Stem cell therapy for arthritis and other degenerative joint conditions is available from the orthopaedic experts at Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group. Recent advances in regenerative medicine have created innovative, non-surgical treatment possibilities for patients who have attempted other conservative options without success. At Tampa Orthopaedic, our Board-certified physicians treat patients from Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and the surrounding Florida areas.
In essence, stem cell treatments for arthritis utilize a patient’s own stem cells to attempt to facilitate joint repair by enhancing the body’s natural healing capabilities. Stem cells are uniquely suited for this purpose for two main reasons:
- Stem cells are capable of renewing themselves through cell division.
- Under certain conditions, unspecialized stem cells can sometimes be induced to take on the characteristics of other types of tissue- or organ-specific cells with specialized functions.
The primary role of adult stem cells is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. As one example, stem cells that reside in bone marrow regularly divide to repair and replace damaged tissue. During a procedure performed at Tampa Orthopaedic or the Tampa Bay Surgery Center in Tampa, FL, stem cells can be derived from a patient’s bone marrow or adipose tissue, centrifuged, and then injected into an arthritic joint. Because the stem cells come from a patient’s own body, any risk of rejection, infection, and other complications is minimized. Furthermore, unlike the controversial use of embryonic stem cells, there is no debate surrounding the use of adult stem cells. The results of stem cell treatment for arthritis will vary among individuals.
To date, no scientific studies have confirmed that stem cell therapy is effective for treating arthritis or restoring damaged tissue. As research continues and knowledge advances, more will be understood about the unique properties of stem cells and their potential uses in reparative medicine and other applications.
If a degenerative joint condition is affecting your lifestyle, and you would like to learn more about the potential of regenerative medicine and stem cell treatment for arthritis, contact Tampa Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group today. Our Board-certified physicians provide innovative stem cell treatments to patients throughout Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and other nearby FL communities. We also proudly serve as team physicians for some of the area’s most renowned sports teams – Dr. Daniel Murphy for the New York Yankees, and Dr. Arnold Ramirez for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
