Everyone wants to live for a healthy life span and ideally never get old. You can stay healthier while aging, however we can not yet stop the aging process. So it’s up to us to understand what steps we need to take during this time. Of course, I am talking about specific actions that we can take, and not unexpected health issues or bad luck with our genetics.
Stem cell treatments are relatively new but gaining fast in popularity, yet still quite a controversial subject. They were originally discovered in 1908 by the Russian histologist Alexander Maksimov, who first proposed the existence of stem cells while discussing blood cell formation. It is still one of the most promising revolutions in modern medicine, offering a potential solution to even some otherwise untreatable conditions.
Damaged tissues or cells can open the door to a wide range of diseases and health problems, such as joint and sports injuries. Stem cells are already in almost every tissue of the body and handle maintenance of the tissue as well as repair after injury. They are also unique in that they have the ability to develop into different types of cells in the body. And they are even able to make more cells, to self-renew. Therapy involves the use of stem cells to repair or regenerate damaged tissues in the body.
Stem cells can be classified into two categories. Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) are pluripotent stem cells derived from early-stage embryos. They have the potential to become any type of cell in the body, making them highly versatile. Adult Stem Cells (ASCs) on the other hand are found in various tissues of the body, such as bone marrow and fat. Although they are more limited than embryonic stem cells they can still differentiate into specific types of cells, depending on their source.
Stem cell therapy can involve the transplantation of these cells into damaged tissues, where they can either differentiate into the needed cell types or secrete factors that aid tissue repair.
Stem cell therapy for sports injuries and joint pain has gained significant attention in both medical research and sports medicine such as knee osteoarthritis, rotator cuff injuries and tendon and ligament healing. The different types of stem cells that can be used in sports medicine and joint pain treatment include bone marrow derived stem cells which are harvested from the patient’s bone marrow, typically from the hip, and are rich in mesenchymal stem cells. They can differentiate into cartilage, bone, and other tissues. Another type are adipose (fat) derived stem cells. Fat tissue contains a high concentration of mesenchymal stem cells and these are often harvested via liposuction and then injected into the damaged tissue or joint. This type of stem cell is often used in sports injuries and joint regeneration. Also, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), while not a true stem cell therapy, is often combined with stem cell treatments to enhance healing. PRP involves concentrating platelets from the patient’s blood and injecting them into the injured area to stimulate tissue repair.
The FDA does consider stem cell therapy still in an experimental stage and has not yet approved it. In addition, it can be expensive and finding the correct hospital and doctor can be challenging. For this reason, many people actually travel to other countries to get treatment. However, even though it is not yet FDA approved, there are still many places in the US that do practice stem cell treatment.
Ultimately, stem cells offer hope for many people to avoid surgery, get relief from pain and heal injuries. As research continues to evolve, stem cell therapy could become a standard treatment for both athletes and any individuals suffering from chronic joint pain, helping them regain mobility, reduce discomfort, and improve their quality of life. It’s very important though to take all of the considerations seriously and consult with a professional who specializes in this therapy, ideally getting a few different opinions as well so you can discuss the best approach for your specific condition.
Resources:
National Institutes of Health. “Stem Cell Basics”. https://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/stc-basics
Mayo Clinic. “Stem cells: What they are and what they do”. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells and Exosomes”. https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/consumer-alert-regenerative-medicine-products-including-stem-cells-and-exosomes
ScienceDirect. “Histologist”. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/histologist
National Library of Medicine. “U.S. National Football League Athletes Seeking Unproven Stem Cell Treatments”. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4236032/
