Orthopedic Care of the Mature Athlete
The established practice leading to a diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis is based on evidence of joint pain and/or reduced space between articulating bone surfaces on X-Ray. That loss of space in the radiograph is attributed to thinning of opposing articular cartilages in your knee. New evidence however, indicates that multiple tissues composing the knee joint appear to be compromised by the disease, including the subchondral bone (bone below and supporting cartilage), articluar cartilage, the meniscus, the anterior cruciate ligament, the synovium, and the synovial fluid. A change in any of these tissues can influence load across the joint, with corresponding adaptations in the other tissues and ultimately, the cartilages. (Taken from “On the Horizon from the ORS). I `believe it important to provide continual explanation about how Regenerative Medicine works, it isn’t only fish oil. We are continuing to learn more and more about the world of Regenerative Medicine and the reason for the effectiveness of bone marrow concentrate and why BMC is proving so affective in dealing with the musculoskeletal system. It isn’t only attributable to the Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cell.
I have a fracture and it won’t heal
Let me introduce you to another component within Bone Marrow Aspirate, the Endothelial Progenitor Cell. EPCs can be defined as bone marrow-derived precursor cells with the ability to differentiate into endothelial cells and to participate in the formation of new blood vessels. Recent research indicates that Mesenchymal Stem Cells “talk” to Endothelial Progenitor Cells. It seems that in fracture repair, the synergistic effect of EPCs and MSCs is crucial for complete bone regeneration. Positive effects of Endothelial Progenitor therapy have been demonstrated in ligament tissue regeneration, as well. Regenexx has demonstrated several cases of effecting healing of a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament using Bone Marrow Concentrate. It may well be that the Endothelial Progenitor Cells are responsible for new blood vessels and a resultant favorable environment. Delayed healing of fractures (delayed union) and a failure of healing (non-union) can be devastating to an individual. If you are that patient, ask your orthopedic surgeon about A Novel Cell-based therapy in Orthopedic Surgery: Endothelial Progenitor Cells. The bone marrow is aspirated and concentrated and then injected into the fracture site using a minimal invasive needle technique. If you are directed to surgery instead, give me a call.
Did you see that NFL Monday night Football Game? Stem Cells won that game! More about this next week.
Tags: Fracture, Orthopedic Surgeon, Osteoarthritis