Stem Cell Therapy - Performed by Ainsworth Institute

Research on adult stem cells has generated a great deal of excitement. Scientists have found these groundbreaking cells in many more tissues than they once thought possible. Because of this, clinicians and researchers alike have begun to ask if these cells can be used for transplants. Adult hematopoietic, or blood-forming, stem cells from bone marrow have been used in transplants for more than 40 years. If the differentiation of adult stem cells can be controlled or manipulated, then these cells could possibly become the basis of transplantation-based therapies.

Research on adult stem cells dates back to the 1950’s, when researchers discovered that there were at least two kinds of stem cells present in bone marrow. One population, called hematopoietic stem cells, is responsible for forming all the types of blood cells in the body. A second population, called bone marrow stromal stem cells (also called mesenchymal stem cells, or skeletal stem cells by some), were discovered a few years later. This second population of stem cells makes up a small proportion of the stromal cell population in the bone marrow, and can generate bone, cartilage, fat, cells that support the formation of blood, and fibrous connective tissue.

In the 1960s, scientists studying rats discovered regions of the brain containing dividing cells that ultimately became nerve cells. This finding came contrary to popular belief that the adult brain was incapable of generating new nerve cells. It was not until the 1990s that scientists agreed that the adult brain does contain stem cells able to generate the brain’s major cell types.

As with any medical or surgical procedure, there is always a risk of potential complication. In the case of stem cell therapy, the risks are associated with harvesting and delivering. There may be irritation or pain during extraction for the harvesting phase. During the delivery phase, there is a small risk of infection (as with any injection procedure).

The most important thing to address before considering stem cell therapy is that many painful conditions can adequately treated through established treatment methods – some involving surgery while others more conservative. Stem cell therapy, while effective in many cases, is still considered experimental. The Ainsworth Institute recommends this particular treatment modality be pursued only after conservative treatments have been exhausted (physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and rest). As with anything considered experimental, results may vary and not every patient will have success.

Research on stem cells has been ongoing for over 50 years. Over the last 10 to 15 years, our understanding of stem cells has grown by leaps and bounds. Most research had been devoted to embryonic stem cells. Now, many scientists have shifted their focus to adult stem cells – Mesenchymal or Stromal rather than embryonic. These cells appear to be “smarter,” more durable, and less controversial. Publications to date have yielded promising results suggesting regeneration of damaged tissues and joints is possible, thus reducing pain and improving function.[1-3]

[1] Centeno CJ, Busse D, Kisiday J, et al D. “Regeneration of meniscus cartilage in a knee treated with percutaneously implanted autologous mesenchymal stem cells”. Med. Hypotheses. 2008;71: 900–8[2] Centeno CJ, Busse D, Kisiday J, et al. “Increased knee cartilage volume in degenerative joint disease using percutaneously implanted, autologous mesenchymal stem cells”. Pain Physician. 2008;11: 343–53.[3] Wakitani S, Nawata M, Tensho K, et al. “Repair of articular cartilage defects in the patello-femoral joint with autologous bone marrow mesenchymal cell transplantation: three case reports involving nine defects in five knees”. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2007;1: 74–9.