Stem cell joint therapy administered by Dr. Daniel Murphy, a Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, and Dr. Arnold Ramirez, a Board-certified sports medicine physician, at Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center, offers certain patients a possible avenue to relief from the debilitating pain that often accompanies joint degeneration. In keeping with our mission to provide innovative and effective treatments for conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, we are pleased to offer stem cell procedures to patients in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding Florida areas.
The term “stem cell joint treatment” sometimes sparks controversy. However, the ongoing debate centers on the use of embryonic stem cells. At the Tampa Orthopaedic clinic in Tampa, FL, we use mesenchymal stem cells exclusively. These cells are derived from an adult patient’s own bone marrow or adipose tissue, and then injected in concentrated form into a damaged joint, such as a:
- Shoulder
- Knee
- Hip
Stem cell joint therapy can sometimes facilitate healing through the body’s natural repair mechanisms and delay the need for joint replacement surgery (although it does not make a patient ineligible for future surgery, should that become necessary). Additionally, mesenchymal stem cells pose a very low risk of serious adverse effects, and treatment generally involves minimal recovery. Afterward, a patient is encouraged to utilize the joint normally. Since stem cell treatment is generally safe, it can be repeated if necessary to achieve optimal results.
Prospective patients should be aware that the use of stem cells is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and studies performed to date are inconclusive regarding its ability to restore damaged tissue. As research continues, more will be learned about stem cells and their potential uses in reparative medicine.
If you would like more information about stem cell joint therapy, please contact Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center. We treat athletes, individuals with chronic joint pain, and everyone in between in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding FL communities.
