“Very futuristic. I have actually had it done to myself." -Dr. Gary Walker
Those suffering from osteoarthritis and other neurodegenerative conditions might consider stem-cell injections.
What are stem cells?
A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell—one that does not have a specific function—that is capable of being replicated. There are two different kinds of stem cells: Embryonic and Somatic.
Embryonic: This type of stem cell is found in an embryo. During its first few days of development, scientists can remove cells from the embryo. These cells can be replicated and manipulated to match the cells of any part of the body.
Embryonic stem cell research is extremely controversial. It is not related to the procedures performed at Walker Spine and Sports.
Somatic: Undifferentiated cells, which are also referred to as Adult stem cells, that when injected near a damaged ligament or muscle will divide and begin to reconstruct the affected area. Adult stem cells are found in an individual’s bone marrow. In most cases, a physician will remove marrow from a patient’s hip or from the stomach’s tissue lining to collect the stem cells.
What are stem-cell injections?
The process involves harvesting somatic stem cells and reinjecting them into the patient’s body.
The stem cells are collected using a procedure called bone marrow aspirate, which includes the numbing of the lower back and the careful removal of bone marrow from the hip bone using a needle. After the extraction of the bone marrow, the doctor will separate the stem cells from the remainder of the marrow and inject it into the affected area.
What ailments/conditions might this treatment help?
After consulting with your physician, you might consider stem-cell injections to help relieve pain associated with the following conditions:
- Back and neck pain
- Joint injuries
- Tendon injuries
Are stem-cell injections right for me?
To learn more about how stem-cell injections might help you, speak with the professionals at Walker Spine and Sports Specialists today.