Stem Cell Therapy

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cells have the unique ability to develop into many different types of cells. Unlike other cells within the body, they have the ability to self-renew and recreate functional tissues. In regenerative medicine, many musculoskeletal conditions (such as sports injuries) can be treated with adult stem cell procedures to give your body the ability to heal itself naturally.

What types of conditions are treated with stem cell therapy?

Worn down or injured cartilage tissue, tendons, bones, muscles, ligaments and vertebral annular disc cartilage have all been treated with stem cell therapy.

It is often used to treat the following conditions:

Osteoarthritis
Knee cartilage tears
Rotator cuff tears
Partial muscle tears

And partial tendon tears such as:

Tennis elbow
Quadricepts and patellar tendon tears
Plantar fasciitis

Stem cell therapy is recommended when physical therapy has been ineffective at reducing pain and improving function, when you do not wish to be on medication for the long term and/or if your pain is negatively impacting your quality of life.

How does stem cell therapy work?

Stem cell therapy has the ability to neutralize inflammation and promote fast healing. Stem cells are harvested from the patient’s own body and concentrated into a small injectable volume. The cells are then injected directly into the area being treated. Adult stem cells have the ability to grow into any of the body’s more than 200 cell types. This means that they can multiply and repair diseased tissue with normal, healthy tissue.

Is stem cell therapy covered by insurance?

No. While there are currently several publications in peer-reviewed medical journals showing the positive effects of stem cell therapy on tendon, soft tissue, and cartilage injuries, it is still not covered by insurance companies at this time.

How quickly can I get back to my regular routine after stem cell therapy?

You may experience some soreness after your procedure, but it shouldn’t last for more than 24 hours. Patients are usually able to resume normal, non-strenuous activities shortly after their procedure, and resume high intensity sports activities approximately two months after their procedure.

Are there any side effects to stem cell therapy?

The risks associated with stem cell therapy are rare, and include infection, bleeding or nerve damage. There is a very small risk of an allergic reaction.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact West Coast Orthopedics today.

Call us and schedule an appointment today