HEALTH Profile
STEM CELLS:
Nature’s Way of Triggering the Body’s Repair Mechanism By Cynthia Burns, Photos by Dan Epstein
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or more than 9 years Thomas Agesen, MD, Gerard Malanga, MD and Jay Bowen, DO at New Jersey Regenerative Institute have been using stem cell therapy and other non-surgical strategies to treat osteoarthritic conditions. Here, Dr. Agesen explains harvesting stem cells and using them to repair bone, joint and cartilage damage.
Why is stem cell therapy a viable treatment option? People are looking for alternatives to traditional surgical approaches. Stem cell therapy is used to repair injuries to soft tissue caused by excessive athletic activities, repetitive motions or injuries. Patients with acute or chronic injuries have exhausted the gamut of other non-surgical treatments. We can treat muscle and joint injuries, bone and cartilage damage and tendon issues nonsurgically, which reduces discomfort and recuperation time.
How does it work? A stem cell’s job is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Stem cell therapy triggers the body’s own repair mechanism. Cells collected from bone marrow can generate bone and cartilage activity. Other procedures use fat cells, adipose tissue, support the formation of blood and connective tissue. There is no need for general anesthesia or conscious sedation. A specialized x-ray machine, fluoroscopy, identifies the precise area
(Left-right) Thomas Agesen, MD & Jay E. Bowen, DO for the doctor to draw the cells from bone marrow. Low suction lipoaspiration or liposuction collects cells from adipose tissue that can be processed and injected . We use ultrasound and/or x-ray guidance to precisely re-inject the cells into areas that have been injured.
What is the recuperation period? It is a lot less than surgery! Patients generally are restricted to low impact activities for about a month. The goal is to build up gradually to higher impact activities.
How many treatments are required? Most patients require only one. However, if the injury is severe, additional treatments may be necessary.
What is the success rate? Success is not based on a percentage, but rather, outcome studies. Most patients improve in symptom relief. One way to measure success is the WOMAC scale, a standardized measurement of functional capacity for patients with osteoarthritis. We have an outcomes database that our patients participate in. Overall, if a patient is a good candidate, we have a high success rate.
New Jersey Regenerative Institute Amy Kaslander, Lab Director
197 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls | 973-998-8309 www.prolo.org. May 2017
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