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Source: Research by Tim Friend and Dan Vergano, USA TODAY By Frank Pompa and Julie Snider, USA TODAY

Although the general public considers stem cell therapy an innovative, cutting-edge treatment, the fact is that this kind of therapy already has a lengthy history. In the past, however, stem cells were difficult and very expensive to obtain. Luckily, the advent of improved equipment and techniques has meant that stem cells can now be acquired through a simple procedure.

If the area in question has an insufficient blood supply, this is termed an area of hypoxia, otherwise known as low oxygen content. Hypoxia areas can include the rotator cuff, the joints, meniscus tissue, and other spots with tendon injuries. Typically, these areas are unable to heal properly without help, as the body does not send enough repair cells to the afflicted areas. The inadequate supply of blood in these areas means that the body fails to sense the injury. Fortunately, we are generally able to treat the area, if the injury isnt severe, with platelet-rich plasma. This works by effectively mimicking a blood supply, allowing the platelets to sense the injury and release growth factors, which then prompt the body to send various stem cells to the area.

In most cases, 2 oz. (60 cc) of bone marrow aspirate is required. The aspirate includes platelets, mesenchymal stem cells, and other kinds of stem cells used in adult stem cell therapy. After aspiration, the bone marrow is placed inside a special container, which in turn is placed into a machine known as a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the material at a high rate of speed, and this process separates the platelets and stem cells from the remainder of the blood products. It is this concentration of bone marrowcalled BMAC, or bone marrow aspiration concentratethat is reintroduced to the injured area during stem cell therapy.

Once this is accomplished, the platelets then release signal proteins and growth factors that activate the stem cells. Its important to understand that stem cells by themselves are unable to repair the injured area. These cells have to be properly directed, and platelets perform this function. In effect, stem cells are construction workers and the platelets are their supervisors. Once they are activated, these stem cells perform a variety of valuable functions. Apart from repairing damage to the injured areas, stem cells help damaged cells repair themselves and participate in the repairing process.

Generally, the repair process takes two to three months to complete, but in most cases improvement can be noticed before then. About four to six weeks after the stem cell injection, the patient receives a platelet-rich plasma injection on the afflicted area; this is followed by another injection four to six weeks afterward. These injections enable the stem cells to continue growth and multiply into cartilage tissue.

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