Stem Caps
The stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis of the knees and hips ... can it work?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in adults and affects approximately 40 million Americans. It is a disease that affects articular cartilage, the cartilage that caps the ends of long bones.
OA is a disease of the weight-bearing joints such as the neck, back, hips, and knees.
Because the ability to walk depends entirely the proper functioning of the legs, the impact of osteoarthritis in hips and knees can not be excluded. In fact, it is estimated that more than 100,000 Americans can not walk independently of your bed to the bathroom.
The treatment approach for this disease has been primarily on relief of pain and lifestyle changes. Management appropriate weight, exercise, physical therapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been the mainstays of treatment. For patients with more severe problems, injections of corticosteroids ("cortisone") and viscosupplements also been used.
Unfortunately, these measures, while appeasement, support in symptom control only. There have been no treatment that has been conclusively shown to regenerate cartilage and to heal damaged cartilage.
Glucosamine and chondroitin preparations have shown a modest effect on the maintenance of cartilage ... but studies have shown conflicting evidence regarding the amount of improvements.
However, recently there has been an increased interest in using stem cells as a possible treatment modality for this disease.
The use of fetal stem cells is controversial ... However, there is another good source that escapes the controversial adult stem cells.
So what are the stem cells? Are progenitor cells, which means they are the first form of the cell. Stem cells (SC) is made in the bone marrow and pluropotential. This means they can differentiate into any cell type of tissue. Stem cells are responsible for growth and healing in the body.
The adult type embryo and is free and you can create a specific body part, such as tissue, cartilage and bone.
So how are stem cells obtained adult? According to Dr. Nathan Wei, "Adult stem cells are extracted from the posterior iliac crest of the pelvis (the back of the pelvis. With anesthesia local, with the guidance of ultrasound, a small biopsy needle is introduced. A syringe attached to the needle and is used to remove stem cells from bone marrow. "Dr. Wei goes on to say:" Stem cells are then prepared and concentrated using a technique that consists of a specially designed centrifuge. "
"At the same time also removing the patient's blood to isolate platelet-rich plasma. The platelet-rich plasma contains growth factors that promote regeneration of collagen, a major component of cartilage, "he adds.
He goes on to say, "Then enter knee with another small needle under local anesthesia and "fun" of cartilage and tendons that are the source of arthritis ... well as the source of much pain, all under ultrasound guidance. When we finished we will inject stem cells and platelet-rich plasma. The end result is cartilage regeneration .
According to most experts, the potential side effects are minimal. "Most patients are surprised how quickly to be active again. The advantage of stem cell therapy is that it is like having a new set of tires. Unlike getting a knee replacement, you can return to practice aerobics and running, said Dr. Wei. "
Dr. Wei says, "The advantage is that the patient is his own donor and provides its own therapy. It is very like receiving a blood transfusion for yourself. "
Because the cells are not foreign to the body, engineered or manipulated no way, no possibility of infection or rejection when the isolated cells re-enter the body.
Dr. Wei gave a warning. "The procedure is better for patients in the range of 30-60 years of age. When patients are older, their chondrocytes of cartilage-cells do not respond as well to stimulation by stem cells and platelet-rich plasma. "
About the Author
Nathan Wei, MD FACP FACR is a board-cerfied rheumatologist. For more info:
Arthritis Treatment
or
Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland
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