Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Therapy

The process is simple enough: withdraw adult stem cells from a patient,  specifically place them using image guidance into the damaged tissue of the same patient in an effort to stimulate the repair and/or regeneration of diseased, decayed and injured tissues.

Adult stem cells should not be confused with embryonic stem cells, however. Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells are present in developed bodies (infants, children and adults) and can be harvested for medical use without damaging organs or arresting development in any way. They are the backbone of regenerative medicine, with research verifying additional ways to use them every day. Take a look at what we believe to be the pros and cons of stem cell therapy:

Pros of Stem Cell Therapy

Of course, ThriveMD supports stem cell therapy and knows that its advantages far outnumber any questions regarding its efficacy. The pros of stem cell therapy include:

• It’s Safe – First and foremost, stem cell therapy is safe. The stem cells used in any regenerative stem cell treatment here in our office are autologous, meaning they are taken from and put back into a patient’s own body. There is no chance of rejection and little chance for infection since the entire procedure is minimally-invasive using only needle aspiration and injection and possibly liposuction, performed under the strictest of sterile technique.
• It’s Effective – Research verifies the capacity for stem cells to repair and regenerate healthy tissue. It also shows that stem cell therapy can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. thousands of patients have undergone these procedures at thriveMD with excellent results.
  
• It’s Convenient – Unlike rest, surgery, physical therapy and other traditional treatments for many orthopedic conditions (such as osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, facet joint injuries, etc.), stem cell therapy is a same day procedure with a quick recovery. Stem cell therapy is an in-office procedure suite treatment, lasting just a few hours. Patients walk unassisted from their appointments to recuperate at home for one or two days, at which time they usually return to normal day-to-day activities, only forgoing especially strenuous exercise for an additional four to six weeks. Typical pain relief and alleviation of other symptoms begins within 2-12 weeks with maximal improvement often achieved in six months to a year.
• It’s Unique – Also unlike other traditional treatments for orthopedic problems — mainly surgery and medication — stem cell therapy is the only treatment option with the potential to physically repair and regenerate tissue.

The Cons

When considering the pros and cons of stem cell therapy, you might wonder what the concerns would be. At ThriveMD, we can only think of one:

• Misinformation Regarding Stem Cell Therapy for Orthopedic Conditions – Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation regarding stem cell therapy, particularly when it involves the potential treatment of orthopedic degeneration, injury and disease. Because of this, patients might have trouble locating and trusting valid scientific evidence. The good news is ThriveMD can help; we are always available to review resources and evidence with patients, highlighting the pros and cons of stem cell therapy as it pertains to their own unique situations so that they are able to choose the right treatment with the best chances for success.

Want to Learn More?

Please contact our office to learn more about the pros and cons of stem cell therapy. While we believe stem cells are a valid component in the treatment of many types of conditions, we know that no single procedure is right in all circumstances or for all patients. We carefully review all our patients’ histories and always administer the necessary tests to determine the most relevant and helpful options to recommend.