Stem cells are extraordinary — they are basic cells that can multiply into new stem cells or transform into any type of cell the body needs to recover. That’s why they are valuable for healing injuries and aiding recovery after surgery.
At Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Dr. Brian Snow and Dr. Jon Thompson offer a range of treatments, including regenerative medicine therapy. Whether you’ve suffered an ACL injury or have a painful fracture, they offer stem cell therapy as a complementary treatment to other treatments.
Stem cells are essentially the body’s basic or plain cells that can transform into more stem cells or other cells that the body requires. They are very helpful in repairing damage throughout the body, as they can differentiate into various types of cells.
Orthopedic stem cell therapy uses your stem cells to enhance healing. Because they originate from your body, they are entirely safe and unaltered.
We use mesenchymal stem cells, which reside in fat and bone marrow. They can differentiate into various cell types, such as muscle, cartilage, and bone, which is crucial for orthopedic injuries and surgery.
After injecting the cells into the treatment area, they immediately activate the body’s healing process. The result is new, specialized tissue rather than scar tissue, and a quicker recovery.
The first step of stem cell therapy, after we determine you’re a candidate, is the retrieval process. Depending on the injury or surgical procedure, we may take a sample from your hip to obtain bone marrow or fat cells, which can be used to isolate mesenchymal stem cells.
Processing the bone marrow or fat in a lab is the next step. We process the bone marrow or fat in a centrifuge, which separates stem cells, platelets, and other reparative elements.
We load the final sample into a syringe and return it to you. Whether in the office or on the surgical table, we inject the concentrated stem cells and healing agents directly into the treatment area.
The stem cells immediately signal other repair cells in the body to migrate to the injury. They also release growth factors that initiate healing, suppress inflammation, and drive cellular repair.
Stem cell therapy can address a range of orthopedic injuries, but it may not suit everyone. We rarely use it alone — instead, we combine it with surgery or additional treatments like physical therapy and medications to maximize results.
We may suggest stem cell therapy if you’re struggling to heal after an injury or to promote healing after orthopedic surgery. You may be a candidate for regenerative therapy if you have any of the following:
We review the advantages and possible risks of regenerative therapy with you before proceeding. Insurance may not cover the procedure, so this is important to consider.
Stem cell therapy offers many advantages, including faster recovery, generation of specialized tissue, and reduced pain during healing.
If you’re ready to explore the benefits of stem cell therapy, call our McKinney or Prosper, Texas, offices, or contact us through our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson or Dr. Snow. Take the next step toward faster healing and recovery today.
