Current Stem Cell Treatments for Orthopedic Conditions

March 8, 2015

Current Stem Cell Treatments for Orthopedic Conditions

The stem cells have a unique ability to divide and become more specialized cells forming cells like bone, blood, or muscle. It is this ability that makes them attractive agents in many areas of medicine. They can therefore be used to fight very many diseases in the regenerative medicine. Another advantage of stem cell therapy treatments is that autologous stem cell transport is made possible. This means that a person may be treated by doctors harvesting the stem cells from the patient and having the stem cells reimplanted into the same patient after finding out what was lacking in the patient. This reduces risks of infection as well as rejection which are helpful to the patient.

Today the stem cell therapy has become the game changing approach to treatment of orthopedic conditions. The ability of these stem cells to differentiate into more specialized cells has made them a valuable target in treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Particularly the use of bone marrow stromal cells has attracted the attention of researchers who are in pursuit of finding out how these stem cells can be applied to end human misery caused by some diseases.

Stem cells are a unique type of cells, unlike the other cells in the body the stem cell have the ability to self-renew, they have the ability to divide several times giving rise to differentiated cells which are suited for specific functions hence can be used to replace or regenerate worn out cells in the body causing pain and discomfort. They can form cardiac, liver, fat, bone, cartilage, nerve, and connective tissue cells among other more specialized cells. Autologous stem cell therapy harnesses the regenerative power of your body’s own stem cells as a treatment option for degenerative orthopedic conditions.

body_skeleton

Today there are hospitals that have embraced the use of stem cells therapy in treating orthopedic conditions that were rather not easily treated in the past. They offer this autologous stem cell therapy, which embraces the regenerative power of mesenchymal stem cells to give patients another treatment option for dealing with orthopedic conditions such as osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint conditions. Patients who have the following diseases can benefit from stem cell therapy;

Degenerative Joint Changes, Including Osteoarthritis
Disc-related Back Pain
Meniscus Tears
Non-Union Fractures
Avascular Necrosis
Bone Loss
Cartilage Defects
Osteonecrosis
Tendonopathies

Orthopedic Areas in which Stem Cell Therapy is applicable

Spine – the stem cell therapy is applicable in treatment of the degenerated intervertebral disk which is known to cause pain and morbidity to many patients. The stem cell therapy brings into the field of regenerative medicine some bits of effectiveness. In treatment of spine, patients who fail to respond to conservative medicine are left with one option-surgery that may have limited success and is also very invasive. Cell-based tissue treatments, including mesenchymal stem cell injections for degenerative disc subjects have been shown to diminish the incidence of low back pain, with clinical results noting improvement in back pain and regeneration of the disc tissue. In cases where spinal fusions are necessary, the use of stem cells through bone marrow aspirate has shown greater success in obtaining fusion through bone formation as compared to standard fusion techniques. Daily the number of institutions using the stem cell therapy to treat orthopedic conditions is increasing.

Articular Cartilage – when the articular cartilage is damaged, the potential to repair it are limited and this can often lead to arthritic diseases many years later. This damage may be caused by injury. The vulnerability of the articular cartilage makes it important for it to be well handled in cases of injury. studies that have been done on the applicability of the stem cell therapy to repair damaged articular cartilage have shown that stem cell therapy have favorable outcomes in this area than current techniques of micro fracture and autologous chondrocyte implantation. Most studies use mesenchymal stem cells derived from the bone marrow.

Osteonecrosis – Osteonecrosis or avascular ischemia of the hip can be associated with progression to an advanced arthritic joint. Standard treatment for osteonecrosis has included cord decompression with limited results. Stem cell therapy holds key to success in this area of orthopedic treatment. Studies on this area have shown that patients treated with mesenchymal stem cells improved than those treated with cord decompression.

Bone – some damages on the bone may require transplantation of the bone plus other bone components. This is the effective way of restoring the bone structure. Being that the mesenchymal stem cells can be differentiated into bone cells and be used to replace the damaged bone components, stem cell therapy becomes the most appropriate treatment for bone damage.

Tendons and Ligaments – Autografts, allografts, and resorbable materials have been used to repair defects in tendons and ligaments however these methods puts the life of the patient at risk which may include formation of scars, donor morbidity and even tissue rejection. With autologous stem cell transplant all these risks are alleviated plus the mesenchymal stem cells may also be used alongside tissue allografts as this gives better results by improving the biochemical properties of the tissue allografts.

Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for orthopedic diseases; you may tap into the unique medicinal properties of the stem cells to help you beat orthopedic conditions. Visit us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Centre at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) an expert in integrative and regenerative medicine will be able to help.

Current Stem Cell Treatments for Orthopedic Conditions

Stem Cell Therapy Used By Pro Athletes to Heal Injuries

March 6, 2015

Stem Cell Therapy Used By Pro Athletes to Heal Injuries

The intriguing medicinal abilities of the stem cell therapy seem to have got embraced by athletes. today there are athletes who are using the stem cell therapy to help heal joint related injuries that they get in the course of playing their games and ultimately reduce their ability to play as well as they ought to. Stem cell therapy seems to be a game changing strategy in treating injuries that would rather be complicated treating with surgery alone. however despite the known benefits of the stem cell therapy and its exceptional relief it offers to patients given that it is the most versatile approach to treatment of diseases, It has not got into mainstream medical treatments for sports medicine and most of the time the teams do not pay for the costs incurred by athletes who opt to get treated through the stem cell therapy needless to mention it is still not recognized in the US. Despite these some athletes have chosen to tap into the immense potential of stem cell therapy to heal their respective injuries.

Chris Johnson, 28 is one of the many of NFL players who have opted to have their injuries a stem cell therapy treatment having heard of the amazing potential of the stem cell therapy when he visited orthopedic surgeon James Andrews in January, 2014 to fix his ailing left knee. Johnson had suffered a torn meniscus while in action for the Titans. When Dr. James Andrews presented him with the idea of stem cell therapy he decided to give it a try.

Knee injuries

“When I tore my meniscus and played the season out, through the wear and tear, I lost a lot of cartilage,” says Johnson, who was signed by the Jets to bring explosiveness to their offense. “When you put the stem cells in, it might be able to help rebuild that cartilage in your knee. Hopefully, it makes your knee better for even more years.” he adds.

Having agreed to have the therapy done, Johnson had stem cells siphoned from bone marrow with along needle from the iliac crest of his pelvis and had these stem cells injected directly on his injured knee. This was done with hopes that the stem cells will not only work as anti-inflammatory agents but also hasten the healing of the knee by repairing the torn meniscus.

Stem cell therapy is popular among NFL Players

Evidently, Johnson is not the only athletes who have used the stem cell therapy to heal his injury. Another Pro athlete, Peyton Manning is reported to have tried a stem-cell treatment in Europe in 2011, which was his final year with the Colts with an aim of fast-tracking his recovery from neck surgery. another athlete, Prince Amukamara, Giants cornerback had a slow-healing broken metatarsal treated with stem cells by a foot specialist in North Carolina after his team’s Super Bowl XLVI run. One NFL linebacker paid $6,000 a pop for a 1-milliliter vial of donated placenta tissue containing stem cells to be injected into each of his beat-up knees this offseason but asked for his name not to be used in this story because he didn’t tell his team’s medical staff. This shows how amazing the stem cell therapy is in view of these pro-athletes.

It is reported that stem cell therapy has become more popular with NFL athletes, as it now stands, of the 32 teams, hundreds of the players have got stem cell treatment for their various injuries. This averages to six players per team which is impressive, however the stem cell therapy is still not a mainstream treatment and it still is somehow a shadow that is not understood by many. however, evidence of the stem cell therapy’s usefulness in treating athletes’ injuries is so far largely anecdotal, NFL teams often will not pick up the bill for players, and the overseas market for treatments not approved in the U.S. makes the whole field seem somewhat taboo but this has not discouraged the athletes which may mean that they have seen some benefits with the therapy.

Knee injuries The sports doctors have been recently pushing for the NFL teams to pick the bills that athletes incur while getting the stem cell therapy and to shun this view of stem cell therapy as farfetched. Dr. Andrews who is an expert in biologics – term refers to substances that are produced in living systems such as humans, animals and microorganisms, rather than manufactured like drugs is an important in this push. it is expected that when the US embraces the stem cell treatment for the athletes then the sport doctors like Dr. Andrews will be able to offer their star-studded clientele more of these treatments more effectively in the U.S. in this agenda the retired NFL players will be studied to prove how well the stem cell therapy works in treating arthritis of the knee, this is a more regenerating approach to treatment of injuries.

“We have had one big revelation in sports medicine over the last 50 years, and that was the arthroscope,” Andrews says. “I’ve been looking for the next wave, and I think the biologics, particularly stem-cell therapy and enhancement of the healing properties, will be it.”

“We’ve been saying that since the new decade of this new millennium, so we’re already behind.” he concludes.

Finally, Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for orthopedic diseases; you may tap into the unique medicinal properties of the stem cells to help you beat orthopedic conditions. Visit us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Centre at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) an expert in integrative and regenerative medicine will be able to help.

Stem Cell Therapy Used By Pro Athletes to Heal Injuries

PRP And Stem Cells For Facial Rejuvenation Seekers

March 5, 2015

Stem Cell and PRP Presents a Better Choice for Facial Rejuvenation Seekers

Looks are important part of the general appearance. You can dress modestly but still appear like some old zombie and that may affect your confidence levels greatly. But there are ways through which you can retain your confidence levels above the sea level and still look young even as ages pass. One of the ways through which you can regain or better yet maintain good looks and that young face is through facial rejuvenation. Being a new term to many readers, it is surely necessary to begin with it’s meaning; Facial rejuvenation is a cosmetic treatment or series of cosmetic treatments, which can restore a youthful appearance to the human face. Facial rejuvenation can be achieved through either surgical or non-surgical options and at times a facial rejuvenation may include both surgical and non-surgical procedures. The different types of facial rejuvenation vary in invasiveness and depth of treatment. A person will also have to put in consideration the possible side effects that may emanate from facial rejuvenation procedures that they choose. Surgical procedures can restore facial symmetry through targeted procedures and facial restructuring and skin alterations. Non-surgical procedures can target specific depths of facial structures and treat localized facial concerns such as wrinkles, skin laxity, hyperpigmentation and scars. As we age we lose some of the fine facial features, there might be loss of volume and skin integrity and this may result in such problems as; Dehydrated skin, Lip and frown lines, Deep depressions around the nose and mouth, Overall loss of healthy, youthful skin texture and tone, Volume loss in the cheeks, Sagging around the jaw line and even Crow’s feet. Aging is a natural process during which the face may become longer and rectangular as natural beautiful curves begin to deform. However aging process maybe hastened by genetic factors, facial expressions, poor diet and even smoking. Exposure to sunlight may also cause sunburn among other problems to the face.

Facial Rejuvenation

PRP for facial Rejuvenation

There are myriad ways that doctors have put in use before to try to help in facial rejuvenation. Some of these methods may offer temporary solutions but it is also important not to overlook some potential side effects that may emanate from the use of these methods. It is good to note that your body has the power of regeneration and healing of tissue in all parts of your skin including the face. Stem cells do this every day during your life. As stated in earlier articles, Stem cells are unprogrammed cells in the human body that have the ability to shift shape; they can be turned into different cells and used to replace the damaged cells causing problems. It is the ability of the stem cells to differentiate into other types of cells that have gave them the medicinal qualities that doctors are now using in facial rejuvenation as well as in treatment of other diseases. Through the use of stem cell therapy the face cells that have been exposed to oxidative stress resulting into wrinkles can be replaced with healthy ones restoring the natural aesthetic facial curves.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is very practical approach to facial rejuvenation. It involves rejuvenating the skin with your own blood. the effectiveness of the PRP facial rejuvenation is owed to the healing power which platelet have and growth factors in your blood to stimulate the response of stem cells. The procedure works by simply stimulating healing, growth and regeneration in the entire face region. Naturally, platelets have been known to play a critical role in the healing process. Therefore, their introduction to the damaged region triggers the natural healing process. Furthermore, the platelet-rich plasma that is introduced in the region stimulates the activity of stem cells, another important aspect of natural healing and regeneration. The stem cells assist in the formation of new collagen and blood vessels, regeneration and improvement of damaged skin and thus slow down and reverse the signs of aging.

Unlike surgical facial rejuvenation, Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an extract of your own blood that contains three to five times more platelets, growth factors, and active proteins for tissue and injury healing. This in itself reduces the chances of them getting fought by antibodies; PRP is also safer than most surgical facial rejuvenation procedures. The medicinal properties of PRP are well known as it has been used for years now to hasten healing of wounds, repair damaged tendons and ligaments, healing diabetic ulcers and even to hasten the growth of muscles and bones. The PRP is introduced into the skin through injection and it initiates a localized stem cell response that results in production of fibroblasts which are collagen producing cells. These fibroblasts replace the damaged tissues through aging with healthy skin that is rejuvenated.

If you are interested in rejuvenating your face, PRP is a good way to go as it is safe and has few side effects that may last only for a week. These side effects may include mild swelling and bruising. Since the PRP is extracted from your own blood, there is no risk of disease transmission, allergic or immune reaction. As with all cosmetic procedures, however, there are certain health conditions, such as autoimmune and blood disorders, that may limit its use. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD), founder of the AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center Located at Myrtle Beach, North Caroline is an expert in the treatment of degenerative diseases. Call on her for help.

Stem Cell and PRP Presents a Better Choice for Facial Rejuvenation Seekers

Safe Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Diabetes

March 1, 2015

According to a recent WHO report, diabetes is one of the top ten leading causes of death worldwide; in 2012 the global prevalence of diabetes was estimated to be more than 10% among adults. The most prevalent type of diabetes is the type 2 and it is rampant in adult population. It is reported that diabetes is the leading cause of renal failure and blindness in developed countries, a person suffering from diabetes also has high chances of having a limb amputated. The risk of limb amputation is 10 times higher in diabetic patients. It is also known that most diabetic patients develop hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, which account for high rates of morbidity and mortality among adult patients. Most patients receive treatment through oral medication but this is also dangerous since after sometime they become insulin dependent. Oral insulin medication is also not so effective since exogenous insulin cannot provide the tight glycemic control exerted by the pancreas-derived insulin secretion. Due to these myriad problems stem cell therapy can be very useful in replacing the affected cells and restore normal cell function normalizing insulin levels in the long run.

What is autologous stem cell transplant?

The body has stem cells in the bone marrow, in muscle tissues and also in the adipose tissues. These stem cells turn into red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets to help your body stay healthy. However there are situations when the amount of stem cells in the body is not enough to keep you healthy. This may be caused by some diseases like multiple myeloma or by aging. When this happens there will be need for supplementing the amounts of the stem cells so that they can be able to offer protection to your body. This calls for stem cell transplant which may be done by placing healthy stem cells in your body through an IV to restore the normal functions of the stem cells. at times the stem cells may be harvested from outside the body especially from placentas after successful normal delivery, however when this stem cells are sourced from within the body of the patient then it is referred to as autologous stem cell transplant. Autologous stem cell transplant is safer since the cells are from the body and therefore there is no risk of them getting rejected neither to induce unpleasant allergic reaction.

autologous stem cell transplant

How stem cells collected

In autologous stem cell transplants, the doctors use peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. With peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, the stem cells are taken from blood. The growth factor G-CSF may be used to stimulate the growth of new stem cells so they spill over into the blood. G-CSF is a protein that is produced naturally in the body. The blood is removed from a vein and passed through a machine that separates the stem cells. The machine then returns the remaining blood through a needle in the person’s arm or through a central venous catheter. This way of collecting stem cells is called apheresis. In adults, most autologous transplants use stem cells from blood. In a child, the decision whether to use cells from the bone marrow or the blood depends on the size of the child.

Mesenchymal stem cells work best for diabetes

In the past cell based therapy as used in treatment of diabetes began by use of islet transplantation have been successful in providing a source for insulin secreting cells. However this method has had its share of failures and disadvantages that created a vacuum that doctors hoped to be filled by a better cell based therapy. Some of the downs of the islet transplantations included; limited donors, graft rejection, the need for continued immune suppression and exhaustion of the donor cell pool. the search for a more reliable and sustainable source of insulin secreting cells made stem cell therapy a target as a promising alternative for islet transplantation in diabetic patients who fail to control hyperglycemia even with insulin injection. Autologous stem cell transplantation may provide the best outcome for those patients, since autologous cells are readily available and do not entail prolonged hospital stays or sustained immunotoxic therapy. Among autologous adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells therapy has been applied with varying degrees of success in both animal models and in clinical trials.

autologous stem cell transplant Cell-based therapies for diabetes mellitus had achieved lots of success with the application of islet transplantation from cadaveric donors, and the success of the Edmonton protocol back in 1999. Despite the success of islet transplantation in fighting diabetes more so for type 1, there were some drawbacks for example there was need to use immunosuppressive regime so as to favor graft acceptance and prevent rejection. It is with these loopholes that researchers sought to find better treatment with mesenchymal stem cells. Stem cell therapy is a solution to some of the drawbacks of islet transplantation especially the shortage of donors. Autologous stem cell therapy allows for a person’s on organs to be used in the transplant.

In autologous stem cell transplant the most effective mesenchymal stem cells are used to differentiate into insulin producing cells. The mesenchymal stem cells can be harvested in the bone marrows or in the adipose tissues where they are found in plenty. The mesenchymal stem cells have very many advantages when used as they have a high capacity to self-replicate and differentiate to bone and fat-forming cells and other tissue cells. They maintain the capacity of multilineage differentiation potential, both within and across lineage barriers. They are easy to cultivate and expand, and maintain pluripotentiality after prolonged culture conditions. For more information on diabetes, Visit us at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Centre at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) an expert in integrative and regenerative medicine will be able to help.

Safe Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Diabetes

Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Cure

December 29, 2014

Erectile Dysfunction, Causes and Cure

Erectile dysfunction is one problem that has seen even the most masculine men wet pillows with tears behind closed doors. This is a problem that will continue to haunt men if they fail to seek immediate help. Erectile dysfunction also known as impotence refers to a situation when a man can no longer get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Having an erection trouble once in a while is not necessarily a cause for alarm but if erectile dysfunction is an ongoing problem, it will not only cause stress and depression but will also cause relationship problems as well as affect your self-confidence. Erectile dysfunction sounds like failure or weakness to many men. It gives them a feel of inferiority and may go a long way in affecting their way of expressing themselves. Erectile dysfunction affects men even beyond the boundaries of the bedroom as it lowers their self-esteem leaving them with an inferiority disease. In most cases erectile dysfunction is caused by deficiency in the testosterone hormone. Testosterone hormone is majorly produced in the testes and is the hormone that is entirely responsible for sexual drive in a man. Without this hormone any man will not be able to have the urge to have sexual intercourse and even if he was to have sex just out of responsibility he will not be able to achieve an erection that can last long enough to optimally perform the sexual intercourse act. The levels of this hormone however vary with age. As one is aging the levels of this hormone will go down and this is just normal however incase the levels of this hormone are flooring at an early age it can be solved by going for testosterone therapy which may help to restore the normal testosterone levels in a man.

Erectile Dysfunction

Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

To achieve an effective erection that can last long enough to satisfy a woman or long enough for procreation several factors come to play. Male arousal is a very complex process. Here are some of the causes of Erectile Dysfunction.

Stress- this is one of the psychological factors that has been found to cause erectile dysfunction. Sex begins in the brain and so when the brain is worked up clogged by stress then it may become very difficult achieving an erection. Other psychological factors that may cause erectile dysfunction include anxiety and depression.

Low Testosterone Levels

Testosterone is a major cause of hypogonadism. Testosterone is the necessity for a man to be sexually active. When levels of testosterone decline the urge to have sex declines and so is the ability of an erection to last long enough to perform satisfactory sex. Low testosterone levels also causes dump moods which may not have very good effects on a man’s ability to erect. However there are natural ways that can be employed to help restore testosterone levels and resolve the whole problem of erectile dysfunction. One of the ways through which an erectile dysfunction caused by low testosterone levels be solved is going for testosterone replacement therapy.

Other causes of erectile dysfunction include;

Certain prescription medications
Tobacco use
Alcoholism and other forms of substance abuse
Treatments for prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
Heart disease
Clogged blood vessels (atherosclerosis)
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Obesity
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Wounds in the penis

Erectile Dysfunction Testing

There are very many causes of erectile dysfunction and therefore it is important for tests to be done to reveal the cause of the disease before giving any therapy. There are also very many tests that can be done to show the cause and the state of your erectile dysfunction. Some of the tests that can be done include;

Urinalysis-Analysis of urine can provide lots of information, including information on protein, sugar and testosterone levels. Abnormal measurements of these substances can indicate diabetes, kidney disease or a testosterone deficiency, all which can cause ED.

Penile biothesiometry– This test involves the use of electromagnetic vibration to determine sensitivity and nerve function. A decreased sensitivity to these vibrations may indicate nerve damage.

Vasoactive injection– During this test, an erection is produced by injecting special solutions that cause the blood vessels to dilate allowing blood to enter the penis.

Dynamic infusion cavernosometry– This test is used for men with ED who have a venous leak. During this test, fluid is pumped into the penis at a predetermined rate. By measuring the rate at which fluid must be pumped to attain a rigid erection, doctors can determine the severity of the venous leak.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

Just like there are several causes of erectile dysfunction so are the treatments available. However the biggest challenge in treating erectile dysfunction is that most men are ashamed to discuss this issue with their doctors. When that is done the doctor may avail you the best treatment for your situation.

Here are some of treatments;

Penile Implants- penis implants offer a permanent solution to erectile dysfunction. There are more types than you may think. Your doctor will help you choose the best for you.

Erectile Dysfunction Surgery– though not so popular a surgery can help fight erectile dysfunction as it improves the blood flow to the penis hence improving erections.

Nutritional Supplements– there are some nutrients that must be available in the body at good levels so as to make erection last. These minerals may include zinc and calcium. These minerals can be supplemented to help save the situation.

BHRT–Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy can help men regain their youthfulness and sex drive of their 30’s through BHRT. Bio identical Hormone Replacement Therapy restores hormones to physiological levels to support brain, nerves, heart, vessels, skin, bones, and other body’s systems functions for all have hormone receptors.

Find help

Erectile dysfunction can damage your confidence and your relationship. If you are troubled by ED Low testosterone may be the cause, and BHRT may be the cure. To get started with testosterone replacement therapy, please call (843) 213-1480 or contact Dr. Dalal Akoury.

Erectile Dysfunction: Causes and Cure

Court Bans Sick Muslim From Having Sex With One Of His Wives
Sydney teacher accused of sex with student
Drop Your Cholesterol to Help Raise Your (Ahem)

Tag Archives: platelet