Stem cell therapy is a regenerative medicine technique that uses the body's natural healing mechanism to treat various diseases.
Stem cells are present in all of us and serve as a repair system for the body. However, sometimes with increasing age, the required amount of stem cells is not found in the injured area. The goal of stem cell therapy is to strengthen the patient's body's natural repair system by increasing the number of stem cells at sites of injury.
Types of Stem Cells
There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic. stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are obtained from human embryos. They have the ability to transform into almost any cell type in the body. As the embryo develops and forms a baby, stem cells disperse throughout the body. It is found in certain areas of each tissue, such as bone marrow and blood. When the tissue is damaged and aged, these cells become active and enable the old and worn tissue to heal again. These are called adult stem cells. Like embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells can differentiate into more than one cell type, but their differentiation is into a limited number of cell types.
Uses of Stem Cells in Orthopedics and Traumatology
Adult stem cells can be collected from many parts of the body. These include fatty tissue, bone marrow and peripheral blood. Mesenchymal stem cell is the most commonly collected cell. These have the ability to develop into cells that form the musculoskeletal system, such as tendons, ligaments, and articular cartilage.
Currently, stem cell therapy is used to treat various degenerative conditions of the shoulder, knee, hip, and spine. Stem cells are also used in the treatment of various soft tissues (muscle, ligaments, and tendons) as well as bone-related injuries.
Preparation for Treatment
At least two days before your treatment. It is important that you stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) weeks ago. Your doctor will give you specific instructions depending on your condition.
Stem Cell Therapy
Bone Marrow
Treatment starts with your doctor taking stem cells from your own bone marrow r. Bone marrow is usually taken from the upper border of the pelvis. Your doctor will first clean and numb this area. Next, a needle is inserted into an area of your pelvic bone known as the iliac crest. The bone marrow is then aspirated using a special syringe and the resulting sample is spun in a machine for 10 to 15 minutes, separating a concentrated stem cell sample. Your doctor then cleans and anesthetizes the affected area to be treated and injects the stem cells into the diseased area, accompanied by special x-rays.
Adipose tissue
As we get older, we obtain fewer stem cells from the bone marrow. Unlike fat, which maintains the stem cell population with aging and is a much richer source of stem cells, bone marrow has very few stem cells for tissue repair. Therefore, fat is a very rich source of stem cells that are sustained throughout our lives and have been shown to be very effective in tissue repair. A much higher number of stem cells can be obtained from fat tissue than from bone marrow.
The treatment is performed with local anesthesia. Fat tissue (liposuction) is removed from your thigh or abdomen. The removed fat tissue is subjected to a series of procedures with the help of a device. Your doctor cleans and anesthetizes the affected area to be treated. Then, the stem cells obtained under the guidance of special x-rays are injected into the diseased area.
The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour, and you can return home the same day as the treatment.
Post-treatment care
After your treatment, you will most likely You will be able to return to work the next day. You will need to take it easy and avoid any weight-bearing activity for at least two weeks following your treatment. You will need to avoid taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for a while, as they can affect your body's healing process.
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