Stem Cell Therapy for Pain

Pain is a worldwide problem, affecting people in both industrialized, as well as developing, countries. It’s the second most common reason for doctors’ visits in the United States alone, with the majority of American pain sufferers complaining of joint and back pain that is either acute or chronic. Indeed, up to 20% of U.S. citizens deal with persistent pain, making it an enormous burden not only for those suffering with it, but for medical providers, employers, caregivers and more; chronic pain impacts drug use, mobility, mental health and perceived quality of life for pain sufferers, but it also demands valuable time and money from the people who care for, employ and love them. There’s much evidence to suggest that here and around the globe, pain — particularly musculoskeletal pain —  is one of the world’s biggest issues.

Of course, pain is not a new problem, but it is a worsening one. We are living longer, exposing our bones and joints to more wear and tear and more trauma; consequently, we are more likely to experience disease, injury and the natural degeneration of soft tissue that so often culminates in acute and then chronic pain sensation. As pain issues continue to cause more people to experience longer episodes of pain, researchers have begun focusing on alternative treatment options. This is beneficial in many ways. It is helping to diminish the use of opioids as a pain treatment measure, and it is also uncovering ways to prolong symptom relief. One of the most promising new pain treatments is stem cell therapy. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about using stem cells to treat orthopedic pain.

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Pain is classified in multiple ways. It can be acute, lasting less than six months, or chronic, persisting for more than six months. Acute orthopedic pain stems mostly from traumatic injuries, such as sprains, strains and fractures, while chronic orthopedic pain usually results from joint overuse and natural degeneration that occur over time. Both are common among orthopedic patients and can be typically ascribed to one or more root cause:

Tissue Damage

Most orthopedic pain results from an injury to the body’s bones or soft tissues. Sometimes the injury is the result of a disease (such as cancer or diabetes), and sometimes it is the result of trauma (such as a broken bone). However, tissues also naturally degrade over time, sparking a mechanical malfunction and/or an inflammatory response (such as osteoarthritis) that frequently results in nociceptive pain, as well.

Nerve Damage

Orthopedic pain can also result from nerve damage. Degeneration, disease and trauma can cause a bone to compress a nearby nerve, precipitating neuropathic pain that can be severe and especially disabling.

Inflammation

As mentioned, inflammation is often a secondary feature of any type of bodily damage and, as such, can be considered a third source of orthopedic pain. When tissues are damaged in some way (either by disease, injury or natural degeneration), the body releases chemicals that initiate a series of events: First, they signal the release of fluid that collects in the damaged tissue, causing swelling and serving to insulate and protect the tissue from further destruction. Second, they trigger phagocytosis, the process by which dead and damaged cells are removed from the affected tissue by white blood cells. And third, they stimulate nerves to send out pain signals, warning us to take care of the damaged part of our body.

History of Stem Cell Therapy

The use of stem cells to treat disease dates back over 70 years. Early applications involved their use as a cancer treatment, but today, continued and extensive study has validated the use of stem cells as a potential treatment for a host of other issues, as well: type 1 diabetes, nervous system diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, immunodeficiency disorders and musculoskeletal issues are just a few. In fact, research has so progressed that many of the hitherto theoretical uses for stem cells are now becoming commonplace in clinical practice; such is the case with using stem cell therapy to treat orthopedic damage, degeneration and disease. It’s an exciting time, not just for researchers and clinicians, but for patients, too, as now stem cells can be used in a significantly less traumatic way than that demonstrated by their previous utilization (i.e., stem cell transplants).

Stem cells are cells that are able to develop into many different kinds of cells. They are present in the earliest stages of development (when embryos are just beginning to form specific tissues), but they also exist in adult bodies, where they aid in cellular homeostasis, repairing and regenerating certain cells in order to maintain maximum cellular function. The ability that some adult stem cells have to differentiate into certain types of cells, no matter their origin, makes them excellent candidates for use as an orthopedic pain treatment. Their inherent regenerative nature means they are primed to potentially repair and regrow cells no matter their original location; stem cells can be harvested from one part of the body, injected into another and actually grow cells like those surrounding their new location!

Research shows that stem cell therapy for orthopedic pain works by facilitating the expression of anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic signals that consequently produce an environment that is conducive to wound healing and tissue regeneration. The result: The potential for tissue repair and most importantly significant reductions in pain in the majority of patients treated.

Via Signals

Upon arriving in damaged tissue, stem cells transmit paracrine signals. Paracrines are chemicals that stimulate surrounding, native cells to repair tissue damage themselves. Stem cells also secrete cytokines, growth factors and other proteins that work to reduce inflammation, speed healing and inhibit cell death within damaged tissue. As wounds heal, inflammation is reduced and pain diminishes.

Via Differentiation

Not unexpectedly, stem cells are also able to differentiate into new cells, thereby replacing damaged tissue that doesn’t have the ability to repair or replicate itself. New cells restore function to tissues, enabling them to work properly again. This, in and of itself, reduces pain sensation.

Via Fusion

The specific combination of mesenchymal stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, PRP and growth factors used here at ThriveMD has been shown to aid in cellular communication and accelerate wound healing by increasing blood flow, improving blood coagulation and providing a scaffolding of fibrin on which new cells can more easily attach to form new tissue. New tissue provides structural support, thereby alleviating pain.

• Degenerative Disc Disease 
• Spinal Facet Dysfunction
• Herniated Discs
• Sciatica
• ACL Tears

• Joint and Soft Tissue Issues (especially those in the Knees, Shoulders, Wrists, Ankles, Hands, Feet and Hips)
• Tendonitis 
• Tennis Elbow

Many providers now offer it. However, not all stem cell clinics provide the same level of care. If you or someone you love has an orthopedic condition that causes pain, you need to research your options, asking questions that ensure you receive safe and effective medical care.

ThriveMD is Colorado’s premier authority on stem cell treatments for orthopedic pain.

Our medical director, Dr. Brandt, has extensive training in interventional pain management and stem cell therapy. He remains active with current research opportunities and follows developments in the field of regenerative medicine, presenting at conferences, workshops and seminars around the country. His clinical expertise has contributed to the safety and efficacy of novel medical devices and resulted in medical technology patents. With his guidance, our patients receive a superior level of care. Unlike many clinics, we use live image guidance and a proven combination of biologics so that our patients have the best chances for lasting pain relief. To learn if stem cell therapy might be an option for your own orthopedic pain or that of a loved one’s, please contact us. 

In addition, please review some of the latest research regarding the efficacy of using stem cell therapy to treat many types of orthopedic conditions here, as well as multiple patient testimonials here.