What are stem cells used for?

Treatment with stem cells (regenerative medicine) represents a revolution compared to existing treatments, due to its ability to REGENERATE damaged tissues.

Different types of stem cells

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are a unique type of adult stem cell with the function of suppressing inflammation and modulating immune responses by secreting proinflammatory substances.

Its application can focus on the repair, replacement, or regeneration of cells, tissues, or organs to restore impaired function from any cause, such as birth defects, trauma, and aging. Regenerating knee cartilage using stem cells is one of the most common treatments.

Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs: mesenchymal stem cells) is performed with multipotent stem cells. From which other cells are generated that will differentiate into different types of tissues such as: cartilage, bone or fibrous tissue (intervertebral disc).

The use of stem cell treatment has many advantages at a general level, since they can help all types of diseases.

Regenerative function of stem cells: this function is one of the most important, though these many benefits are achieved, the work to be carried out by the cells would be to eliminate those damaged cells and regenerate. The pathologies that most benefit from this are Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or cancer, and many other pathologies.

At Elgeadi Traumatology we have verified the ability of stem cells to regenerate and repair injuries to cartilage, bones, tendons, or intervertebral discs. All this is thanks to the regenerative properties that we have mentioned previously, which have the ability to modulate the secretion of proinflammatory substances, suppressing inflammation.

The use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of herniated disc and/or degeneration of the intervertebral disc is a promising therapeutic strategy, due to its known regenerative, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.

For this reason, it constitutes a valid alternative for young patients to continue practising sports and in elderly patients, as an alternative to the implantation of a prosthesis.

Its use may be indicated as a complementary treatment in those processes in which tissue regeneration or healing is required:

Cartilage and meniscus injuries: a meniscus tear is a very common injury in athletes. stem cell therapy turns out to be of great help for the regeneration of cartilage.

Avascular Bone Necrosis in early stages: Necrosis is the death of the patient's bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. This stem cell therapy can prevent the destruction of the joint and thus prevent the placement of a prosthesis in the future.

Bone fractures: One of the most common diseases in which stem cell therapy is usually used is osteoporosis, this disease consists of degeneration of the bone tissues, making the bones brittle.

Arthrosis and pseudoarthrosis: It is a form of arthritis in which there is a deterioration in the cartilage of the affected joint. It is very common to use this stem cell therapy on the cartilage in the knee or shoulder.

Ligament and tendon injuries: Another of the most common sports injuries is ligament and tendon rupture, specifically, anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The use of this stem cell therapy favors tissue regeneration.

How are stem cells collected?

Stem cell therapy consists of extracting mesenchymal stem cells from the patient's body (mainly from fat or bone marrow) and then cultivating them in the laboratory. The main function of stem cell culture is the manipulation of these so that the traumatologist keeps the specific cells for the ailment.

Once the necessary number of cells has been obtained, it undergoes a process of centrifugation and enzymes to obtain the stem cells, which lasts one hour.

After this time, in the same operation, these cells are injected under radiological control into the intervertebral disc, where they regenerate the tissue, repairing the damage without consequences.

With the injection and infiltration of mesenchymal stem cells in the area of discs that have ruptured fibers of the annulus, it is intended to prevent the progression of disc degeneration and the painful consequences it causes. It is useful both for the treatment of nerve compression due to the herniation of the internal content of the disc, as well as for Osteoarthritis of the spine.

This technique is generally performed on an outpatient basis and with local anesthesia. The patient is discharged the day of the intervention and does not usually require time off work or produce side effects, which is why it is even possible to return to work the same day.

It is recommended to complement this treatment with Platelet Rich Plasma infiltrations, since they stimulate the growth of new cells.