How Can Stem Cell Therapy Treat Orthopaedic Injuries?
June 2022
Stem cell therapy is an innovative type of regenerative medicine that is intended to activate stem cells to restore and treat damaged cells, tissues and organs. Stem cells are incredibly versatile, which makes them one of the body’s strongest regenerative tools. They are the only cells in the body that have the ability to become any cell. When placed in the right environment, they can become bone, cartilage, muscle, tendon or any other cell the body needs at that time.
This reparative capability is exceptionally important in the treatment of orthopaedic injuries. This type of regenerative treatment is intended to promote the healing of muscles or tendons, ease pain, improve the function of arthritic joints and even speed up recovery after surgery.
Where Do Stem Cells Come From?
Stem cells are in every person, but their concentration and capabilities vary depending on where they’re found. In adults, the most potent stem cells are found in bone marrow, synovial (joint) tissue, body fat and blood. The harvesting method of growth factor, hyaluronic acid and other naturally occurring compounds that unlock the full potential of the body’s own stem cells varies. For most regenerative therapies, stem cells are harvested from a donor (allogenic) or directly from the patient being treated (autologous).
How Is Stem Cell Therapy Administered?
Regenerative serums are injected into the body by a few different methods, but the most common stem cell therapies are done through intravenous or intramuscular injections. Once the patient’s blood or bone marrow is drawn it will go through a purification or a centrifugal separation process to concentrate the desirable compounds.
Once the treatment is ready to be administered, a doctor trained in the administration of regenerative therapies will inject the cells into the targeted area of injury. The injection may require the use of a fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance.
What Orthopaedic Injuries Can Stem Cell Therapy Treat?
Musculoskeletal injuries affecting the bones, tendons, ligaments and joints, especially those caused by sports or physical trauma, like an auto accident, may respond positively to regenerative therapies.
Stem cell therapy has been used to treat common orthopaedic issues including:
- Low back and neck pain (disc degeneration)
- Compression fractures
- Wrist fractures
- Sprained ankles
- Knee, hip or other joint osteoarthritis
- ACL tears
- Stress fractures
- Dislocation of the shoulder (labral tear)
- Rotator cuff tears
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Meniscus tears
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
What Are the Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy?
Many patients in the Marietta or Carrollton area have used stem cell therapies to treat aching or injured joints, including their knees, elbows and shoulders. Stem cell therapy is known to reduce inflammation and promote healing, but there are many more benefits associated with the treatment.
Improves mobility: Hyaluronic acid is a natural compound in the body that lubricates the joints and tendons to maintain or increase mobility. This compound is found in regenerative medicine injections and helps relieve pain from an injury or degeneration while at the same time improving the mobility of the joint.
Restores tissue: Aside from superficial pain relief, stem cell therapy restores degenerated tissue to sustain the affected area. Studies have shown that stem cells can potentially reverse some diseases or ailments because they work to replace damaged cells and tissue with new, healthier ones.
Recovery time is minimal: Compared to invasive orthopaedic surgeries, stem cell therapy requires little to no recovery time. Most patients can return to their daily routines immediately after receiving treatment.
Schedule Regenerative Medicine Treatments in Georgia
Your well-being should be a top priority. If you are experiencing pain from a sports injury or are suffering from arthritis, reclaim your health with stem cell therapy.
Our team at Non-Surgical Orthopaedics offers a variety of regenerative therapies designed to treat chronic and acute injuries.
Contact our office at 770-421-1420 to schedule a consultation and find out if you’re a good candidate for regenerative medicine.