The term "Stem Cell Therapy" is often seen as allusive, confusing, and misunderstood. We are here to tell you that it doesn't have to be!
Stem Cell Therapy, or more accurately "Orthobiologics", is the term which represents treatments used to stimulate healing. Through these treatments, your body has the tools to promote new tissue growth, decrease pain and improve function. Orthobiologics are natural treatments - meaning they do not use foreign chemicals, but rather your own cells. Ongoing research studies, education and clinical experience are paving the way of the future for orthobiologics.
At Kephart Integrative Medicine, we offer two different forms of Cell Therapy: Fat Derived Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Aspirate Therapy. Both are effective and are used in the management of our patients. These treatments signal the natural cascade of repair inherent in our joints and injured tissue. Clinical trials are building a case for the ability of orthobiologics to promote healing and regenerate tissue.
Learn more about each type of Cell Therapy:
Fat-Derived Cell Therapy
Fat Derived Cells are a form of signaling cells used in regenerative medicine. Fat Cells contain many supportive and reparative cells that help to promote a healing environment throughout the body.
Has potential to improve:
- Joint pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone death (osteonecrosis)
- Bone fractures that have not healed
- Cartilage tears ( meniscus)
- Degenerative cartilage
- Tendon injuries (tendinopathy)
Fat tissue is abundant in signaling cells and the collection process is minimally invasive. Fat tissue can be collected through a small incision in the skin, typically abdomen or flanks. We first anesthetize the skin with local anesthetic. Then, the tissue is collected with FDA-approved lipoaspirate devices to process and preserve the fat’s cell and tissue microarchitecture. The end result is an injectable tissue product full of regenerative capabilities.
Once the fat tissue product is produced it can be safely transferred back into the patient’s body. This process can be done in the outpatient office procedure room with minimal discomfort in 1.5 – 2 hours. A treatment and rehabilitative plan will be formulated for each specific case prior to treatment.
What Can Fat Cell Therapy Help With?
Research has shown that regardless of age, a person’s fat, which is referred to as Fat Tissue, maintains certain healing and reparative properties. Fat Tissue contains a high concentration of specialized cells called peri-vascular cells or pericytes. Pericytes have the ability to aid in the support, reconstruction, and repair of injured or damaged tissues. Pericytes are known to react at a site of injury and promote a reparative environment. The natural repair mechanism occurs by communicating with local tissues to aid in healing.
Fat Derived Cell Therapy Can Help Treat:
- Joint pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone death (osteonecrosis)
- Bone fractures that have not healed
- Cartilage tears ( meniscus)
- Degenerative cartilage
- Tendon injuries (tendinopathy)
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) uses signaling cells that are collected from your own bone marrow to help the body heal itself. These cells, when injected directly into an injured site, prompt an efficient restoration of the tissue, returning it to a healthier state by stimulating the body’s natural healing response.
Bone marrow is the part of the body where blood is produced. Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) is collected from a large bone such as the pelvic bone. This type of therapy has been shown to promote bone and soft tissue healing as well as reduce pain related to injuries, osteoarthritis, and tendonitis.
BMAC can help treat:
- Joint pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone death (osteonecrosis)
- Bone fractures that have not healed
- Cartilage tears ( meniscus)
- Degenerative cartilage
- Tendon injuries (tendinopathy)
The process is simple. Bone marrow can be collected in an outpatient office with local anesthetic and medication to minimize anxiety and discomfort during the procedure. The physician anesthetizes the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle and periosteum (bone cortex). A small incision is then made in the skin and a specialized needle is used to access the bone marrow space. Then, the bone marrow aspirate is collected through a series of aspirations and redirected needle placements.
The entire process will be completed in the outpatient office procedure suite and usually takes about two hours.
What Happens Once it's Collected?
Once collected, the bone marrow aspirate goes through a centrifugation process to produce an injectable product of BMAC. The purpose of the centrifuge is to separate the regenerative components to generate a powerful concentrate which can promote healing.
BMAC is then introduced at the site of injury using imaging guidance to ensure proper placement. Immediately following the injection, the BMAC causes a release of cellular growth factors which can trigger the body’s healing response. This is all made possible by the signaling cells within the Bone Marrow.
BMAC has the potential to heal using autologous cells which means the chance for rejection or disease transmission is essential nonexistent.
How Will I Feel After?
- There will be no specific restrictions following the procedure but a specific rehab and treatment plan for each individual case will be formulated and discussed prior to the injection.
- You may experience an “achy” soreness at the site of the injury in the hours and days following the injection. The effect can last for several days, gradually decreasing as healing and tissue repair occurs.
- Make sure to treat your injection site area with care, just as you would with any injury.
- Avoid icing the treated area for two weeks.
- Most patients begin noticing improvement four to eight weeks following the procedure.
What's included:
- Personalized treatment plan
- One-on-one visits with ample time for discussion
- Bloodwork and procedures are performed at our comfortable, state-of-the-art facility
- Education on regenerative treatments, exercise prescription, wellness, hormones, and diet
- High-quality hormone therapy, cell therapy & PRP injections
- An extensively educated and trained team specializing in BHRT & Orthobiologics
We are located in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and serve patients living in the Tri-State Area.
Contact Us
References
Micro-fragmented adipose tissue injection associates with arthroscopic procedures in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Cattaneo G, et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2018.
Autologous micro-fragmented adipose tissue for the treatment of diffuse degenerative knee osteoarthritis: an update at 3 year follow-up. Russo A, et al. J Exp Orthop. 2018.
Treatment of osteoarthritis with autologous and microfragmented adipose tissue. Barfod KW, et al. Dan Med J. 2019.
Stem cell therapy for the treatment of hip osteonecrosis: a 30 year review of progress. Hernigou P, et al. Clin Ortho Surg. 2016.
Combined Bone marrow aspirate and platelet rich plasma for cartilage repair: two year clinical results. Here K, et al. Cartilage. 2019.
Concentrated bone marrow aspirate for the treatment of chondral injuries and osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review of outcomes. Chahla J, et al. Ortho J Sports Med. 2016.
