Our Stem Cell Treatment
Stem Cell Treatment for Foot and Ankle Joints
Stem cells are revolutionizing the way we practice medicine by its promise of providing novel treatment options today and in the future for cosmetic treatments and for many medical conditions. Amongst the most common stem cell treatments that are available today are stem cell treatments for joint conditions. Different stem cell technologies are being developed and tested around the world for treating joints. Most technologies rely on bone marrow or embryonic stem cells that require cell culture and/or manipulation in a laboratory and therefore require scientific studies to prove their long-term safety before they may be granted FDA approval. Unlike these treatment methods, the Stem Cell Lift® procedure harnesses the natural healing power of stem cells found in your own body fat, without the need to grow or manipulate these cells in a laboratory, to treat joints. The Stem Cell Lift® Joint Renewal procedure may improve the joint symptoms without the need to undergo major surgery. Dr. Nik’s Foot and Ankle Center has formed a one-of-a-kind collaboration with Dr. Nathan Newman, the innovator of the Stem Cell Lift® procedure and the Medical Director of the fully accredited Orchid Surgery Center in Beverly Hills, where these procedures are carried out. They have successfully worked on many patients with arthritic joints, extending the life of the joints and preventing surgery.
Benefits of Stem Cell Lift® Joint Renewal
The most natural and safe method of stem cell use is to allow the genetically programmed stem cells found in your fat to carry out their reparative and regenerative functions in the body. The stem cells found in the fat are mesenchymal tissue stem cells that are known to have the unique ability to differentiate to fat, muscle, bone, cartilage, and nerve insulating cells. The use of these cells may reduce the pain, discomfort, stiffness and other joint symptoms with a simple joint injection. Most patients report marked improvement of symptoms and have avoided the risks, costs, pain, down-time, and long recovery associated with joint replacements, chronic pain medications, or serial joint injections that may give temporary relief. Although there is no long-term data available for this new treatment options, initial clinical results are very promising.
The Stem Cell Lift® Joint Renewal Procedure
The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia. First, the area that the fat is to be removed from (usually abdomen or thighs) is numbed with anesthetic injection. Then, the fat is removed using specialized mini-liposuction instruments. Next, the stem cells that are present in the fat are separated, concentrated and activated at the bedside. Lastly, the supercharged stem cells are injected into the joint.
Who May Be A Candidate
Most patients with joint pain and stiffness due to injury, arthritis, or wearing away of the cartilage cushioning have shown to benefit from stem cell injections into the joint. May patients that have lost the cartilage in their joints and have been recommended to have a knee replacement may be good candidates for the procedure.
Areas for Treatment
Any joint may be treated using stem cells. Dr.Nik specializes in performing this procedure on arthritic joints in the foot and ankle. A proper evaluation and assessment must be done on an individual basis to determine if stem cell treatment is an option for you.
Risks and Side-Effects
There is minimal risk with this treatment. The risks are the same as any injection into the joints, including bleeding, infection, bruising, and swelling. Since the stem cells are your own and they are kept in their natural form, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction.
Recovery
There is usually minimum to no down time. You may resume normal daily activities immediately after the procedure. You may experience swelling and soreness in the area the fat was removed and in the area the stem cells are injected for a few days. There is usually no need for pain medication, in fact most patients report almost immediate relief of symptoms.