The Future in Now in Stem Cell Therapy In San Antonio

THE STEM CELL ORTHOPEDIC INSTITUTE OF TEXAS at the medical center in San Antonio offers STEM CELL and PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) Therapies to help individuals suffering from joint pain, joint and tendon degeneration, and soft tissue injuries.  STEM CELL injections are a great alternative to prevent or delay elective orthopedic surgery, which may involve joint replacement or fusion.

With Stem Cell therapy, patients may be able to avoid a lengthy post-operative period, an invasive procedure, and a lengthy rehabilitation as well as risks associated with surgery.

Our doctors, specifically Drs. Hirsch and Hall, have made tremendous advances to make tissue regeneration with Adult Stem Cells a reality. Through what we call, “Regenerative Medicine,” a patient can take advantage of their body’s ability to heal itself by using their own ADULT STEM CELLS that are found throughout the body. STEM CELLS can restore lost, damaged or aging cells and effectively regenerate tissue in the body. This treatment may provide the patient with an alternative to surgery for certain treatments.

Regenerative therapies involving autologous ADULT STEM CELLS are beginning to show promise in Orthopedic Medicine, Pain Medicine, Rheumatology and nerve regeneration.  Drs. Hirsch and Hall completed an in-house, 15-patient unpublished study with STEM CELLS and the results are very promising for patients who received pain relief and a return to the activities of daily living.

Is STEM CELL Therapy Right for You?

You may be a candidate for STEM CELL Therapy. Call (210) 293-3136 today to schedule your medical evaluation. Courteous Patient Advocates will answer your questions.

Autologous ADULT STEM CELLS are used to treat many types of chronic pain and orthopedic injuries to joints, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

THE STEM CELL ORTHOPEDIC INSTITUTE OF TEXAS offers Regenerative Medicine treatments for specific degenerative and inflammatory conditions of the:

1. Hip
2. Knee
3. Shoulder
4. Low Back
5. Hand/Wrist.
6. Foot/Ankle.

WHAT IS PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP)?

PRP Therapy uses a portion of the patient’s own blood having a platelet concentration above baseline to promote healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints, can be applied to various musculoskeletal problems.

The platelets are best known for their importance in clotting blood. However, platelets also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are very important in the healing of injuries. PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood.

PRP injections are prepared from one to a few tubes of the patient’s own blood with strict aseptic technique. After being centrifuged, the activated platelets are injected into the abnormal tissue, releasing growth factors that recruit and increase the proliferation of reparative cells. Ultrasound imaging may or may not be used to guide the injection.

Several clinical studies have demonstrated that PRP injections have improved function and decreased pain to various maladies, including – but not limited to – elbow, wrist, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle tendonosis. Early work is also showing promise for osteoarthritis.

Because the patient’s own blood is used, there are very few side effects. Drs. Hirsh and Hall have used PRP injections to successfully treat many patients.

Would you benefit from Stem Cell Therapy or PRP Injections ? Call (210) 293-3136 today to schedule your medical evaluation.

This Article Originally Appeared on stemcellorthopedicinstituteoftexas.com

Making your Stem Cells work for you

The Stem Cell Orthopedic Institute of Texas offers stem cell and platelet rich plasma (PRP) procedures as viable alternatives for individuals suffering from joint pain, joint and tendon degeneration, and soft tissue injury. Stem cell injections may prevent or delay elective orthopedic surgery (joint replacement or fusion). The patient may therefore avoid a lengthy post-operative period, an invasive procedure, and a lengthy rehabilitation.

Scientists and doctors have made tremendous advances to make tissue regeneration (with stem cells) a reality. Through Regenerative Medicine, a person can take advantage of their body’s ability to heal itself by using their own adult stem cells that can be found throughout the body. Stem cells can restore lost, damaged or aging cells and effectively regenerate tissue in the body. This may provide the patient an alternative to surgery for certain treatments. Regenerative therapies involving autologous adult stem cells are beginning to show promise in Orthopedic Medicine, Pain Medicine, Rheumatology and nerve regeneration, etc.

The Doctors at The Stem Cell Orthopedic Institute of Texas (Dr. David Hirsch, Dr. Ajeya Joshi and Dr. John Hall) provide regenerative medicine alternatives including stem cell and platelet rich plasma (PRP) procedures for individuals suffering from joint pain, joint and tendon degeneration, and soft tissue injury. Stem cell injections may prevent or delay elective orthopedic surgery (joint replacement or fusion). The patient may therefore avoid a lengthy post-operative period, an invasive procedure, and a prolonged rehabilitation.

For many years Dr. Hirsch has been utilizing ultrasound guided injections as the state of the art technique to inject patients’ joints, tendon sheaths and nerves. He has many hours of advanced training in musculoskeletal ultrasound in order to provide the most effective, precise and economical injection techniques. Dr. Hirsch has combined the utilization of stem cell injections for pain and regenerative capabilities with the specificity of utilizing ultrasound to deliver cells to the exact intended location. Dr. Hirsch and Dr. Hall just completed an in-house, fifteen patient unpublished study with stem cells with very promising results for pain relief and activities of daily living.

Dr. Hirsch is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He earned his specialty degree (D.O.) from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. He earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (School of Osteopathic Medicine) in 1987. He attained a full scholarship for medical school through the United States military (Army). He later served in his specialty at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his military obligation as a Major in rank in 1994. He is a Fellow in EMG’s and nerve conduction studies called Electrodiagnostic Medicine from the American Academy of Neuromuscular Medicine. His Electrodiagnostic lab at South Texas Spinal Clinic is one of only two Board Certified EMG Labs in San Antonio. He is a Diplomate from the American Academy of Pain Management. He has a special interest in ultrasound medicine for both diagnostics and pain procedures. He is a member of AIUM (American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine). Ultrasound guided injections are an effective way to deliver medicines (Stem Cell Therapy, Plasma Rich Plasma or cortisone) into the affected joint, bursa, tendon sheath, muscle or disc space.

John Hall, D.O. is excited to offer regenerative stem cell therapy to his patients in a safe and affordable environment along with other forms of spine and joint pain therapies. He is a Board Certified anesthesiologist with the American Board of Anesthesiology and has almost twenty years of experience in pain medicine in the San Antonio, Texas. In addition to being very involved in outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing, he continuously is expanding his fund of knowledge in cutting edge pain therapies through continuing medical education. He is very proud to offer his patients the leading edge in regenerative therapy utilizing platelet rich plasma and stem cells for degenerative diseases of the spine and joints. All of our therapies utilize either fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate and safe placement of both stem cells and platelet rich plasma. He is one of but a handful of physicians that have been utilizing ultrasound guidance for several years to accurately guide his injections as well as limit the patient’s exposure to x-rays from other imaging modalities. He is a member of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Association of Pain Management in Ultrasound, World Institute of Pain, The North American Neuromodulation Society, the American Board of Anesthesiology and the Mind Science Foundation. He attended medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and completed his residency in Anesthesiology at the Western Reserve Care System in Ohio. He is a native of San Antonio and has been providing cutting edge therapy in San Antonio, Texas since 1996.

Originally from Lexington, Massachusetts, Dr. Joshi specializes in spinal disorders. He graduated Dartmouth College summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Biochemistry. Dr. Joshi graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed his orthopaedic training in the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program. He then completed a comprehensive fellowship in spinal surgery disorders at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Joshi’s special clinical interests include cervical spine care, pediatric and adult spinal deformity, and minimally invasive strategies, as well as the use of regenerative medicine strategies in healing orthopaedic and spinal injuries. Dr. Joshi is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Is Stem Cell Therapy Right for You? You may be a candidate for Stem Cell Therapy.

Call (210) 293-3136 today to schedule your medical evaluation. Courteous Patient Advocates are standing by to answer your questions. Also visit online at: www.stemcellortho.com

This Article Originally Appeared on stemcellorthopedicinstituteoftexas.com

MEDICATION, REPLACEMENT OR THERAPY?

Comparing Joint Pain Solutions

Thanks to modern medicine, we are living longer than ever! Everyone wants to live a long, happy life but longevity does have some downsides. Arthritis impacts nearly half of all seniors. When it becomes serious, joint pain can impact your whole day and even put you in danger. Given this, it’s not surprising that the American Association of Hip And Knee Surgeons predicts, by 2030, there will be 500,000 hip replacements and 3 million knee replacements every year.

Joint pain can be treated in numerous ways. Each option has pros and cons.

PAIN MEDICATION

Depending on the severity of your joint pain, it may be manageable with medication. Reducing inflammation can relieve some joint pain. Supplements and creams are available over the counter that may relieve arthritis pain. For more serious pains, your doctor may prescribe stronger prescription medications.

Pain medication can help you maintain your normal activities. However, masking the pain does not correct the underlying issue. If your arthritis remains minor, then pain medication is a cheap, simple solution but worsening joint pain may require you to explore alternate options.

JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

When common activities at home and work become difficult or impossible to maintain because of joint pain, a total joint replacement can greatly increase your health and quality of life. While all surgeries have risks, hip and knee replacements are common, very successful surgeries.

During a hip replacement, a surgeon removes the joint that has arthritis and is causing pain. Then an artificial joint takes its place.

A knee replacement is similar. A surgeon removes the damaged surface of knee joint to get rid of the damaged bone. Then, the knee is resurfaced with a prosthesis made of metal and plastic. Generally speaking, there are three parts: the tibial component, the femoral component, and the patellar component.

While these are very well understood surgeries, joint replacements, like all surgeries, have risks. Blood clots, fracture, infection, and dislocation are some of the risks to keep in mind before choosing a surgical option. The surgery itself may cause mild to moderate pain, and nausea can be caused by the combination of pain medication and stress.

Successful joint replacements will decrease pain in the long term and improve mobility. Most people recover from surgery in six weeks and are pain-free within a year. Artificial joints usually last over 20 years, although younger, more active people may wear it out faster. Follow up visits are important to ensure the artificial joint works in the long term.

STEM CELL THERAPY

If your arthritis is too severe for pain medication to handle but you are not comfortable with the risks, recovery time or maintenance involved with a joint replacement, stem cell therapy may be your best bet!

Stem cell treatment takes adult stem cells from your bone marrow and injects them into a damaged joint. Stem cells are your body’s way of replacing and repairing damaged cells naturally. By targeting your body’s natural healing process to a specific location, doctors can repair old damage from arthritis. Unlike pain medication, stem cell therapy treats the root cause of your pain.

Stem cell injections are minimally invasive. Patients do not need to spend the night in the hospital and you usually need only one or two injection cycles. Some patients experience mild pain for two or three days at the injection site. Ice can help reduce inflammation and can bring relief to these slight pains.

The recovery time is also incredibly short. Stem cell treatment is done on an outpatient basis. You rest for the first two days and restrict yourself to general use for the first two weeks. Cardio activities are safe after three weeks and, after 4 weeks, weightlifting and running are permitted.

If your arthritis pain is too extreme for pain medication and you would prefer to avoid a major surgery, call us at (210) 293-3136 to start your treatment!

This Article originally appeared on stemcellorthopedicinstituteoftexas.com

What Is Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment?

Regenerative medicine is becoming increasingly a more popular for patients looking for pain reduction, tissue healing, tissue repair, or bone regeneration. Theoretically, there is no limit to the types of diseases that could be treated with options like stem cell treatment and platelet rich plasma. So far, scientists have discovered stem cell treatments for the following conditions:

• Osteoarthritis
• Hip Pain
• Knee Pain
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Rotator Cuff Tear

Along with the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine, platelet rich plasma is becoming a viable and more affordable treatment.

What Is Platelet Rich Plasma?

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment that involves concentrating a small volume of blood plasma through a centrifuge to produce high potency platelets. These platelets are rich in growth factors that help in pain reduction, tissue healing, tissue repair, and bone regeneration.

Commonly treated areas using platelet rich plasma include:

• Shoulder (Rotator Cuff Tendinitis)
• Wrist/Hand (Arthritis, Cartilage damage)
• Elbow (Tennis Elbow)
• Hip (Arthritis)
• Knee (Jumper’s Knee)
• Ankle/Foot (Arthritis)
• Neck (Whiplash injuries)
• Back (Lower back pain)
• Other tears (rib problems, osteoarthritis, etc.)

Is PRP The Same Thing As Stem Cell Treatment?

Although both treatments are used to repair injured tissue, the procedures are executed in a different manner. In a PRP treatment, healing properties are targeted at recruiting adult stem cells to an injury site that is responsible for healing. In a stem cell treatment, the patient receives the factors found in platelet rich plasma and the stem cells that are responsible for tissue repair.

Should I Be Treatment With PRP Or Stem Cells?

The answer is “it depends.” More severe problems usually need more assistance in delivering stem cells into the affected area. PRP cannot recruit enough stem cells to adequately repair an extreme level of injury. Consult with a physician for recommendations to determine if you are a stem cell therapy candidate.

For an evaluation for treatment, a record review from a physician, and recommendations to see if you are a candidate for Stem Cell or PRP therapy, book an appointment at The Stem Cell Orthopedic Institute of Texas.

This Article originally appeared on stemcellorthopedicinstituteoftexas.com

Damaged Brains Regenerated Thanks To Stem Cells

Regenerative medicine, especially stem cell treatments, give patients an opportunity to recover from injuries that were previously considered permanent. There are common stem cell procedures that can repair knee, hip, spine, and shoulder pains. These are well-researched and readily available for anyone who qualifies for the treatments.

However, researchers are still investigating the question of whether or not stem cells can improve a patient’s health after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or from a stroke. These are serious, potentially life-changing questions that patients need answered so they can make informed decisions about the stem cell procedures available to them.

Stem cell therapy may very well become a valuable treatment option for patients who have brain damage. Researchers at Stanford wanted to see what effects stem cells would have when injected into a stroke patient’s brain. This study consisted of 18 patients and was designed primarily to look at the safety of such procedure, not its effectiveness. However, they were more than just surprised by what they saw. The researchers were absolutely stunned by the amount of motor functions the patient’s gained after the stem cell procedure was performed. This study has created a significant amount of attention in the neuroscience community due to the fact that the results contradict a core belief about brain damage. The consensus, up until now, has been that brain damage is permanent and irreversible. Scientists will need to reassess prior assumptions about the human brain in light of these results.

There have to be more studies conducted in order for multiple researchers and doctors to confirm that stem cell procedures can perform such miracle. The potential is exciting! If researchers find that stem cells can consistently create these kind of results, then it gives medical science a strong push to explore regenerative medicine’s capacity to repair a patient’s brain after it has suffered from other brain diseases. Stem cell treatment options will dramatically increase their potential if a medical breakthrough allowed them to treat or cure a patient who suffered from Alzheimer’s or other similar diseases.

The study from Stanford included patients who suffered from brain damage for more than six months and others who had strokes and were significantly impaired in moving their arms or legs. There were a few patients that had suffered from a stroke three to five years before the experimental treatment. The majority of these patients were left in terrible conditions, which led the researchers to believe that it might be possible for the stem cells to produce some kind of improvement.

The procedure itself was fairly straightforward. The surgeon’s strategy was to drill holes into the study’s participants’ skull and injecting stem cells around the areas damaged by the stroke. The stem cells were harvested from the bone marrow of adult donors. The surgeries were performed well, the patients were conscious throughout the procedure, and they were able to go home the same day. A few patients experienced minor adverse effects such as temporary headaches, nausea and vomiting. The volunteers were tested one month, six and 12 months after they had surgery. The doctors used brain imaging and several standard scales that look at vision, motor ability, and other aspects of daily functioning.

Gary Steinberg, the study’s lead author and chair of neurosurgery at Stanford didn’t want to oversell the results from the study. Although he couldn’t ignore the fact that seven out of 18 patients experienced significant improvement in their abilities following treatment. Steinberg went on to mention that the patient’s recoveries weren’t just minimal. They were life changing. One 71-year-old patient no longer needed his wheelchair and was able to walk again. Another patient, age 39, who was two years post-stroke had difficulties walking and talking. She was embarrassed of marrying her boyfriend because she wouldn’t be able to walk down the aisle like other people can. After treatment, she is walking and talking better than before and is married and pregnant.

Others, such as Sean Savitz, a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Texas, have been encouraged by this study. He said there are more studies that need to be done in order to confirm the results and figure out the mechanism for the reaction. Nicholas Boulis, a neurosurgeon and researcher at Emory University, commented that the study appears to support the idea that there may be latent pathways in the brain that can be reactivated. This sort of theory has been working its way to the surface over the past few years.

Stanford’s study about stem cell treatment has proven a long belief about brain damage wrong, while also significantly changing the lives of others. Just when some of these patients thought there was no chance of curing their brain damages, the stem cell treatment gave them a reason to think otherwise.

The medical community still has many steps it needs to take before any commercially available treatments can be made based on this research. However, there are other types of stem cell treatments available today. Click this link for information on what conditions can be treated with stem cells today.

This Article originally appeared on stemcellorthopedicinstituteoftexas.com

Could Stem Cell Therapy Be The Next Best Thing?

Not many people want to think about what will they have to endure in order to save themselves from knee osteoarthritis. The question asked by many who suffer from osteoarthritis is will their body be able to function properly. What could possibly be the best treatment for someone to stabilize this form of arthritis? Performing stem cell therapy offers individuals who suffer from knee osteoarthritis a greater chance to possibly cure and control the disease.

For those who may not know what stem cell therapy is, it is a treatment where the patient is given months of rehabilitation after their surgery on the affected knee is completed. As a matter of fact the Stem Cell Orthopedic Institute of Texas in San Antonio, TX, offers multiple treatments such as stem cell therapy, physical therapy, steroid injections to the knee, surgery, and more. Not to mention, the therapy is supposed to alleviate knee pain, improve the patient's’ quality of life, and increased knee cartilage growth. The degenerative arthritis commonly affects people at the age of 55 years and older. However, the stem cell therapy treatment could possibly reduce the pain of osteoarthritis, ACL, and PCL tears that one has experienced in their lifetime.

Typically, what doctors or physicians hope for is the treatments to work effectively to where the patients can prevent themselves from going through chronic pain and other serious injuries. What more would someone want than to see their struggle of dealing with chronic knee pains reduced? The stem cell injection is a one day injection treatment encouraged by doctors and physicians for patients to use after surgery. Stem cell therapy could very well be the most recommended treatment for people to benefit from. Imagine how many financial issues, time, and health insurance struggles you may face from traditional knee surgery procedures. Doctors and physicians are creating innovative treatments such as stem cell therapy in order to continue enhancing the health of patients.   

MEDICATION, REPLACEMENT OR THERAPY?

Comparing Joint Pain Solutions

Thanks to modern medicine, we are living longer than ever! Everyone wants to live a long, happy life but longevity does have some downsides. Arthritis impacts nearly half of all seniors. When it becomes serious, joint pain can impact your whole day and even put you in danger. Given this, it’s not surprising thatthe American Association of Hip And Knee Surgeons predicts, by 2030, there will be 500,000 hip replacements and 3 million knee replacements every year.

Joint pain can be treated in numerous ways. Each option has pros and cons.

PAIN MEDICATION

Depending on the severity of your joint pain, it may be manageable with medication. Reducing inflammation can relieve some joint pain. Supplements and creams are available over the counter that may relieve arthritis pain. For more serious pains, your doctor may prescribe stronger prescription medications.

Pain medication can help you maintain your normal activities. However, masking the pain does not correct the underlying issue. If your arthritis remains minor, then pain medication is a cheap, simple solution but worsening joint pain may require you to explore alternate options.

JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY

When common activities at home and work become difficult or impossible to maintain because of joint pain, a total joint replacement can greatly increase your health and quality of life. While all surgeries have risks, hip and knee replacements are common, very successful surgeries.

During a hip replacement, a surgeon removes the joint that has arthritis and is causing pain. Then an artificial joint takes its place.

A knee replacement is similar. A surgeon removes the damaged surface of knee joint to get rid of the damaged bone. Then, the knee is resurfaced with a prosthesis made of metal and plastic. Generally speaking, there are three parts: the tibial component, the femoral component, and the patellar component.

While these are very well understood surgeries, joint replacements, like all surgeries, have risks. Blood clots, fracture, infection, and dislocation are some of the risks to keep in mind before choosing a surgical option. The surgery itself may cause mild to moderate pain, and nausea can be caused by the combination of pain medication and stress.

Successful joint replacements will decrease pain in the long term and improve mobility. Most people recover from surgery in six weeks and are pain-free within a year. Artificial joints usually last over 20 years, although younger, more active people may wear it out faster. Follow up visits are important to ensure the artificial joint works in the long term.

STEM CELL THERAPY

If your arthritis is too severe for pain medication to handle but you are not comfortable with the risks, recovery time or maintenance involved with a joint replacement, stem cell therapy may be your best bet!

Stem cell treatment takes adult stem cells from your bone marrow and injects them into a damaged joint. Stem cells are your body’s way of replacing and repairing damaged cells naturally. By targeting your body’s natural healing process to a specific location, doctors can repair old damage from arthritis. Unlike pain medication, stem cell therapy treats the root cause of your pain.

Stem cell injections are minimally invasive. Patients do not need to spend the night in the hospital and you usually need only one or two injection cycles. Some patients experience mild pain for two or three days at the injection site. Ice can help reduce inflammation and can bring relief to these slight pains.

The recovery time is also incredibly short. Stem cell treatment is done on an outpatient basis. You rest for the first two days and restrict yourself to general use for the first two weeks. Cardio activities are safe after three weeks and, after 4 weeks, weightlifting and running are permitted.

If your arthritis pain is too extreme for pain medication and you would prefer to avoid a major surgery, call us at (210) 293-3136 to start your treatment!