Different stimuli trigger the bone marrow's mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into different types of cell.
How are stem cells being used in regenerative orthopaedics?
In orthopaedic knee surgery, stem cells may be used -
- to help healing in non-union of bone fractures
- in regeneration of crushed peripheral nerves
- in regeneration of articular cartilage after microfracture and abrasion arthroplasty
- to improve the integration of bone wedges in an osteotomy
What are stem cells?
Most body cells are able to replicate themselves, but stem cells are special cells that are able to differentiate into different kinds of cells, depending on the body's need.
"....Stem cells....act as internal repair systems of the body....The replenishment and formation of new cells are unlimited as long as an organism is alive...in bone marrow, their division is constant...."
How are stem cells harvested in orthopaedic surgery?
Bone marrow is commonly harvested from the iliac crest of the patient's own hip.
Several types of progenitor cell can be derived from bone marrow which can differentiate into almost any kind of mature adult cell, but the ones that are important in regenerative medicine relating to the knee are the mesenchymal stem cells that can mature into tissues such as fat, bone, muscle and cartilage.
....Bone marrow "adult stem cells show limited differentiation potential to tissues of one germ layer....it is important to distinguish embryonic stem cells, which are truly pluripotent from multipotent adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are only found in early developmental stages of the organism. They represent the only cell type, which has the ability to renew itself indefinitely and is truly pluripotent...."
How safe are stem cell treatments?
Embryonic stem cells are believed to have the potential to form cancers. Similarly, inducing ordinary bone marrow stem cells to become truly pluripotent also has a risk of inducing cancers. But ordinary bone marrow derived stem cells seem to be safe.
Other relevant links
Regenerative orthopaedics, Orthobiologic, Mesenchymal stem cell, Regenerative orthopaedics
Forum discussions
- Had Regenexx Stem cell procedure done on Left knee - Patients have a long discussion about stem cell treatments.