Musculoskeletal Care of the Mature Patient
Presidential candidate and Governor of Texas, Rick Perry received stem cells for back pain earlier this year at the University of Texas Medical School. Soon the U.S. Government will begin to stockpile injectable doses of stem cells around the United States because the government is convinced that mesenchymal stem cells treat the kind of systemic inflammatory responses that occur due to radiation exposure. The reason this matters is because the underlying etiology of radiation sickness is almost identical to the underlying cause of inflammatory arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
So let me update you about the Five Stem Cell Companies that are poised to make the biggest splash in orthopedics.
Mesoblast Limited– Currently conducting clinical trials for fusion of the cervical spine; successfully completed a pilot trial for non-healing, long bone fractures in legs; reported exceptional results of a preclinical cartilage trial which showed knee joints damaged by osteoarthritis can be prevented from further deteriorating and actually regenerate and re-grow cartilage; showed that adult mesenchymal stem cells can dramatically reverse the degenerative process, re-grow disc cartilage and normalize the disc anatomy and function
RNL BIO Co, Ltd.- The Company used via the University of Texas Medical School for treating Governor Perry’s back problem and his own orthopedic surgeon’s autoimmune arthritis. Courtesy of the Gov., stem cell therapy for treating back pain or, indeed any other procedure, has been thrust into a presidential campaign spotlight
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.- Three years ago, the Department of Defense gave a $224.7 million contract to Osiris for its adult mesenchymal stem cell therapy as a countermeasure to nuclear terrorism and radiological emergencies. MSCs are stimulated by biochemical stimuli and move through the blood stream to points of inflammation coordinating healing and tissue regeneration at the point of injury by producing growth factors, blocking inflammation and reducing scarring.
SpineSmith (aka Celling Technologies)-Most sales are to surgeons performing lumbar or cervical fusions although clinical studies are underway with their bone marrow concentrate in musculoskeletal trauma at the knee and shoulder.
Aastrom Biosciences, Inc.-The company is testing its stem cell product in Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) and the prevention of amputation. So far, very encouraging results when contrasted against placebos.
I am not an expert in anything other than orthopedic surgery so please be advised this Blog is informational without endorsement. I do believe though that stem cells will continue to play an important role in the future of health care in the U.S.