Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis – pro
Northern California Stem Cell Treatment Center is dedicated to the sue of autologous tissues and materials in the treatment of disease. Among its treatments is collection of stem cells and then injecting it into osteoarthritic areas. Such stem cell based therapies are promising but not yet standard allopathic treatment and belong in the area of alternative medicine. Significant questions remain in defining the use of stem cells in the treatment of osteoarthritis: what type of stem cell should be used, what’s the most effective manipulation of these cells, how many cells are required, what carrier should be used, and most importantly, what is the optimal treatment protocol, including the timing of cell treatment relative to the disease state? Finally, the overriding remaining issue is a complete understanding of the mechanism of mesenchymal stem cell function. Notwithstanding these issues, an understanding is emerging of how mesenchymal stem cells may be used in the treatment of tissue deficiencies in the musculoskeletal system. Stem cells in an undifferentiated state have significant trophic and immunomodulatory capabilities and can be used in treatment protocols that take advantage of these properties – it is just not yet known how! Future basic and applied research will delineate the principles of both approaches and their applicability to clinical problems.
Ali Mobasheri et al, Chondrocyte and mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies for cartilage repair in osteoarthritis and related orthopaedic conditions. Maturita July 2014 Volume 78, Issue 3, Pages 188–198
Victor M. Goldberg et al, Stem Cells in Osteoarthritis. HSS J. 2012 Feb; 8(1): 59–61.