by Stemedix | May 11, 2020 | Stem Cell Therapy, Osteoarthritis
Knee issues are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries and can occur in individuals of all ages. The complex joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments, and fluid, as well as muscles and tendons which allow for movement. When any of these structures becomes injured or diseased, discomfort and limited range of motion may ensue. Knee problems can create significant strain on an individual’s life, from preventing participation in sports to making it difficult to get out of a chair. Here 4 FAQs about stem cell therapy for knees.
There are many causes for knee issues, the most common of which is osteoarthritis. In this condition, the cartilage in the joint erodes over time, leading to inflammation and pain. Sports injuries are also common culprits; even a simple, sudden twisting movement can tear or sprain structures like the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), leading to severe pain.
Depending on the severity of a knee condition, prescribed treatment could include rest, rehabilitation, or surgery. Yet, knee problems don’t always improve with these methods, and many patients understandably want to avoid invasive surgery if possible. Fortunately, stem cell therapy is an emerging solution many experts support — find out more about what it entails below.
4 Commonly Asked Questions About Stem Cell Therapy for Knees
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine which uses the body’s natural healing mechanism, stem cells, to rebuild compromised tissue at the cellular level. For knee injuries, the goal of the treatment is to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and delay or prevent the need for surgery.
What Knee Issues Can It Address?
Stem cells may be used to address a number of knee issues. In degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy can help slow the destruction of cartilage and even rebuild it, due to the stem cells’ ability to self-renew and mature into specialized cell types. The cells also have anti-inflammatory properties and may therefore aid in quicker, more thorough healing of acute knee issues, such as injuries to the ACL, meniscus, and other knee structures.
What Does The Process Entail?
The process for stem cell therapy is fairly simple. The cells are extracted, either from the patient themselves or a donor, and then inserted directly into the injured tissue. Thereafter, they’ll begin the healing process. Depending on your condition, your practitioner may recommend several sessions to achieve the best possible results.
What Is The Success Rate?
As with any type of treatment, success rates will vary from one patient to the next. With that being said, research has shown that patients who have received stem cell therapy for knee issues still felt better than their baseline five years after treatment. For patients who have responded poorly to previous treatment methods or want to avoid major surgery, stem cell therapy is certainly an option worth exploring.
If you are tired of dealing with the everyday pain and want relief that lasts then contact us today!
by Stemedix | May 4, 2020 | Stem Cell Therapy, Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the central nervous system, disrupting the ways in which information flows within and to and from the brain. Its cause is unknown, though experts believe it may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The trajectory and symptoms of the disease are often unpredictable. People with MS may experience symptoms related to movement, such as tremors or unsteady gait, as well as vision-related changes, slurred speech, tingling or numbness, and fatigue.
MS symptoms typically begin to emerge between the ages of 20 and 50. For some individuals, symptoms may improve or go into remission for periods of time. In some cases, MS symptoms can interfere with daily life, making it difficult to complete everyday activities.
While there are currently no cures available for MS, there are some medications available to aid in symptom management. Yet, these can be costly and may carry side effects.
Stem Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
Recently, stem cell therapy for Multiple Sclerosis has emerged as a promising treatment with tremendous potential. It is not a cure but has shown potential for symptom improvements. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to help control inflammation and restore the myelin sheath, the protective covering that surrounds nerve fibers which is damaged in MS. These powerful cells also have the ability to regulate the immune system, which can aid in symptom reduction.
The reason the immune regulating effects of MSCs are so beneficial to people with MS is that they prevent the immune system from mistakenly attacking the myelin sheath. MSCs may even regenerate myelin sheath where it’s been damaged, known as remyelination.
While results may vary, MS patients who receive stem cell therapy may experience a number of benefits. Some reported include increased energy, strength, mobility, flexibility, and function control. The treatment is also noninvasive, well-tolerated in most patients, and does not require any downtime. With its lasting beneficial healing properties, stem cell therapy appears to be an alternative option, especially for patients whose symptoms interfere with daily life.
If these beneficial healing properties are something you would like to take advantage of then contact us today for a free consultation.
by Stemedix | Apr 27, 2020 | Stem Cell Therapy, Osteoarthritis
Joint issues caused by injury and arthritis can be challenging to treat. While conventional methods like physical therapy, over-the-counter medication, and lifestyle adjustments may help patients find some relief, oftentimes the pain lingers and the condition worsens over time. Patients seeking a lasting solution are sometimes recommended for full joint replacement, but the process is invasive, and as with any procedure, comes with potential risks and complications. Moreover, complete joint replacements aren’t always successful, and when they are, they may not last the duration of a patient’s lifetime. Here we talk about Stem Cell Treatments Vs Joint Surgery.
Understandably, medical experts have long been searching for an alternative for joint surgery. Now, it’s appeared in the form of stem cell treatments.
Why Stem Cell Treatments Instead of Joint Surgery?
The issues described above raise concerns about joint surgery. Surgeon Anthony Miniaci, MD, from the Cleveland Clinic explains that patients in their 50s may ultimately wind up needing multiple replacements for the same joint, so the objective is often to delay surgery when possible. In addition to age, factors such as severity, location on the body, and weight may be assessed to determine whether the operation can be put off.
In lieu of surgery, however, patients still need an effective form of relief. Stem cell therapy is one promising alternative. This treatment uses stem cells, which act as the body’s natural healing mechanism, to restore compromised tissues through powerful repair processes and the formation of new, specialized tissue. The cells can self-renew and transform into virtually any cell type in the body. Treatment is non-invasive and simply encompasses injections instead of full-blown surgery.
Experts are using stem cell therapy in joints commonly affected by injury or arthritis, including the hips and knees. Some doctors, including a specialist at the Mayo Clinic, believes the treatment doesn’t just delay the need for surgery in some cases but may prevent it altogether. As stem cell therapy has widely been deemed safe and effective in numerous clinical studies, it offers a viable option for patients who want the relief that surgery could bring without the pain, long recovery period, and potential complications.
Contact us today for a free consultation!
by Stemedix | Apr 20, 2020 | Stem Cell Therapy
Chances are you’ve heard about the stem cell advancements experts are making in the world of regenerative medicine. For conditions ranging from musculoskeletal injuries to autoimmune conditions, stem cells are showing promise in terms of promoting the body’s healing capacity, regenerating tissue to replace that which has been damaged by illness or disease, and managing or altogether alleviating symptoms. But what exactly are stem cells, and what is it that they do? Here are some Stem Cell facts.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells act as the basis of development in all living things, including humans, animals, and even plants. In humans, they are formed at various points of life and in specific parts of the body. Embryonic stem cells, for example, are only present at the earliest stage of development. At just three to five days of age, an embryo is made up of pluripotent stem cells, which have the capacity to divide into other stem cells or transform into any cell type in the body. These are not cells in which today’s Regenerative Medicine is studying or practicing based on the controversy behind them.
On the other hand, tissue-specific (adult) stem cells emerge during fetal development and stay within the body throughout the course of life. They’re found in bone marrow, adipose (fat), and umbilical cord tissue (UCT), and they can give rise to various types of cells. For instance, research suggests stem cells derived from bone marrow could create heart muscle cells.
What Do Stem Cells Do?
As mentioned above, there are two characteristics which make stem cells so remarkable:
· Self-renewal, or the ability to make copies of themselves
· Differentiation, or the ability to develop into specialized cells
Recently, experts have been leveraging the capabilities of stem cells in regenerative medicine applications to activate a healing response in injured, dysfunctional, or diseased tissue using stem cells. In addition to their abilities to repair and regenerate, stem cells also have secretory benefits known as exosomes, which are critical in the communication between cells. Mesenchymal stem cells, in particular, have immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory effects and a good proliferation rate, making them powerful candidates for tissue regeneration.
Thanks to these incredible properties, stem cells are being leveraged to heal tissue, control symptoms, and deliver rejuvenating effects for a broad range of conditions. Stem cell therapy is being used as an alternative treatment in neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, for instance, as well as orthopedic issues and injuries, autoimmune disorders, and general wellness and cosmetic concerns. Although it isn’t a cure-all, stem cell treatment does hold enormous potential for improving symptoms and outcomes in patients for a better quality of life.
Contact us today for a free consultation!
by Stemedix | Apr 15, 2020 | Alzheimer’s Disease, Stem Cell Therapy
As the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. It’s a progressive brain disease which impairs cognition, including memory, behaviors, and thinking. Over time, symptoms worsen and begin to interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily activities.
In people with Alzheimer’s, plaques, or protein deposits, form between nerve cells at a quicker rate, as do tangles, or twisted fibers which accumulate within dead nerve cells. As a result, these damaged nerve cells are unable to transmit necessary electrical signals.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, though some treatments can help to control certain symptoms. In the quest to find a more effective treatment to slow the progression of the disease and potentially even improve symptoms in patients, researchers are turning to regenerative medicine therapies, including stem cell treatment.
Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Stem cells help the body’s own healing mechanisms work more effectively in degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s. For instance, some studies have shown immunomodulatory effects, which help to disable the abnormal attack on healthy brain tissue. In others, stem cell transplantation has led to the proliferation or replacement of diseased cells at the specific areas where cells have begun to degenerate.
Stem cells have the ability to replicate many unique cell types throughout the body, including nerve cells. Combined with the fact that they can also reproduce quickly, this poises them for the effective regeneration of damaged brain tissue. As a result, stem cell therapy has the potential to deliver the following improvements for people with Alzheimer’s disease:
· Slowed rate of disease progression
· Improved mood and behavior
· Increased energy levels
· Reduced confusion
· Improved memory and cognition
Renowned Alzheimer’s groups such as the Alzheimer’s Association in the U.S. and the Alzheimer’s Society in the U.K. support and encourage the use of stem cell therapy to find new cures and create targeted treatments which would repair the network of cell-to-cell connections that become damaged in the disease.
Although researchers have yet to establish the precise cause for Alzheimer’s disease, stem cells are opening the door into further findings, providing hope and helping to improve the quality of life in patients.
If you or a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s and would like to reap the benefits Stem Cell Therapy can deliver to this disease then contact us today!
by Stemedix | Apr 6, 2020 | Stem Cell Therapy, Chronic Pain
One in five adults in the U.S. reports having chronic pain, which amounts to 50 million people. As one of the most common reasons people visit their doctors, this frustrating symptom is linked to issues like restricted daily activities, dependence on prescription medications, anxiety and depression, and overall reduced quality of life. It can stem from many causes, including chronic conditions and lingering effects of previous injuries, and often intensifies with advancing age. Some of the most common conditions linked to chronic pain include arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Alternative Treatment for Chronic Pain: Stem Cell Therapy.
Traditional treatments for chronic pain include over-the-counter pain relievers or opioids, along with non-medication techniques such as physical therapy, acupuncture, and exercise. Unfortunately, many patients find that the side effects of long-term pain medication can further diminish their quality of life, and other treatments often fall short when it comes to providing relief. It’s therefore no surprise that many of these patients willingly embrace new treatments, such as stem cell therapy.
Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative Treatment for Chronic Pain
Stem cell therapy is a new form of regenerative medicine which uses the body’s natural regenerative healing mechanisms, stem cells, to repair and renew damaged tissue. These cells have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into other cell types. They also have immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help address the swelling and discomfort that arises in many chronic conditions and injuries. Research suggests that their ability to home in on affected sites makes them a powerful means of treating inflammatory pain and trauma.
In patients with chronic pain, stem cells can be injected at appropriate sites to rebuild and regenerate tissue, suppress inflammation, and reduce the severity of symptoms. The treatment has been used for neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and musculoskeletal injuries.
Although many chronic conditions still have no cure, stem cell therapy is a promising new alternative for treating them. It goes beyond simply masking symptoms to spur healing at a cellular level, thereby leading to stronger outcomes that can significantly improve the way of life for patients experiencing chronic pain. If stem cell therapy is something you are interested in then contact us today for a free consultation.
St. Petersburg, Florida
