For hip, shoulder and knee pain, degenerative or rheumatoid arthritis, sports injuries, and tendonitis, amniotic stem cell therapy represents a modern approach to effective, nonoperative tissue repair and pain relief. This treatment offers an effective alternative to potentially risky surgery.
Researchers have discovered that amniotic fluid has a high concentration of growth factors, exosomes, secretomes, stem cells and mRNA, which is more than adult bone marrow. The material is obtained ethically and processed at an FDA regulated facility.
Amniotic fluid stem cells play a major role in the body’s healing process. These cells receive signals from the body (inflammatory signals) and are directed to the area of damage in the body. Stem cells can transform into the same type of cell that was injured, including bones, tendons, tissues, and ligaments. Stem cell therapy delivered in high concentration will promote natural healing.
The stem cell therapy procedure is simple, taking only around 15 minutes. The doctor first often numbs the region using lidocaine. Then, the procedure needle is inserted using fluoroscopy or ultrasound (x-ray guidance) to assure correct placement. Then, the amniotic fluid derived stem cells are injected into the joint or damaged body region. After the needle is removed, a dry bandage is applied.
For systemic conditions, the amniotic derived fluid is administered by IV infusion.
Candidates for amniotic fluid stem cell therapy include anyone who has:
You should attempt normal activity following stem cell therapy, with a 24 hour period of very light activity. In addition, range of motion activity is encouraged. For an extremely active person, we advise rest with only normal activity (walking, sitting, stair climbing) for a few weeks after the procedure. Expect to have some soreness at the injection site, which will improve after a few days.
Basically, the post-procedure restrictions are minimal!
Amniotic derived stem cell therapy has been studied in both musculoskeletal and system indications, with excellent results being seen to date. This includes for knee arthritis, tendonitis, shoulder injuries and organ failure.
Several clinical studies show that amniotic stem cells have the potential to differentiate into cardiac cells. In one study, after co-culturing and mixing cells in the laboratory, the researchers injected rat subjects with the solution. They found that the stem cells formed cardiac-like cells. Injection of amniotic stem cells improved function of cardiac tissue and left ventricle function.
Other studies have shown that amniotic stem cells could differentiate into renal (kidney) cells). In addition, the stem cells contributed to early kidney structures, such as mature nephrons in animal studies. Researchers also found that these stem cells slowed the progression of the kidney disease Alport syndrome.
Since the amniotic stem cells come from donated amniotic fluid obtained during cesarean section, there is zero-risk to the unborn child. The fluid is usually discarded after birth. After the amniotic fluid is separated from the placenta, it is tested for various genetic abnormalities and processed at an FDA regulated lab.
Many reports show that amniotic fluid stem cells are useful for treating wounds, corneal injury, spine conditions, and tendon tears. Amniotic stem cell injections have been used well over 10,000 times in the U.S. with no adverse reactions.
Resources
De Coppi P & Morigi M (2014). Cell Therapy for Kidney Injury: Different Options and Mechanisms – Mesenchymal and Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells. Nephron Exp Nephrol 126: 59–63.
Hsu LW, Yeh YC, Lee WY, et al. (2010). Cardiac repair with injectable cell sheet fragments of human amniotic fluid stem cells in an immune-suppressed rat model. Biomaterials 31: 6444–6453.
Sedrakyan S, et al. (2012). Injection of amniotic fluid stem cells delays progression of renal fibrosis. J Am Soc Nephrol 23: 661–673.
Call R3 Stem Cell Centers today to find out more about how amniotic regenerative medicine therapy can assist you!