Apr 29, 2024
We are pleased to announce that San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group physicians, Dr. Christopher Rogers and Dr. Mary Ambach were first in the US to publish on the safety and efficacy of a GMP-manufactured stem cell product for patients with osteoarthritis. 1 This FDA / IRB approved study was sponsored by Personalized Stem Cells (PSC), a leader in stem cell research for orthopedic conditions. 2
Patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis who had not responded to standard medical care were treated with PSC-01, an autologous, adipose-derived cell product, also known as stromal vascular fraction.
Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is obtained from a patient’s own adipose tissue (fat) using a simple in-office procedure. Prior clinical trials outside the United States have shown that SVF therapy is safe and effective for knee osteoarthritis. In several clinical trials, adipose-derived cells have demonstrated a superior ability to reduce pain, improve function and promote cartilage regeneration than bone-marrow derived cells. 3, 4, 5
In this clinical trial, the treatment was shown to be safe, well-tolerated and effective. Most of the subjects had been advised to consider joint replacement surgery, however at one year follow-up, 79% were satisfied and able to avoid surgery altogether. In addition, a single treatment was shown to decrease pain, increase function and improve quality of life for up to 2.5 years.
Treatments that use a patient’s own cells represent an exciting advancement in the field of orthopedic regenerative medicine. SDOMG and PSC are committed to the responsible development of medical products that use a patient’s own cells to safely decrease pain and improve function. While SVF products require FDA approval, this treatment offers real hope to all patients who suffer with joint pain.
To learn more about your current treatment options for orthopedic conditions, please schedule a consultation with one of our physicians today:
San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group
6125 Pasel Del Norte, Suite 100
Carlsbad, CA 92011
(760) 909-2355
https://sdomg.com
[email protected]
REFERENCES
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11036882/pdf/scd.2024.0008.pdf
- https://personalizedstemcells.com
- https://www.thekneejournal.com/article/S0968-0160(21)00192-7/abstract
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/03635465211014500
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/03635465211053893
Apr 16, 2020
Safe and Effective Stem Cell Therapy
Osteoarthritis causes joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and can lead to a debilitating chronic condition. Standard treatments of physical therapy and anti-inflammatories are limited at times in controlling symptoms and improving function. The good news for patients with osteoarthritis is that there are regenerative treatment options, like stem cell therapy, to reduce pain and stimulate healing. These therapies offer a viable alternative to major surgery that requires prolonged rehabilitation. It provides hope for an improved quality of life without the risks associated with joint replacement surgery.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine is a new medical specialty that uses advancements in the study of cells and tissue engineering to understand how the body heals itself.
By using the unique healing qualities of your own cells, regenerative treatments can stimulate healing, reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Some of these therapies may even prevent the progression of joint arthritis.
Stem cell therapies using a patient’s own bone marrow or minimally manipulated adipose tissue have been shown to be safe and effective in treating osteoarthritis and other orthopedic conditions. These treatments are compliant with current FDA regulatory guidelines.
However, stem cell based products that contain umbilical cord blood, amniotic tissue cells or exosomes have unproven claims on their safety and efficacy. They require FDA approval of a Biologics License Application before they are allowed to be marketed to patients.
What Can You Expect from Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is performed on an out-patient basis and do not require anesthesia. Unlike invasive joint replacement surgery, they do not demand a lengthy recovery time or extensive physical therapy following treatment. These minimally-invasive treatments are performed using advanced image guidance such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy (digital x-ray). The procedure typically takes less than a couple hours to complete and patients can return to their daily activities after their treatment. Light activities are typically recommended for a few days.
Studies show that stem cell therapy derived from bone marrow concentrate improved pain and function significantly better than exercise therapy or hyaluronic acid (gel) therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Another study shows that stem cell therapy from fat and bone marrow tissues resulted in significant clinical improvements in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
More published scientific studies for orthopedic applications can be found at www.sdomg.com/fat and www.sdomg.com/bma.
Drs. Christopher J. Rogers and Mary A. Ambach of San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group are experts and leaders in the field of regenerative medicine. They are the leading providers in San Diego who offer the most advanced regenerative treatments available for orthopedic conditions.