Stem Cell Injections
- Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cells possess remarkable regenerative potential, differentiating into multiple cell types. Stem cells are either embryonic in origin or adult stem cells derived from either Bone marrow or adipose tissue. Bone marrow-derived stem cells exhibit superior differentiation capacity and are preferred for musculoskeletal applications, although adipose tissue contains larger number of stem cells. Bone marrow is usually aspirated from the posterior superior iliac spine and once aspirated the mesenchymal stem cells present in the bone marrow are separated from the cellular components such as red and white blood cells and plasma, through centrifugation or filtration. After isolation, the MSC’s are placed in culture medium that provides the necessary nutrients and growth factors to support their proliferation and multiplication.
Cells are then intubated under controlled conditions to promote the growth and expansion of cell lines. Ideally MSC’s count of 50 million is considered optimal for a stem cell Injection. Clinical applications of stem cells in musculoskeletal system are mainly for treatment of knee osteo-arthritis or for chondral defects, although they can be used for any musculoskeletal Injury, though the availability and costs become a serious constraint in their clinical use in India at present. Currently in India we have now commercial availablity of allogenic stem cells i.e stem cells which are grown from another donor and devoid of antibodies so can be injected into another patient. Main use right now if for osteoarthritis of Knee joint and for non surgical treatment of chondral defects.