share
Painful discs in the neck or low back are common causes of severe back pain and disability. Historically, therapies did not exist to regenerate the degenerative process in a vertebral disc, often leaving surgical intervention as the only option if other non-operative treatment options have failed. In selected patients, we now have hopes of better ways to treat spinal disease. Regenerative therapies for the spine are the future for spinal treatments. We are excited to offer innovative techniques as new and improved ways to try to heal spinal problems without having to undergo surgery. Regenerative therapy options hold wonderful healing potential and represent the future of modern medicine.
In the United States alone, more than 400,000 lumbar discectomies and 500,000 spinal fusions are performed each year for symptoms related to lumbar disc degeneration. The ability to get these to heal without surgery has been a long-term goal of many patients and physicians alike.At Virginia Spine Institute, we are working to promote healing without surgery. Virginia Spine Institute continues to be on the forefront of treatment options and is proud to offer stem cell therapy treatments for patients as part of ourcomprehensive non-operative treatment options.
We obtain a patients own stem cells by aspirating tissue from the patient's hip bone or from their fat cells. These cells are centrifuged down to identify and separate specific primitive cells that will help heal tissues. Stem cells are theninjected into the disc, stimulating healing of the disc by using these primitive blood cells to stimulate regeneration of the collagen within the disc. We are excited to report improvements in our patients treated with stem cells.
Contact Us
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to become specialized types of cells. Stem cells can be categorized as embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells.Embryonic stem cells are derived from a human fetus; there are many ethical concerns with embryonic stem cells, and these are not used in our practice.
Adult stem cells are derived from adults, sometimes obtained from your very own body! Adult stem cells are further divided into different categories. For example, the types of adult stem cells we use to treat musculoskeletal issues are known as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These are multi-potent cells that can differentiate into bone cells, cartilage cells, or fat cells. Its important to note that they cannot differentiate into any other type of cell.
The human body has multiple storage sites for stem cells to repair degenerated and injured structures. We have found that obtaining stem cells from the hip bone (iliac bone) is easily performed within minutes and, in most cases, is a fairly painless procedure for the patient. The stem cells are obtained from your own bone marrow; just minutes later, they are used for treatment.
This procedure is done in our office and starts with the patient lying face down on the examination table. The skin is first numbed with a novocaine solution. After that, the cortex of the hip bone (iliac bone) is numbed. Next, under x-ray (fluoroscopic) guidance, a special needle is advanced through the bone to the cortex of your hip bone into the bone marrow. The liquid marrow - which contains the stem cells - is then withdrawn into a syringe. Finally, the needle is removed, and a small bandage is placed where the needle was inserted.
After the procedure, the syringe of stem cells is taken to the lab and placed in a specialized machine called a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the bone marrow solution and stem cells are separated from the non-useful cells. The concentrated stem cells are then transferred to a new syringe. Now, the stem cells are ready for the treatment.
Not all patients will be a candidate for these disc regeneration procedures. For those whom are ideal candidates, this provides great hope with reduction in pain and improved quality of life without the need for major surgery. We are excited about these great advances in health care and look forward to helping you live pain free.
Stem cell injections are most commonly used for treatment of the following conditions:
The area of injury is first identified using ultrasound or fluoroscopy. The area is then sterilized, and the skin above the area is numbed with a novocaine-type solution. Using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, the needle is guided to the area of injury, and the stem cell solution is injected. All the regenerative injections performed at our practice are performed under image guidance with ultrasound or fluoroscopy to confirm accurate placement of the stem cells.
The risks depend on the area being treated; however, there is always a potential risk of an injection causing infection, bleeding, or nerve damage. It is important to note that there is no risk of allergic reaction since you are using your own stem cells. At Virginia Spine Institute we always recommended the safest and most efficient procedures for our patients, however, your physician will review any possible risks associated with this treatment prior to administering.
The benefit is usually seen approximately two to three months after the whole treatment protocol has completed; however, you may start to notice the benefit sooner than this.
In most cases, patients respond very well to just one treatment; however, the patient may require two to three injections. We never perform more than three injections within a span of 12 months.
Excerpt from:
Stem Cell Therapy - Virginia Spine Institute
- Stem Cell Therapy Virginia | Stem Cell Treatments [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2014]
- Virginia Stem Cell Treatments | Stem Cell Treatments [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2014]
- About Us - StemCell ARTS - Stem Cell Therapy and PRP for ... [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2014]
- Virginia (Stem Cell) - what-when-how [Last Updated On: August 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 22nd, 2014]
- Posts Tagged virginia - virginia StemCell Doctors [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2014]
- Williamsburg Stem Cell Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy ... [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2014]
- Virginia Beach Stem Cell Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy ... [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2014]
- Stem Cells Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - Fetal stem cells ... [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2014]
- Cell Stem Cell Protocol Review - Medicine School of ... [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2014]
- Why Didn't They Win? 10 Huge Discoveries Without a Nobel Prize [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2014]
- Misfolded Proteins Clump Together in a Surprising Place [Last Updated On: October 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2014]
- Ridiculously tiny stomachs created for disease experiments [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2014]
- Billionaire's New Science Institute Plans 'Google Maps' View Of Cells [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2014]
- Stem cells and cell adaptations to particular functions [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2014]
- The Week That Was: Bear Down [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2014]
- Most cancers are just bad luck, others from bad genes, environment [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2015]
- New ACL Preservation at G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2015] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2015]
- NASA awards UCI $9 million to study underlying mechanisms of 'space brain' [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2015]
- Stem Cell Transplantation - Virginia Cancer [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2016]
- Regenerative Medicine Research - Virginia-Maryland College ... [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2016]
- Home - StemCell ARTS [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2016]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Neck & Back Pain - DC Metro Area [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- U.Va. Smashes Barrier to Growing Organs from Stem Cells ... [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2016]
- Tests show no signs of cancer for Danville 2-year-old - GoDanRiver.com [Last Updated On: July 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 6th, 2017]
- Everything's a hustle in Orphan Black episode 5.5 - SYFY WIRE (blog) [Last Updated On: July 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 9th, 2017]
- Grant supports 3D innovation in stem cell-related cancer research at ODU - Southside Daily [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2017]
- Roanoke researchers pursue treatments for the type of deadly brain cancer affecting McCain - Richmond.com [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2017]
- John Theurer Cancer Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Announce 100 - Business Wire (press release) [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2017]
- SpaceX Dragon Delivers Supplies (and Science) to Space Station - Space.com [Last Updated On: August 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: August 19th, 2017]
- Stem Cell Therapy Hair Growth | McLean | Virginia Surgical ... [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2017]
- PRP & Stem Cell Treatment in Richmond VA - Dr. Bill Nordt ... [Last Updated On: July 11th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2018]
- Stem Cells Lynchburg VA | Stem Cell Recovery SW Virginia [Last Updated On: July 24th, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 24th, 2018]
- Stem Cell Transplantation at Virginia Oncology Associates [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2018] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2018]
- Stem Cell Richmond Virginia 23230 [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2019]
- Virginia Beach VA 23460 - National Stem Cell Therapy [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2019] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2019]
- Stem Cell Injections Richmond, Virginia | Alternative to ... [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2019] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2019]
- Stem Cell Therapy in Dallas, TX | National Stem Cell Centers [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2019]
- Top 25 Most Haunted Places in Virginia - Colonial Ghosts [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2019] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2019]
- Dr. Christopher Good | Spinal Surgeon | Virginia Spine [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2019] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2019]
- Oliver and Elizabeth Hedgepeth column: Human donations are a gift of life - Richmond.com [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2019] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2019]
- Brown fat warms your body in cold weather | NOVA - NOVA Next [Last Updated On: December 30th, 2019] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2019]
- Q&A: Cancer Death Rates Are Falling Nationally. Here's What's Happening at UVA - University of Virginia [Last Updated On: January 11th, 2020] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2020]
- Bent into shape: The rules of tree form - Knowable Magazine [Last Updated On: February 4th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2020]
- First-of-its-Kind Bio-Artificial Pancreas on Track for Type-I Diabetes Cure - Global Trade Magazine [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2020] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2020]
- Focused Ultrasound Opening Brain to Previously Impossible Treatments - University of Virginia [Last Updated On: May 12th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 12th, 2020]
- Surrozen reloads with $50M for final dash to the clinic, shines some light on lead Wnt-modulating candidates - Endpoints News [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2020] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2020]
- Landmark transplant in 1960s Virginia performed with heart stolen from a Black man - Live Science [Last Updated On: August 12th, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 12th, 2020]
- WVU assistant professor receives $3 million to study impacts of air pollution on lungs - The Daily Athenaeum - thedaonline [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2020] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2020]
- Alleged unwanted hysterectomies and other abuses at ICE facility prompts investigation - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- Talaris Therapeutics Announces Collaboration With Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates to Advance Preclinical Study of Tolerance Induction to Organs From... [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2020] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2020]
- U.S. elections bring wins and losses for research community - Science Magazine [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2020]
- Viewpoint: Rightwing packing on Supreme Court means ERA more crucial than ever to protect Women's Rights - Blog - The Island Now [Last Updated On: November 5th, 2020] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2020]
- Anatomy of a vaccine: What it takes to create a safe, effective COVID shot - University of California [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2020] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2020]
- Novel Bone Marrow 'Ingredient' To Help Arthritic Horses The Horse - TheHorse.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2021]
- Study: Israeli-made anti-COVID nasal spray reduced infection at mass gathering - The Times of Israel [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2021] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2021]
- Clint Smith's 'How The Word Is Passed' And Race History - NPR [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2021]
- Habitable Earth an anomaly? Awardees of STEM grants study this and more | University of Hawaii System News - UH System Current News [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2021]
- Pollution could be sucking the youth out of you, quite literally - ZME Science [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2021] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2021]
- 'Where Does It Hurt?': Primary Care Tips for Common Ortho Problems - Medscape [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2022]
- Plug-and-play organ-on-a-chip can be customized to the patient - EurekAlert [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2022]
- What it's like to compete in the science fair 'Olympics' - Science News for Students [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2022]
- PARP Inhibitors Are Under Study as Treatment Options Beyond BRCA-Mutated Breast Cancer - OncLive [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2022] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2022]
- With Supreme Court Failing California, Is It Time to Go on Our Own? - zocalopublicsquare.org [Last Updated On: July 11th, 2022] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2022]
- DiPersio receives awards recognizing contributions to cancer care, research Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis - Washington... [Last Updated On: July 27th, 2022] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2022]
- Long COVID-19 and other chronic respiratory conditions after viral infections may stem from an overactive immune response in the lungs - Huron Daily... [Last Updated On: August 5th, 2022] [Originally Added On: August 5th, 2022]
- Long COVID-19 May Stem From an Overactive Immune Response in the Lungs - SciTechDaily [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2022] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2022]