In recent years, stem cell therapy has generated a lot of buzz in the field of Orthopedics. An ever-increasing number of athletes and active individuals are turning to stem cell therapy to recuperate faster after injury and return quickly to activities they enjoy.
Stem cells are multipotent, which means they can differentiate into different types of cells such as bone cells, cartilage cells, tendon cells, or other types of cells as required causing growth of new tissue at the site of injury. This unique feature of stem cells may be used to treat joint damage from trauma; nagging ligament, tendon, or cartilage injuries; and early-stage arthritis.
Stem cells may be obtained from your own bone marrow or fat in a simple procedure. Typically, during the procedure the stem cells will be aspirated from your hip bone. The stem cells will then be concentrated in the lab and then reinjected at the site of injury. The entire process can be performed as an outpatient procedure and you can return home on the same day to return to routine activities. Within a few weeks, you should find noticeable improvement in your condition.
Some of the important benefits of stem cell therapy are that it harnesses the body’s natural healing capacity to speed up recovery and when the stem cells are used for treatment are derived from your own body, there is a reduced risk of infection or adverse reactions from the procedure.
You may be a candidate for this innovative procedure if you have been diagnosed with tendonitis, mild-to-moderative degenerative joint disease, tears of the cartilage or ligament tissue, or any type of musculoskeletal injury that has not responded to conservative treatments such as rest, icing, physical therapy, and pain medication; and you would prefer to postpone or avoid the need for surgery and a long postsurgical recovery.
Contact your doctor or an orthopedic specialist with expertise in stem cell therapy to see if you might benefit from this procedure.
