Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cells are present in all of us, acting like a repair system for the body. They are sometimes referred to as “master cells” in that they have the potential to become many different specialized cell types. They act as an unlimited supply of repair cells, continually dividing throughout our lifetime.

With increased age or chronic injury, sometimes the optimal amount of stem cells is not delivered to an injured area. The goal of Stem Cell Therapy is to amplify the natural repair system to keep pace with these demands and maintain healthy function of soft tissue of the musculoskeletal system.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

Science has shown that therapy using MSCs is an especially good option for treating musculoskeletal conditions involving lost or damaged tissue. MSCs are able to differentiate into all the different cell types within a joint and to moderate the local inflammatory response. They have the ability for self-renewal over long periods of time.

Numerous clinical case studies in peer reviewed scientific literature demonstrate that stem cells may regenerate tissue, improve function, reduce pain and improve the quality of life for those suffering from orthopedic problems.  Liveyon 

What procedure is best for me?

Umbilical cord-derived stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical tissue are unspecialized cells that have the capacity to change into any healthy cell in our body (pluripotent). As other cells in our body, stem cells age as we do. That is why use of stem cells from umbilical cord tissue/blood, cells which are young and healthy, are a more potent source and have a higher success rate in stem cell therapy.

The umbilical cord serves as a conduit of nutrients carrying oxygenated, nutrient rich blood. This cord blood is rich in primitive stem cells, growth factors and immune cells.  The stem cells are derived from umbilical tissue that would otherwise be discarded and then processed in a sterile environment. NTXMSK uses umbilical cord-derived stem cells furnished from Liveyon. For further information on the source of these cells please read.

Bone marrow and adipose-derived stem cells

Science has discovered that both bone marrow and adipose cells are rich in MSCs. These can be harvested from the patient’s body and injected in a condensed form into an injured site. 

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) found in adult bone marrow are extracted from the back of the patient's pelvis or hip bone using a special needle developed for bone marrow extraction. FDA-approved devices concentrate the bone marrow into what is called “Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate” (BMAC). The cells are not manipulated or altered with additives. These adult stem cells are considered multipotent stem cells, so are able to differentiate into the type of cell into which they are injected.

Mesenchymal cells from adipose (fat) tissue are most often used in regenerative orthopedics. A small amount of fat is extracted with a needle developed for fat extraction. The fat sample is spun in a centrifuge to create an end product of stem cells and growth factors called the vascular stromal fraction (VSF). The cells are not altered with additives or manipulated. Adipose-derived stem cells have been used in conjunction with PRP and/or BMAC in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. 

Dextrose Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma Injections, PRP, are extremely valuable in many musculoskeletal conditions.  However, these procedures rely to a degree on the presence of localized stem cells.  In the case of chronic injury, age, or osteoarthritis, the necessary supply of repair cells may have been depleted.  Stem cell therapy then becomes a better option.

MSCs not only can differentiate into all the different cell types within a joint, but also moderate the local inflammatory response. They also have the ability for self-renewal over the long term and thus continue to work for long periods. Together, these attributes are essential for healing. MSC treatment is often used in tandem with platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment, with MSCs added to the PRP mixture and/or PRP used as follow-up boosters.

Applications

• Osteoarthritis. Traditional treatment has primarily been to mask the pain with drugs (eg, NSAIDS or cortisone) or other treatments. Stem Cell Therapy, however, helps to stimulate the body to regenerate or re-grow tissues in the area of injury, reducing further damage and promoting formation of new tissue.  In many cases, Stem Cell Therapy can prevent the need for replacement surgery.
• Ligament and tendon injuries. Damage to these tissues is generally difficult to treat as they have poor blood flow, which is apparent from their white color. Muscles, on the other hand, are red because they have a very good blood supply. The lack of adequate blood flow makes ligaments and tendons prone to incomplete healing from injury.

  Stem Cell Therapy is a good option for treating damage to ligaments and tendons. Not only can it prevent or delay the need for surgery, but it can also allow the patient to return to activity within a shorter period. If the injury is severe enough to require surgery, Stem Cell Therapy is a valuable follow-up procedure to enhance healing of both the surgical site itself and surrounding tissue.

Common conditions treated with Stem Cell therapy include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative joint disease
• Spine arthritis
• Meniscus tears
• Tendon tears
• Tendinitis

• Labrum tears
• Hamstring strains
• Ligament sprains, strains, and tears
• Tennis and golfers elbow
• Plantar fasciitis
• SI joint problems
• Tendon pain on thumb side of wrist (De Quervains Tenosynovitis)

FDA APPROVAL

All of our biological procedures are performed on the same day with minimal manipulation of blood, bone marrow, or adipose tissue & are therefore compliant with FDA CFR 21 Part 1271, falling under the same surgery exemption in FDA rule in 1271.15 (b).