injections in the lower back carry a slight risk of infection. We at Spectrum Health Medical believe in using aseptic techniques throughout, and the entire procedure, from harvest to injection in the lower back, is carried out under strict sterile conditions. This ensures that infectious complications rarely occur.
When Is Back Pain an Emergency, and Where Can I Get Care Near Milwaukee?
Go to the emergency room for back pain with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin, sudden leg weakness or fever. For chronic back pain, our Wauwatosa clinic serves Milwaukee, Waukesha, Brookfield and Kenosha, and we welcome patients from Northern Illinois. Spectrum Health Medical, 2500 N Mayfair Rd, Suite 630, Wauwatosa, WI 53226. Call (262) 202-8312. Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Request a free phone consultation.
START FEELING BETTER TODAY!
