Stem Cell Therapy for back pain. What is it?
Stem cell therapy to treat back pain is the latest innovation in medicine. Stem cells are specialized cells whose main job is to repair and heal. Our stomach lining changes every 7 days and our skin changes every 30 days. Stem cells which are mainly responsible for it. These are the only cells in our bodies that can duplicate and recreate tissues. When we cut our finger or break our bones, Stem cells get activated and orchestrate the repair. Arthritis is a common condition which is very damaging to the spine. Unfortunately, our spine does not have enough stem cells to repair the where the native stem cells are not able to repair the destruction which leads to inflammation and pain. The Stem cell procedure extracts the plentiful stem cells in the iliac bone [back of the hip] where they are lying dormant or inactive. After extraction, they are transferred to the discs and other areas of the spine where “sense” inflammation and get activated. This results in pain relief. How do stem cells work in Back pain and Joint pain? Simple Explanation of a complex mechanism.. Additionally, studies have shown that there is disc regeneration. They also cause “immunomodulation” which means that it prevents the arthritis from getting worse.
Are stem cells an alternative to back surgery?
Back pain is one of the most difficult conditions to treat. This is because traditional medicine which includes drugs, physical therapy and injections has failed to relieve back pain. This leaves the patients with only option. That is surgery. Unfortunately, surgery helps only for a few years or in some cases doesn’t help at all. An extensivereview of all the fusion surgeries done to treat back pain was performed. It revealed that when compared to conservative treatment, fusion surgery was not any better. Moreover, there were more complications reported in the fusion surgery group. In an elegant study done by Dr.Pettine, 76% of patients were able toavoid fusion surgery because they got excellent pain relief from bone marrow stem cell injections. This has been our experience too. Disc is the most common culprit causing low back pain. Fusion is the only surgery that treats it. To get the best results stem cells have to be injected into the disc. We are one of the very few centers performing this procedure in the disc.
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Are stem cells an alternative to back surgery?
Back pain is one of the most difficult conditions to treat. This is because traditional medicine which includes drugs, physical therapy and injections has failed to relieve back pain. This leaves the patients with only option. That is surgery. Unfortunately, surgery helps only for a few years or in some cases doesn’t help at all. An extensivereview of all the fusion surgeries done to treat back pain was performed. It revealed that when compared to conservative treatment, fusion surgery was not any better. Moreover, there were more complications reported in the fusion surgery group. In an elegant study done by Dr.Pettine, 76% of patients were able toavoid fusion surgery because they got excellent pain relief from bone marrow stem cell injections. This has been our experience too. Disc is the most common culprit causing low back pain. Fusion is the only surgery that treats it. To get the best results stem cells have to be injected into the disc. We are one of the very few centers performing this procedure in the disc.
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What are the benefits of the using Stem cell procedure to treat back pain?
It is the most natural way to treat pain. We are using your own cells to heal the inflammation. For the first time in the history of medicine, we are able to treat pain by construction and regeneration. All traditional methods to treat pain including drugs, injections and surgery are destructive. Clinical trials for stem cells therapy for back pain report high percentage of pain relief in high percentage of patients. There is no surgery involved. The whole procedure is done through needles. Mild sedation and generous local anesthesia makes it tolerable. Compared to fusion, the recovery is much simpler. Most importantly, if the stem cell procedure fails, you can always have surgery. However, if you fail surgery, it may be difficult to do the stem cell procedure. Complication rate of this procedure is very minimal. Discitis or infection of the disc is known complication but it is extremely rare. We take all the necessary precautions and beyond to prevent this complication.
How do stem cells work?
Back pain is primarily due to inflammation. When we inject the stem cells, they “sense” the inflammation and get activated. Once they are activated, they secrete many anti-inflammatory proteins. These are the strongest anti-inflammatory agents known to man. More importantly, unlike man-made anti-inflammatory drugs, they do not have any side effects. Once the inflammation gets better, pain relief is obtained. This is the most important reason for getting the stem cell therapy.
Stem cells also cause regeneration of the disc. This regeneration seems more microscopic rather than macroscopic. Inone study, although 81% of patients got pain relief, only 40% showed positive changes on the MRI. Anotherstudy showed that when bone marrow stem cells were injected in the spine, they not only proliferated but also created extra disc tissue implying regeneration.
Stem cells also cause “immunomodulation”. Once your body senses degeneration in the spine, it tends to attack it further. Stem cells by regulating the attacking cells, may prevent further damage in the spine. This can reverse or slow the progression of the disease.
However, the primary reason to get stem cell therapy is for its anti-inflammatory action which provides pain relief. For more details about the mechanism of action of stem cells,click here.
How do stem cells work?
Back pain is primarily due to inflammation. When we inject the stem cells, they “sense” the inflammation and get activated. Once they are activated, they secrete many anti-inflammatory proteins. These are the strongest anti-inflammatory agents known to man. More importantly, unlike man-made anti-inflammatory drugs, they do not have any side effects. Once the inflammation gets better, pain relief is obtained. This is the most important reason for getting the stem cell therapy.
Stem cells also cause regeneration of the disc. This regeneration seems more microscopic rather than macroscopic. Inone study, although 81% of patients got pain relief, only 40% showed positive changes on the MRI. Anotherstudy showed that when bone marrow stem cells were injected in the spine, they not only proliferated but also created extra disc tissue implying regeneration.
Stem cells also cause “immunomodulation”. Once your body senses degeneration in the spine, it tends to attack it further. Stem cells by regulating the attacking cells, may prevent further damage in the spine. This can reverse or slow the progression of the disease.
However, the primary reason to get stem cell therapy is for its anti-inflammatory action which provides pain relief. For more details about the mechanism of action of stem cells,click here.
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What back pain conditions can be treated by stem cells?
The following diagnoses of low back pain can be treated with stem cells.
1.Disc degeneration
2.Disc herniation and protrusion
3.Facet joint arthritis
4.Sacro-iliac joint arthritis
5.Spinal stenosis
Some patients have weakness in the legs from severe nerve compression. These patients require surgery to decompress the nerve and hence are not candidates for surgery. If, patients have nerve compression WITHOUT weakness, they are still candidates for stem cell procedure. Fortunately, Most patients with nerve compression do not have weakness.
What to expect from stem cell therapy for back pain?
On the day of the procedure, you will be given a strong pain killer by mouth followed by sedating medication in the muscle. This will help with the pain and anxiety during the procedure. Antibiotics are given intravenously to prevent infections. Depending on the patient additional sedative medication is given if necessary. The iliac crest [back of the hip] is generously numbed with a local anesthetic. Using a smaller needle, small amount of bone marrow is aspirated at a time until 60 ml [2 ounces] is obtained. The extracted bone marrow is then placed in a concentrating device and 6-10 ml of fluid is collected. This liquid which has a lot of stem cells is then injected into the discs and other areas of the spine very precisely under x-ray guidance. Patient is then discharged after making sure that the patient has tolerated the procedure well. Some patients may have increased pain for 2-3 days after the procedure. Additional strong painkillers are given to tackle this pain. By 1-2 weeks patients original pain begins to subside and by 1-2 months the maximum pain relief is achieved.
Does the procedure have to be repeated?
No. It is a one time procedure. In our experience, most patients do well as we have a special technique to maximise the number of stem cells extracted. Additionally, multiple pain generators are targeted precisely with stem cells.
What are the risks involved with stem cell therapy for back pain?
This is a safe procedure with minimal risks. Some patients have increased pain for 2-3 days after the procedure. Occasionally, this pain may last for 1-2 weeks. We treat this post procedure pain aggressively with painkillers. After the first week, patients start noticing pain relief. It takes about 2 months to get the full benefit from stem cell therapy
Although extremely rare, discitis [infection of disc] is a risk. Dr.Atluri performs this procedure taking meticulous precautions to avoid this complication. Pre-procedure and post procedure antibiotics are given to minimise the risk.
Is stem cell therapy for back pain, the right treatment for you?
If the pain is severe enough that is affecting your lifestyle and if you have failed conservative therapies like medication, physical therapy, etc, you should consider stem cell therapy. If the pain is tolerable or minimal, you are not a candidate. Stem cells “sense” inflammation and get activated. If there is no pain, they will not get activated.
If you are having Chronic pain [pain for more than 6 months] consider stem cell therapy. If pain is less than 6 months, it is preferable to wait and see as pain may get better on its own.
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FAQs
Does stem cell therapy work for lower back pain? ›
What can stem cells do for back pain? There is a specialized treatment known as intradiscal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation, or intradiscal stem cell injections, that scientists have identified as safe and effective in treating the disc degeneration that leads to lower back pain.
How much does stem cell therapy cost for lower back? ›Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain
The cost of a stem cell treatment for back pain, such as a spinal injections or injections for disc regeneration, may range from USD 5,000 to USD 7,000, according to published reports.
The popularity of stem cell treatments has significantly increased, thanks to its high effectiveness and recorded success rates of up to 80%. It is a modern type of regenerative medical treatment that uses a unique biological component called stem cells.
Is stem cell therapy for back pain FDA approved? ›Stem Cells are Not Approved for Orthopaedic Conditions
The FDA states, “Regenerative medicine therapies have not been approved for the treatment of any orthopedic condition, such as osteoarthritis, tendonitis, disc disease, tennis elbow, back pain, hip pain, knee pain, neck pain, or shoulder pain.”
If you suffer from painful disc or facet injury from overuse, trauma, or debilitating conditions like degenerative disc disease or spinal facet disease, you are likely an ideal candidate. Much of the early work in stem cell treatment for back pain has been devoted to chronic injuries.
Does insurance pay for stem cell therapy? ›While Insurance companies generally do not pay for stem cell treatments, they may pay for your consultation with the doctor and other associated costs that are incurred during the procedure.
Does insurance cover stem cell therapy 2022? ›In general, stem cell treatment procedures are paid out-of-pocket by patients, because they are not covered by medical insurance. The cost of platelet rich therapy (PRP), which can be used separately or in conjunction with stem cell therapy, is typically $500-700, but may be as high as $2,000 at some locations.
What are the disadvantages of stem cell therapy? ›- Administration site reactions,
- The ability of cells to move from placement sites and change into inappropriate cell types or multiply,
- Failure of cells to work as expected, and.
- The growth of tumors.
Medicare covers stem cell therapy for FDA-approved treatments, which are typically for hematopoietic stem cell transplants. These are stem cell therapies that promote the growth of healthy blood cells.
What is the average cost of a stem cell injection? ›The cost of stem cell therapy varies depending on the number of injections and the complexity of the treatment. Stem cell therapy can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $6,000 for a single injection. Some patients may require multiple injections which may increase the cost of the treatment to $25,000 or more.
What is the most successful stem cell therapy? ›
The most successful stem cell therapy—bone marrow transplant—has been around for more than 40 years. Johns Hopkins researchers played an integral role in establishing the methods for how bone marrow transplants are done, which you can read about in Human Stem Cells at Johns Hopkins: A Forty Year History.
Which country has the most advanced stem cell therapy? ›| Rank | Country/Territory | Number of clinical trials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 136 |
| 2 | Iran | 65 |
| 3 | South Korea | 40 |
| 4 | Australia | 18 |
Share: Stem cell treatment for knee, back, shoulder, and joint pain can have varying results in terms of how long the pain relief lasts. Several studies using stem cells as a treatment for arthritis have shown lasting results anywhere from six months to several years.
How long does it take for stem cell therapy to work? ›Stem Cell Therapy Can Work in as Little as 2 to 12 Weeks!
Under optimal conditions, a stem cell therapy for one of these types of disorders can work in as little as two to 12 weeks with further pain reduction continuing up to a year or more!
Stem cell procedure utilizes the patient's autologous stem cells to treat the painful and damaged disc. Stem cells reduce spinal disc pain, nerve irritation, and inflammation, thereby enabling to rebuild the disc material.
When can you go back to work after a stem cell transplant? ›Doctors usually suggest allogeneic transplant recipients wait at least 1 year after transplant to go back to work until. That's because takes 9 to 12 months for your immune system to recover. Some people may get their doctor's okay to go back to work sooner.
What diseases can stem cells cure? ›In stem cell transplants, stem cells replace cells damaged by chemotherapy or disease or serve as a way for the donor's immune system to fight some types of cancer and blood-related diseases, such as leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma and multiple myeloma. These transplants use adult stem cells or umbilical cord blood.
Which type of disease might most likely be cured by stem cell transplantation? ›Curing your cancer is often the goal of a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. A cure may be possible for certain cancers, such as some types of leukemia and lymphoma. For other diseases, remission of the cancer is the best possible result.
Why is the FDA against stem cell therapy? ›In the lawsuit, FDA argues that US Stem Cell Clinic LLC's use of stem cells violates the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act because the stem cell tissues are manipulated before being injected into patients, therefore, the product does not qualify for the “same surgical procedure” exemption.
Is stem cell therapy painful? ›Stem cell treatments for back, knee, shoulder or joint pain serve as a perfect alternative to an invasive surgery that would require rehabilitation afterward. Our relatively painless procedure takes only 90 minutes and has far fewer risks and side effects than those associated with a complicated surgery.
Which is better PRP or stem cell therapy? ›
Stem Cell Therapy is a more advanced treatment compared to PRP Therapy. PRP Therapy recruits growth factors in the injured area to aid in healing. Stem Cell Therapy not only does the same thing that PRP offers, which is initiating the body's repair response, it also enhances stem cell activity for regeneration.
What insurance covers stem cells? ›Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans both cover certain types of approved stem cell therapy. Medicare parts A and B, also known as original Medicare, provide coverage for approved stem cell treatments and the associated out-of-pocket costs.
Does stem cell therapy work for bone on bone arthritis? ›Successful stem cell therapies thus far have resulted mostly in pain relief and improvement in function or quality of life. Only a few limited early studies have demonstrated improvement in new cartilage or bone formation needed to cure arthritis.
How much are stem cell injections in Mexico? ›Stem cell therapy cost for ALS, on average in Giostar Mexico, ranges from $8,000.00 USD to $20,000.00 USD, in function of each patient's condition. Pricing highly depends on the preferred clinic location the patient chooses.
Why we should not use stem cells? ›Some opponents of stem cell research argue that it offends human dignity or harms or destroys human life. Proponents argue that easing suffering and disease promotes human dignity and happiness, and that destroying a blastocyst is not the same as taking a human life.
Where is the best place in the world for stem cell therapy? ›Countries like Japan and Singapore are both seen as leaders in stem cell therapies and, though they might not have the outputs of China – are internationally recognized for the work they continue to do in the field.
Why shouldn't we use stem cells? ›Opponents argue that the research is unethical, because deriving the stem cells destroys the blastocyst, an unimplanted human embryo at the sixth to eighth day of development. As Bush declared when he vetoed last year's stem cell bill, the federal government should not support “the taking of innocent human life.”
When will FDA approved stem cell therapy? ›List of FDA approved stem cell therapies in 2022. The formal FDA list of approved drugs made from stem cells is called, appropriately enough, “Approved Cellular and Gene Therapy Products.” The current list is up to date as of June 1, 2022.
Does insurance pay for regenexx? ›Are Regenexx procedures covered by insurance? Regenexx procedures are not covered by insurance at this time. However, Regenexx is the only regenerative orthopedic procedure in America that has insurance coverage through some self-funded employers.
Is regenexx FDA approved? ›Are the Regenexx procedures performed in the U.S. approved by the FDA? No; they are exempt from FDA regulation. Each of the Regenexx procedures available in the United States involves the patient's own bone marrow or blood, and the Regenexx network of doctors only treat musculoskeletal conditions.
What are the pros and cons of stem cell treatment? ›
- Treat Diseases. Stem Cell research has shown great strides in the ability to treat and even cure certain diseases. ...
- Minimal Rejection Risk. ...
- Developmental Studies. ...
- Ethical Concerns. ...
- New Technology. ...
- Limited Regulation.
Currently, the only stem cell treatments approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are products that treat certain cancers and disorders of the blood and immune system.
Can I get stem cell treatment in the US? ›Currently, the only stem cell-based treatment that is routinely reviewed and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is hematopoietic (or blood) stem cell transplantation. It is used to treat patients with cancers and disorders that affect the blood and immune system.
What can you not do after stem cell treatment? ›Avoid any forceful rotation or manual manipulation. Remember that good healing during the first two months after the procedure will give you the best chance for success. The cells are fragile, and you need to be cautious that you don't overload them or cause too much stress or shearing on them.
Who is the leader in stem cell therapy? ›An important reason why Maryland has become a world leader in stem cell therapeutics is due to the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF), which was first established in 2006.
Can stem cells regrow spinal disc? ›Stem cells can be either directly isolated and expanded, or combined with biocompatible carriers (e.g., hydrogels) or transfected with target genes, then injected into the nucleus pulposus of the injured intervertebral disc, potentially leading to disc regeneration.
Can stem cells Fix bulging disc? ›Stem cell procedure utilizes the patient's autologous stem cells to treat the painful and damaged disc. Stem cells reduce spinal disc pain, nerve irritation, and inflammation, thereby enabling to rebuild the disc material.
How long does stem cell therapy last? ›Share: Stem cell treatment for knee, back, shoulder, and joint pain can have varying results in terms of how long the pain relief lasts. Several studies using stem cells as a treatment for arthritis have shown lasting results anywhere from six months to several years.
What country has the best stem cell therapy? ›Countries like Japan and Singapore are both seen as leaders in stem cell therapies and, though they might not have the outputs of China – are internationally recognized for the work they continue to do in the field.
What is the cost of stem cell therapy? ›The average cost of stem cell therapy ranges from under $5,000 to over $25,000, depending the type and sources of the stem cells, the patient's medical condition, and the number of treatments required.
Why shouldn't we use stem cells? ›
Opponents argue that the research is unethical, because deriving the stem cells destroys the blastocyst, an unimplanted human embryo at the sixth to eighth day of development. As Bush declared when he vetoed last year's stem cell bill, the federal government should not support “the taking of innocent human life.”
How painful is stem cell injections? ›Stem cell treatments for back, knee, shoulder or joint pain serve as a perfect alternative to an invasive surgery that would require rehabilitation afterward. Our relatively painless procedure takes only 90 minutes and has far fewer risks and side effects than those associated with a complicated surgery.
How long is hospital stay after stem cell transplant? ›If you need to be in a hospital, you probably won't have to stay longer than 3 weeks. If the stem cells came from another person (allogeneic transplant), you may spend 4 weeks or longer in the hospital.
Can stem cells reverse degenerative disc disease? ›Stem cell therapy for IDD is emerging. For this therapy, stem cells from different sources have been proven in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical trials to relieve pain and symptoms, reverse the degeneration cascade, delay the aging process, maintain the spine shape, and retain mechanical function.
Can a bulging disc be reversed? ›Disc bulge or bulging discs are treatable, reversible & recoverable without injections or surgery. The most effective alternative to disc bulge surgery is the integrative methods of NSD Therapy® through specialized medical devices combined with chiropractic, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation.
Does stem cell therapy work for sciatica? ›Stem cell therapy can eliminate your need for surgery to relieve sciatic nerve compression and requires little downtime or recovery.
How many stem cell treatments are needed? ›Some conditions may respond well with just one stem cell injection, while others may require periodic treatments for maximum benefits. For example, a person seeking stem cell therapy to recover from a sports injury may need one or two injections only, while a person with osteoarthritic damage may need several.
How do you feel after stem cell therapy? ›It usually takes about 2 to 6 weeks to start seeing a steady return to normal blood cell counts. You will be in the hospital for some of this time. During this time, you may feel tired and generally unwell. You are at risk of fever, infection, bleeding, anemia, damage to the organs and dietary problems.
Do stem cell injections wear off? ›After a stem cell therapy procedure, the stem cells injected into the patient will continue to repair in the target area for up to one year. However, this does not mean it will take one full year for the patient to experience relief.