Stem Cell Therapy for Spine Arthritis - Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy for Spine Arthritis Abroad

Spine Arthritis or Osteoarthritis of the spine is a breakdown of the cartilage of the joints and discs in the neck and lower back. Sometimes this medical condition produces spurs that put pressure on the nerves leaving the spinal column, causing weakness and pain in the arms or legs.

For people younger than age 45, osteoarthritis is more common among men, but after age 45, osteoarthritis is more common among women. Osteoarthritis occurs more often among people who are overweight. It also occurs more frequently in those who have jobs or do sports that put repetitive stress on certain joints.

The best way to confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis is by X-ray. The doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam to see if the person has pain, tenderness, loss of motion involving the neck or lower back, or if symptoms are suggestive, signs of nerve involvement such as weakness, reflex changes, or loss of sensation.

Causes

Spine Arthritis usually occurs due to internal damage to the facet joints. The surfaces of the facet joints are lined with smooth cartilage to allow for movement as the two sides of the joint rub against one another. However, the joint can become painful through the following process:

• When the cartilage on one side gets chipped, torn, or damaged then every time the spine moves the injured cartilage gouges its neighbor, causing further injury.
• Damage to the joint which results in friction, and ultimately inflammation.
• The combination of the muscle spasm and inflammation of the joints causes low back pain.

Symptoms

Spine Arthritis may cause stiffness or pain in the neck or back. It may also cause weakness or numbness in the legs or arms if it is severe enough to affect spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself. Usually, the back discomfort is relieved when the person is lying down. Some people experience little interference with the activities of their lives. Others become more severely disabled.

In addition to the physical effects, a person with Spine Arthritis might also experience social and emotional problems. For instance, a person with osteoarthritis that hinders daily activities and job performance might feel depressed or helpless.

Treatment

Stem cell therapy for Spine Arthritis works by using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Off late, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been more focused towards cartilage tissue repair and regeneration.

There are two different approaches towards using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cartilage repair and regeneration and they are:

1. The first approach is ex vivo cartilage tissue engineering. As a part of this process, a replacement tissue has to be constructed in vitro using mesenchymal stem cells combined with scaffold under an appropriate environmental stimulus.

2. The second approach is called as in vivo cartilage regeneration. This is a complete mesenchymal stem cell therapy where the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of MSCs are utilized. As a part of the procedure, MSCs are first expanded and then injected locally into the joint affected by Rheumatoid arthritis. The mesenchymal stem cells can also be applied systematically. Due to their highly potential regenerative abilities, the MSCs influence the microenvironment and thus aid in the regeneration of the damaged cartilage.

In either approaches of stem cell therapy, mesenchymal stem cells don’t always work alone. There are several growth factors that play a vital role in making MSCs highly functional and effective. Some of the growth factors include insulin-like growth factors, platelet-derived growth factor, members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) super-family, fibroblast growth factors, and Wnt proteins.

Among these growth factors, one of the most active and key factor is bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Bone morphogenetic proteins or BMP is considered to be a group of growth factors that are often known as metabologens and cytokines.  They are considered to be the most potent inducers that promote chondrogenesis (process of cartilage development) of MSCs. Bone morphogenetic proteins are hence considered integral to the stem cell therapy as their involvement in cartilage development can be a standalone process or in association with other growth factors that primarily aid in enhancing chondrogenic differentiation of MSC stem cells. 

 Benefits

• Stem cells could turn into cartilage cells and regenerate the disc, thereby alleviating disc-related back pain
• Stem cells can block the cells that are literally eating away at the joint
• Stem cells release many helpful growth factors for the joint, essentially becoming tiny little medicine factories.
• Stem cells can hijack the helpful protein making ability of other cells, getting them to become tiny little medicine factories.
• Stem cells can revive the batteries (mitochondria) of dying cells by transferring some of their good batteries to the troubled cell. 
• Stem cells can morph into cell types that are needed in the arthritic joint, a process called differentiation.

Cost

The Stem Cell for Spine Arthritis costs depend on the geographical location of the facility.  The procedure is not performed widely, and is available at only a handful of medical facilities around the world, and by a handful of surgeons, so costs can be high, and may or may not be covered by medical insurance. You should also make sure you choose a Stem Cell specialist with experience and expertise in this procedure, working in a GMP/GDP certified clinic.

Doctors

Many facilities worldwide offer stem cell therapy, but it's important to locate accredited and experienced physicians who deal with stem cell treatments. Doctors specializing in spine degenerative disease should be trained, certified and accredited through country of origin or international accreditation and certification boards and should also belong to organizations or associations of their specialty.

Check references and resources to determine whether physicians or specialists are trained, experienced and accredited with stem cell therapy treatments with his or her country of origin and that facilities provide state-of the art technology and equipment and have a well maintained, trained and educated staff.

For more information about the Stem CellTherapy for Spine Arthritis and information about the best clinics offering the procedure, please contact us!