Stem cell therapy is the use of stem cells to treat a disease, injury, or health condition. Stem cells are the body’s basic cells which can theoretically become any other type of cell in the person’s body.
With stem cells, researchers can study how medical conditions and diseases develop, how to tailor stem cells to regenerate, and how to repair diseased and damaged tissues.
How Do Stem Cells Work to Heal the Body?
Stem cells have had positive results in treating conditions like cardiovascular, orthopedic, neuromuscular, and autoimmune disorders. The main role of stem cell therapy is to amplify the natural repair system of the patient’s body by increasing the number of stem cells at the injury site or the site of pain.
Researchers are now utilizing two main types of stem cells, which are the following:
Adult Stem Cells
Ironically, stem cells are considered adult stem cells once they are more than five days old after conception (not birth). They were discovered to be different from embryonic stem cells by scientists when researching mice embryos. Researchers are constantly looking for new ways to “push” adult stem cells into becoming more flexible for use in different healing applications.
Stem cells are plentiful in our own fat (adipose) tissue and bone marrow. Stem cells have been used for more than four decades in treating blood cancers by using the cells from bone marrow.
Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells
These stem cells are found in the umbilical cord blood after the birth of a baby. These cells have the ability to change and create new specialized cells more than other types of adult stem cells, because they are not yet as differentiated as the other stem cells.
The umbilical cord is only harvested after a mother has just given birth to a live baby and has consented to donate the umbilical cord for this purpose. The umbilical cord is taken and the stem cells are harvested from its blood.
Why Would I Choose Stem Cell Treatment?
With stem cell therapy, you may be able to avoid surgery and its complications, such as healing time. It is a minimally invasive procedure wherein your own stem cells are harvested from your bone marrow, usually from the hip.
Since these cells originate from and are produced by your own body, there is no chance of disease transmission or cell rejection. The only issue that rarely occurs is if the patient’s body has a reaction to the other elements being used during the procedure.
Whatever treatment method you may have decided on, be sure to ask the opinion of your orthopedic doctor. It is best if the physician explains everything involved in stem cell therapy.
Orthopedic Surgeons in Austin, Texas
If you are looking for a trusted orthopedic clinic whose medical staff can provide stem cell therapy or PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy, contact us at All-Star Orthopedics of Austin. Our expert practitioners are here to provide you with high-caliber orthopedic care, including everything from pain-relief shots to joint reconstruction to sports medicine.
Call us today at (512) 346-4933 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you feel great again!
