An Update on "Stem Cell" Therapy

“Stem Cell” Update

The orthopedic regenerative medicine treatment commonly referred to as “Stem Cell” has evolved as more scientific study and clinical use has occurred.

Current knowledge of the action of these cells on joints, cartilage, tendons and ligaments is one of a paracrine “signaling” function, attracting the patient’s own healing growth factors, multi-potent cells, macroglogulins and IRAP, fancy terms for blood-borne healing factors that are concentrated for long-term action at the site of injury.

Reference to “Stem Cell”, MSC, mesenchymal stem/stromal cell will eventually fade, as these terms are less accurate and outdated by current standards…

For simplicity’s sake, we refer to this mode of treatment as “Cellular Therapy”.  It is still most commonly harvested/concentrated from a patient’s own bone marrow (or occasionally fat).

Thus, for complete transparency –

                                  Cellular Therapy  “Stem Cell”

                                  Bone Marrow Aspirate   BMC

Kelly Cunningham MD

Austin Ortho Biologics

PRP and Cellular Therapy Specialist

Board-certified Orthopedic Surgery

Author

Dr. Kelly Cunningham Physician