Stem cell which is the main source of all cells and tissues in our body has the ability to divide and rejuvenate itself. They can provide a source to special cells such as muscle, nerve, blood cells, reproduce damages tissue and provide old function. Cells are also injured and die after a disease or trauma. Stem cells are responsible to repair the damaged cells and produce new cells instead of the dead ones. There are effective in regular and healthy functioning of the body and when they are divided, they can produce their own or different types of cells.
A stem cell has been researched and developed for long years thanks to its rejuvenation, reproduction and repair features. The aim is to obtain the stem cell having repair ability, to transform it into another part of the body and repair the damage.
In this direction, it is started to be with the stem cells in the bone marrow in the 1960s and continues to be used with scientific researches today.
While one out of 10,000 cells is stem cell in newborn, number of stem cells decreases by age.
Stem cell treatment is used in many age-related problems. As well as repairing the organ and tissues, it is used in a wide range of areas from increasing the energy in the cell to reduce the inflammation.
Diseases for which Stem Cell Treatment is Used
The stem cell which is used or tried for many purposes is used mostly in orthopedics. In orthopedics, it is preferred for osteoarthritis of the knee, hip osteoarthritis, muscle injuries, ligament ruptures, waist and neck diseases, and rheumatismal diseases.
Stem Cell Treatment for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis
Stem cells are present in bone marrow, fat tissue and the synovial membrane surrounding the joint. In osteoarthritis of knee treatment, it is obtained from abdominal fat and sometimes from bone marrow. Reproduced stem cells are injected into treatment area. Obtaining, reproducing and injection processes are carried out in the same session. With this procedure, it is aimed to transform the stem cells into new cartilage cells.
Today, the areas in which stem cell is used is getting wider with the new researches.
How is stem cell therapy applied?
Stem cells are applied to the patient in two ways. The first of them is injection method directly intraarticular. With this method, it is aimed to reach the stem cells to the damaged area. Another method is that it is placed on the carriers in shape of cover called matrix and applied to the damaged area with surgical procedures. This matrix can be obtained from animal collagen or made from synthetic polymers which can be absorbed in the body by time. It is aimed to treat the damaged area by placing the stem cells on the matrix and enable them transform to cartilage cells.
Questions and Answers
What is a stem cell?
The stem cell is the only cell that can transform into every cell. It is the main cell that is present in many tissues in human body and does not change. When necessary, it is stimulated to transform every cell of the body and it can provide repair.
How does the stem cell treat the tissues?
Thrombocyte cells in the blood send an alarm to the body when they get out of the vein. Stem cells stimulated with the alarm transform to the normal tissue and provide recovery. Stem cell therapy is based on the principle that the body is taken from the parts of the body where stem cells are intense (bone marrow and intra-abdominal fat) are given to the area where the treatment is intended.
What is the stem cell used for?
Stem cell repairs the tissues which are difficult to treat, expedites blood flow and revive the aged tissue.
How many times is the stem cell applied?
For many diseases, one session of stem cell treatment is sufficient. As the development is not completed yet, the number of sessions and application forms continue to be determined by physicians who are experts in the field.
Are stem cells and PRP same?
Stem cells and PRP are different applications. With PRP, it is aimed to provide treatment with the platelet-rich part of the blood. Platelet calls the stem cell to the damaged area in case of an injury. Even though there are two different applications, both of them are effective in joint treatments.
For more information about PRP, you can read the PRP treatment article.
