Orthopedic problems are injuries, ailments, or diseases that effect muscles, ligaments, and joints causing knee, shoulder, neck or back pain, torn cartilage, foot or ankle problems, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and degenerative diseases. Each patient case will be evaluated to determine success with attempting regenerative medicine. It is important to keep in mind that not all orthopedic problems are responsive to stem cell therapy. During your comprehensive evaluation, if you are not a candidate for stem cell therapy, options for regenerative treatments will include hormone replacement therapy, or various nutritional and herbal therapies.
Current Research Studies for Orthopedic Problems
“Therapeutic Potential of Adipose Derived Stromal Cells in Age-Related Osteoporosis” This study evaluated using adipose derived stromal cells to treat age-related osteoporosis in a mouse model. A single intratibial injection resulted in significant improvement of bone quality in the treated mice. The findings of this study show that the use of Adipose Derived Stromal Cells to treat Osteoporosis should be used on humans. (August 2014).
“Stem Cell Treatment: Out from the Shadows, Onto the Cutting Edge” This article discusses NFL player Chris Johnson and his choice to undergo bone marrow stem cell injections in his knee rather than undergo surgery to repair a torn meniscus. The article does not speak of results, just the potential for bringing treatments to the US with clinical trials rather than sending patients overseas to be injected with unknown substances. (July 2014).
“Clinical Trials Shows Stem Cell Injections Reduce Low Back Pain” This article explains a 100 patient, phase 2 international clinical trial using stem cells to treat low back pain. Results showed that a single injection of stem cells reduced low back pain on average at least 50 percent at 12 months. (March 2014).
“Application of Biologics in the Treatment of the Rotator Cuff, Meniscus, Cartilage, and Osteoarthritis” This research article reviews how the advances in cell signaling and biology have led to the development and use of therapies to help in the healing and regenerative process. Growth factor therapies, including Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) can help in healing a partial tear of a tendon. Cell therapies involve harvesting and delivering stem cells to aid in repairing cartilage. The article explains the 4 criteria required by the FDA to qualify the use of adult mesenchymal stem cell therapy as low risk. The article then reviews various clinical trials in both animals and humans using stem cells to treat different orthopedic disorders – Rotator Cuff, Meniscus Repair, Cartilage Repair, and Osteoarthritis. (February 2014).
“Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Delivered via Intra-Articular Injection to the Knee Following Partial Medial Meniscectomy” This study investigated 55 patients who underwent a partial meniscectomy and were given a single injection of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells 7 to 10 days after surgery. Patients were evaluated on the safety of the injection into the knee, the ability of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells to promote meniscus regeneration, and the effects of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells on osteoarthritic changes in the knee. The study concluded there was evidence of meniscus regeneration and a significant reduction in knee pain. (January 2014).
“Safety Reporting on Implantation of Autologous Tissue-Derived stem cells with Platelet-rich plasma into human articular joints: Stem Cell Treatment” This article examined the safety of injecting Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells into human joints as a treatment option for various orthopedic conditions. Their study included 91 patients and 100 injection sites. Their follow-up was at 1 month, 3 month, and close to 3 years. They used both MRI testing and telephone follow-ups and found that in 91 patients there were no tumors or other conditions detected at implantation site. Their research concluded that using Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells with local injection could be considered safe. (December 2013).
“Autologous Adipose Tissue Derived Stem Cells Induce Persistent Bone-Like Tissue in Osteonecrotic Femoral Heads” This study focused on whether Adipose Derived Stem Cell and Platelet Rich Plasma therapy leads to regenerating bone-like tissue and reducing pain of patients with femoral head osteonecrosis. This study examined 2 patient cases where patients with severe hip pain and femoral head osteonecrosis were injected with adipose derived stem cells mixed with platelet rich plasma and hyaluronic acid weekly for 4 weeks. Before and after MRI scans were done to note any improvements. Conclusions indicated that using an adipose derived stem cell and platelet rich plasma therapy for severe femoral head osteonecrosis may hold promise for other patients. (January 2012).
“Regeneration of Human Bones in Hip Osteonecrosis and Human Cartilage in Knee Osteoarthritis with Autologous Adipose Tissue Derived Stem Cells: A Case Series” This is a review study of clinical case reports indicating that injecting Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma, and calcium chloride may be able to regenerate bones in osteonecrosis. Also, adding a very low dose of dexamethasone help to regenerate cartilage in knee osteoarthritis. Results indicated that after 3 months of therapy, all patients reported significant improvement to their hips and knees.
“Clinical Study of Lumbar Fusion by Hybrid Construct of Stem Cells Technique and Biodegradable Material” The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of bone marrow stem cell therapy for lumbar fusion. The study included 56 patients with lumbar instability, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease. The bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells were enriched with beta-tri calcium phosphate or the patient’s own bone graft to increase the concentration of stem cells. Results showed that the enrichment techniques act as a good bone substitute for spinal fusion. (April 2008).
“Regenerative Effects of Transplanting Mesenchymal Stem Cells Embedded in Atelocollagen to the Degenerated Intervertebral Disc” In an attempt to find an effective treatment for Intervertebral disc degeneration, this research study of rabbits transplanted bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells to see if stem cells could repair degenerative tissue. Their findings indicated that stem cells effectively regenerated disc degeneration. (January 2006).
“Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplanted to a Rabbit Degenerative Disc Model: Potential and Limitations for Stem Cell Therapy in Disc Regeneration” This was an in vivo (within living animals) study conducted to see if mesenchymal stem cells transplanted to degenerative discs of rabbits are a reliable alternative therapy to treat disc degeneration. Results of the study showed that there was significant restoration of disc degeneration. Their conclusions indicated that based on the significant results of the use of stem cell therapy for disc degeneration, further research is necessary for evaluation of the functional role of stem cell therapy. (November 2005).
“The Potential Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Critical Overview” This research article reviews using Mesenchymal Stem Cells to regenerate Intervertebral Disc. They noted that there were still obstacles to overcome including survival and proliferation of stem cells within the degenerating discs, but that Mesenchymal Stem Cell therapy to slow or reverse Intervertebral disc degeneration has potential. (September 2005).
“Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplanted into Rabbit Intervertebral Discs can Increase Proteoglycans” This study used an animal model (Rabbits) to determine whether bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells could be injected to increase the amount of cells (proteoglycans) in Intervertebral Discs. The study concluded that there was a significant increase supporting the use of stem cell therapy as a treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration. (January 2005).
“New Strategies for Disc Repair: Novel Preclinical Trials” This is a report on ideas for clinical trials using mesenchymal stem cell therapy to treat degenerative lumbar discs. The study mentioned 3 future trials – using mesenchymal stem cells to activate nucleus pulposus cells; using mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate as an alternate cell source for transplantation to treat disc degeneration; or possibly using human nucleus pulposus cells for cell transplantation therapy. (2005).
“Stem Cell Regeneration of the Nucleus Pulposus” This article reviews the use of mesenchymal stem cells to treat low back pain due to disc degeneration. Mesenchymal Stem Cells can differentiate into nucleus-pulposus cells. Conclusions of this study show promise for further research to prove that stem cell therapy will repair degenerative disc lower back pain. (November – December 2004).
“Light-Activated Gene Transduction of Recombinant Adeno-Associated Virus in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells” This study looked at uses of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells as therapy for tissue repair and regeneration for conditions like osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and degenerative disc disease. This study examined using UV light in order to stimulate gene modification. The results indicate that combining UV light with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) have the potential as a promising procedure for using gene therapy to treat degenerative orthopedic conditions. (January 2004).
“Cell Therapy for Disc Degeneration – Potentials and Pitfalls” This is a review study of potential therapies such as stem cells to be used as a treatment for patients with chronic lower back pain. This study shows that stem cells have the potential of slowing the degeneration process. (January 2004).
“Biologic Strategies for the Therapy of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration” This article examined various approaches of biologic therapies for disc degeneration. These approaches included mesenchymal stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and engineering cell-based tissue. The article discusses the potential of each approach mentioned in animal studies and human clinical trials. (December 2003).
“Transplantation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Embedded in Atelocollagen Gel to the Intervertebral Disc: A Potential Therapeutic Model for Disc Degeneration” This study investigated the use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells being embedded in Atelocollagen Gel and injected into rabbits with intervertebral disc degeneration. The results proved to be effective in a deceleration of disc degeneration. The conclusion from the research strengthens the efficacy of researching the use of this therapy model to treat humans with degenerative disc disease to decelerate symptoms. (September 2003).
“Recent Advances in Disc Cell Biology” This article discusses how research studies are helping to better understand degenerating, aging, and healthy discs. It concludes that the possibilities of new cell therapies are exciting for repairing degenerating discs. (January 2003).