Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Cartilage Damage | Dr David Greene R3 Stem Cell www.r3stemcell.co
Dr. David Greene R3 Stem Cell discusses the good and nonsurgical treatment options for cartilage damage. He outlines the different types of stem cells available to be used, including adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and embryonic stem cells. Additionally, Dr David Greene R3 stem cell discusses how all three can be used to treat cartilage damage in the knee joint without requiring major surgery that involves bonebreaking and time-consuming recoveries.
David Greene, MD, a world-renowned expert on stem cell research and Regenerative Medicine. I’ve been studying stem cells since 1993 when I was just a third-year medical student in Stanford University’s Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Program. Over my 23-year career as an orthopedic surgeon in Los Angeles, I have performed over 7,000 surgeries using Mesenchymal Precursor Cells (MPC) to treat cartilage damage.
Overview of the Different Types of Stem Cells Available: As Dr. David Greene explains in his R3 Stem Cell video, there are three types of stem cells: embryonic, umbilical cord blood, and adult stem cells. These three are all viable options to treat damaged or diseased tissues in your body. However, each has its advantages and disadvantages. Embryonic stem cells are harvested from a human embryo at an early stage of development; however, harvesting can lead to ethical issues as it destroys human life.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): MSCs are one of three types of stem cells. In terms of research, MSCs have been studied most closely. A variety of places in the body can be used to harvest these cells, including fat, bone marrow, and blood. They’re also called adult stem cells because they come from adults. The advantage of using them is that they aren’t as controversial as embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells (see below). Researchers believe they could help treat conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, and spinal cord injuries by regenerating damaged tissue.
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs): Embryonic stem cells, multipotent adult stem cells, unipotent adult stem cells, and pluripotent adult/embryonic-like stem cells are the four types of stem cells. PSCs can differentiate into cell types in our bodies, just like embryonic stem cells. They have also been safe and effective in treating cartilage damage without surgery! PSCs can be used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) by replacing lost cartilage with new cartilage from a patient’s own body.
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs): ESCs are derived from fertilized embryos. They have unlimited capacity to differentiate into different cell types, but it's not clear that they can actually regrow cartilage (more on that later). Despite claims to the contrary by some biotechnology companies, there's no evidence that ESC-based treatments can help people who've had joint replacement surgery or are suffering from degenerative joint disease.
How to Improve Cartilage with Stem Cells: When it comes to cartilage, time heals all wounds. Unfortunately, as we age or suffer an injury, it’s not always possible to wait months or years for cartilage to grow back. Fortunately, there is a safe—and effective— way to regenerate damaged cartilage with human stem cells that won’t require you to undergo invasive surgery.
Thank You!