We live in an exciting time for technology and medicine. Things that once seemed like science fiction are happening, and it’s all because of mesenchymal stem cells. Results of studies and research have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are successfully being used to regenerate cartilage and bone. Stem Cell Carolina is here to share information on MSCs in today’s blog.
Learn more from our stem cell therapy office in Charlotte, and look into regenerative medicine for your future medical treatments! This promising medical development has given countless patients the relief they’ve long been searching for. Contact us to get started.
The Risks of Surgery
An estimated one million people end up being hospitalized due to bone fractures. One of the most common responses to fractures has been surgery. Surgery proves to be effective in treating fractures, but not without risks.
As an article from Texas A&M mentions, “The risks associated with surgery include… pain, swelling, nerve injury, rejection of bone graft, extended hospitalization, multiple donor sites leading to increased morbidity and significant grant resorption.” Surgery can have complex effects and lead to further issues, even if the initial fracture is successfully treated.
MSCs: A Safer Alternative
Using MSCs as stem cell therapy has become a new, but relatively preferred way to treat bone fractures. As stated in the Texas A&M report, “Mesenchymal stem cells are a great alternative option for cartilage and bone repair.”
How Do They Work?
MSCs are most commonly derived from either bone marrow or umbilical cords. However, the aforementioned study shows that umbilical cord-derived MSCs are better suited for cartilage and bone regeneration, and much of this comes from being more hypoimmunogenic.
If the body feels like it’s being attacked, it will elicit an immune response — anyone who gets seasonal allergies knows exactly what an immune response can feel like. When injecting stem cells into the body, it’s important to use cells that will be accepted without triggering a response (or feeling like the body’s under attack).
Because the umbilical cord loses its purpose after birth, these specific MSCs have shown to be more accepted by the body. Bone marrow-derived MSCs are still being used, so it can throw the body into a slight sense of confusion. But regardless of the harvesting location, the risks are wholly minimized when treating fractures with stem cell therapy instead of surgery, which is much more invasive and could have more negative effects.
If you have further questions about stem cell therapy and how it could help your life, we at Stem Cell Carolina are more than happy to provide additional information. It’s fascinating to live in a time where we’re learning so much about stem cell therapy and are able to see its immense potential firsthand. You can be at the forefront of medical advancements, all the while finally experiencing relief from pain. Contact our team at Stem Cell Carolina to set up an initial, risk-free consultation.
