Stem Cell Therapy in San Diego
Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that utilizes the body’s natural healing mechanism to treat various conditions. Stem cells are used in regenerative medicine to renew and repair diseased or damaged tissues, and have shown promising results in treatments of various orthopedic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular and autoimmune conditions.
Stem cells exist in everybody, acting like a repair system. However, with increased age, the necessary amounts of stem cells are not present at the injured area. The goal of stem cell therapy is to amplify the natural repair system of the patient’s body by increasing the numbers of stem cells at injury sites.
At Total Stem Cell Clinic, we are pioneers in Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy (BMCC). Not only have our physicians remained on the cutting edge of this minimally invasive approach to orthopedic wellness, they have also been instrumental in researching and developing this technique from the outset.
When you come to our office, rest assured you are in the hands of those who know it best, leading to improved outcomes, reduced downtime, and greater comfort and mobility.
Stem Cell Therapy Procedure
It is well established that a significant population of our bodies’ stem cells are contained within our bone marrow. By harvesting blood and tissue from the bone marrow space of the hip, an injectable product is produced by concentrating platelets and cells withdrawn through a simple outpatient needle aspiration procedure.
This procedure is usually done with local anesthetic and light sedation. BMCC contains all of the growth and healing factors in PRP, along with concentrated “pluripotent” or stem-like cells which further contribute to the regenerative process.
…are the two sources of stem cells that can be used. The bone marrow stem cells (BMAC) are harvested from the posterior iliac crest (the back of the hip) and the adipose stem cells (ADSC) from the abdomen or buttock area.
Currently it is illegal to generate stem cells from adipose tissue in the USA. However, The FDA has cleared the use of BMAC. There is no proven difference between BMAC and fat- derived stem cells.
At Total Stem Cell Therapy we strongly believe in following the policies and rulings of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure your safety.
Conditions Treated by Stem Cell
Therapy
Generally, Stem Cell Therapy is advised for moderate osteoarthritis in the:
- HIP
- KNEE
- ANKLE
- SHOULDER
- THUMB
Stem Cell Therapy FAQ
Stem cells are found at different stages of human development and can be categorized based on the level of development, the range of cells produced, or the types of cells produced. These categories often overlap each other.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections are concentrating specialized platelets in the blood with a natural platelet mixture and reintroducing it to the injured area. Stem Cell Therapy, however, is extracting cells before they’re specialized, concentrating them (like to PRP), and injecting them into the injured area to promote natural healing in the body.
Adult mesenchymal stem cells are obtained in office from red bone marrow. These stem cells are autologous, or derived from your own body. Red bone marrow is aspirated from the hip (coxal) bones. Given the nature of stem cells, bone marrow tissue regenerate following extraction, so there is no concern of depleting the body of these components.
Mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow have been found to perform better than adipose mesenchymal stem cells when applied to sites of injury. This is because mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow are excellent at producing cartilage, bone, and soft tissues—the essential components of joints.
As with PRP, those who may not be eligible for Stem Cell Therapy include patients who are dependent on NSAIDs or cortisone, have an active cancer or infection, smoke, have low blood pressure, have bleeding/clotting/platelet disorders, or who suffer from illnesses such as cerebral palsy or Parkinson’s disease.
The only side effects associated with Stem Cell Therapy are localized pain at the site, as mentioned before. Stem cells are extracted from your own body, negating the possibility of an immune response.
Patients may experience pain or soreness at the sites of injection and extraction for a few days following the procedure. Stem Cell Therapy is non-surgical, minimally invasive, and does not require rehabilitation following the procedure. However, patients should refrain from strenuous activity such as running for several weeks following the procedure to allow for recovery. Otherwise, daily activities can be resumed immediately after.
The number of treatments needed depends on the body’s response to initial treatment. Patients can see improvements with as little as one treatment or as many as five.
Patients should refrain from using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) 7-10 days prior to the procedure.
Embryonic and fetal stem cells are not obtainable from your body. It is possible to use these stem cells cultured from laboratories or donors; however, the practice remains highly controversial. Stem cells produced in vitro refer to the lab cultured, artificially produced cells. Donors, on the other hand, contribute stem cells produced in vivo—these cells are derived from natural fertilization. Using allogenic stem cells (stem cells derived from a donor from other than yourself) can trigger an immune response from within the body, as these cells contain different cellular markers from your own body and can be identified as foreign invaders. More so, embryonic stem cells and fetal stem cells prior to five weeks of gestation may uncontrollably proliferate and result in teratomas (germ cell tumors) as a result of unclear differentiation. Adequate differentiation can only be obtained from natural development during pregnancy.
After the procedure, patients should refrain from using any type of anti-inflammatory medications, including NSAIDs, to allow the healing process to take place. Inflammation is an essential part of the healing process in the body and should not be interrupted following injection. Inflammation brings blood to the area of interest, supplying it with essential nutrients and proteins. However, patients may use non anti-inflammatory pain medication such as Tylenol or other pain medications to ease any discomfort.
Stem Cell Therapy treats the same injuries as PRP. These injuries include:
- Shoulder, neck or back pain
- Wrist or elbow pain
- Knee, ankle or foot pain
- Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, shoulder, etc.
- Meniscal tears of the knee (ACL or MCL)
- Labral tears of the shoulder
- Rotator cuff tears
- Tendinitis of the shoulder, ankle, foot, etc.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Cartilage injuries
- Bursitis
- Fractures
Improvements will not be immediate, as the body’s healing process takes time to complete. However, general improvements can be noticed as soon as two to three weeks following the procedure. Complete recovery will take several months.
Like PRP, Stem Cell Therapy is not covered by most insurances. You will need to contact your insurance provider to determine your eligibility for coverage.
Is Stem Cell Therapy Right For You?
Bone marrow stem cell therapy is a promising new method for treating a number of orthopedic ailments, but it’s not for everyone. In general, it’s reserved for more advanced injuries when treatments like platelet rich plasma may not be strong enough to effectively provide relief and improved function.
In addition, patients with a history of lymphoma, leukemia, certain blood diseases and multiple medical issues are often not candidates. During your initial consultation, our San Diego experts will review your medical history and injuries with you to help you determine if you’re an ideal candidate.
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