One of the most popular up-and-coming treatments for orthopedic injuries is stem cell treatment. There’s lots of new information being reported seemingly every day about stem cells, their uses, their limitations, and more. Much of this information is incorrect and even contradicts fact, which makes it confusing and overwhelming to separate it all out on your own.
To help you, we’ve compiled a list of the top stem cell questions must have answers to before pursuing treatment. Finding the answers to these simple, yet important questions, will allow you to make an informed decision about care as well as learning more about stem cell therapy in the process.
Is There Solid Science Behind Stem Cell Therapy?
A common myth regarding stem cells is that they are still in the experimental stage, and are not put into common practice due to the lack of scientific evidence. Contrary to this belief, there have been multitudes of clinical studies and full-scale research projects that support the safeness of stem cell therapy. These trials have taken place across the world, where stem-cell therapy is sometimes considered the gold-standard.
Are All Stem Cell Orthopedic Clinics The Same?
Even if a clinic claims to offer stem cell therapies for orthopedic injuries, the training, philosophy, and quality of the treatments can vacillate greatly between clinics. More importantly, the results can vary greatly as well.
Regenerative medicine is a constantly evolving field, that is why among the dozens of clinics in the United States there are so many varying techniques, procedures, and practices regarding stem cell therapies.
Depending on the type of stem cell injections, some can have little to no effect on your conditions or symptoms. Even worse, certain therapies can be damaging. This is why it’s important as a patient to do your due diligence to locate a treatment with high treatment standards and a proven track record of success.
To help find the best stem cell clinics for you, do your homework, including looking up a review of the best stem cell clinics in the world. You’ll be able to hear real-life experiences and results from real patients – which can help you make an informed decision!
Can Stem Cells Be Harvested From Multiple Sources?
Another common myth about stem cells is that they must be harvested from embryos in order to properly treat orthopedic issues. This is not true!
There are many other sources in the body for viable stem cells including but not limited to bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissues. Our procedures are done with stem cells harvested from adult fat tissue and bone marrow — never from embryos. We’ve found that adipose tissue in particular provides many benefits over other stem cell sources.
Is Everyone A Good Candidate for Orthopedic Stem Cell Treatment?
Like anything else, medical clinics are a business. That’s why many clinics are more interesting in securing you as a patient than they are in making sure you’ll have the highest probability of a good treatment outcome. Unfortunately, many times that means they may not tell you that not everyone is a good candidate for orthopedic stem cell treatment.
How can you prevent yourself from being duped? On one of your first visits, be educated regarding your eligibility through a consultation with a qualified professional regarding your goals, health history, and current orthopedic issues. Only then can it be properly determined if you’re a good candidate for stem cell orthopedics.
Can Stem Cell Treatment Replace Or Delay Orthopedic Surgery?
Patients and doctors alike are very excited about stem cell therapy as a viable alternative to orthopedic surgery. NSI has had tremendous success in treating muscle tears, meniscus tears, and tendon injuries (including partial tears of the rotator cuff of the shoulder).
Since traditional orthopedic surgery has numerous associated potential risks and costs, be sure to evaluate stem cell orthopedic surgery before pursuing more invasive procedures.
Additional information regarding stem cell treatment for orthopedic issues can be found at the U.S. National Library of Medicine/National Institute of Health.
Is There Only One Type Of Stem Cell Therapy?
Each and every one of our patients is an individual with a unique set of concerns, orthopedic issues, and goals. That’s why we’re committed to customizing an individual treatment plan for each patient whether it be for a stem cell knee repair or something else.
It’s important to us that you have the absolute best probability of a successful outcome. Creating a custom treatment plan derived for your orthopedic issues contributes to that mission.
Will Stem Cell Therapy Heal My Injury In A Single Treatment?
While the human body does operate in miraculous ways, a single stem cell treatment is unfortunately not enough to provide proper healing to an orthopedic injury. That’s why your stem cell therapy should not be limited to just one visit.
A clinic that is serious about your success will create an entire plan for your orthopedic issues. This may include multiple treatments, addition of PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy, and the recommendation of lifestyle changes that may aggravate your orthopedic concerns.
Can Stem Cell Therapy Solve All Of My Medical Problems?
We love to hear when patients report near-miraculous recovery and healing from their orthopedic problems as a result of stem cell therapy. As much as we’d like it to, this may not always be the case. During your initial consultations, the medical staff and stem cell doctors always caution patients to not think of stem cell therapies as miracles. The strides that have been made in modern medicine through regenerative practices are exciting and very real.
Just keep in mind that stem cell therapies are real medicine, and not magic bullets. Your results are always subject to vary based on a number of factors including but not limited to:
Your health
The severity of your orthopedic issues
The skill & the experience of the clinic you select.
Other specific notable qualities about stem cells are that they can:
- Repair and create blood vessels.
- Repair or regrow nerve tissue, bone tissue, cartilage, organ tissue, and more.
- Become components of blood itself such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma.
- Assist with other degenerative conditions or dysfunction.
It is the very nature of stem cells that is ushering in a new medical revolution in the treatment of injuries, illnesses, and chronic conditions. We are just beginning to understand the huge potential for using stem cells to address and improve a number of orthopedic concerns, pain, and other disease. New research is underway. We encourage you to stay on top of the latest results and reports on our website.