StemCell Therapy

When a joint develops osteoarthritis, some of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually roughens and becomes thin, and the bone underneath thickens.

According to Arthritis Research UK, over eight million people in the UK suffer from osteoarthritis - a condition perceived as only a disorder that affects the elderly.

However, now experts have revealed body fat can help treat bone joint conditions, including osteoarthritis.

A new device gently suctions, processes and uses a patient's own fat tissue to provide a potential source of stem cells and growth factors to promote healing.

Experts said it could help people who cant easily move their joints.

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Fat has long been used for support of tissue repair and replacement

Orthopedic physicians at a US medial centre are the first sports medicine specialists in the area to offer treatment with the device, called Lipogems, used at the time of arthroscopic surgery.

The FDA - the food and drug administration in the US approved Lipogems for use in November 2016.

"The technology is ideal for patients with certain orthopedic conditions, such as painful joints - including the knee, ankle or shoulder - with limited range of motion, said Dr Brian Cole, professor of orthopedic surgery and section head of the Rush Cartilage Restoration Center at Rush University Medical Centre.

Additionally, it can be used in soft tissue defects located in tendons, ligaments, and/or muscles to improve the biologic environment," he said.

"Fat has long been used for support of tissue repair and replacement.

"Fat has the ability to be a source of important cells which produce important proteins involved with healing and reduction in inflammation."

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During the process, fat cells are taken from the abdomen or thigh while the patient is sedated with a local anaesthetic.

The Lipogem procedure rinses and cleans inflammatory oils and blood from the harvested fat and keeps the beneficial properties of the fat tissue, which is injected into the injured site.

The entire procedure from harvesting to the injection is completed in less than 30 minutes.

The fat tissue tends to remain in the area where it is injected instead of being immediately reabsorbed by the body, allowing the body to maximise the benefits of the injection for an extended period of time.

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Following injection, the tissue promotes healing and symptom reduction as early as three weeks after treatment.

The treatment can be used when standard options - such as steroid injections or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs dont provide enough relief.

It offers benefits for people who are unable to get surgery, would like an alternative to surgery, or it can be used in conjunction with their surgery, Dr Cole said.

We are excited to be offering this alternative to our patients and are conducting ongoing basic science and clinical research trials on patients with knee arthritis and other conditions to investigate the role of stem cells and growth factors that are present in the small blood vessels in fat.

Visit link:
Arthritis cure on horizon - THIS unusual treatment can ease symptoms - Express.co.uk

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