Stem Cell
Therapy

Everyone has stem cells in their bodies. These powerful cells have the unique ability to turn into whatever type of cell your body needs to repair itself. Stem cell therapy harnesses this regenerative ability and targets damaged tissue to support and accelerate repair. 

At MD Spine Care and Orthopaedics, Dr. Kuwamura can harvest stem cells from your pelvic bone or your adipose (fat) tissue. He can also arrange for ethically sourced donor stem cells from the umbilical cords of healthy, full-term babies.  

Stem cell therapy, and regenerative medicine in general, is an exciting area of medical science. Researchers and physicians are searching for stem cell applications all the time. At the moment, stem cell therapy might be helpful for conditions including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated discs
• Vertebra fractures
• Muscle and soft tissue injuries
• Facet joint syndrome

Dr. Kuwamura also incorporates stem cell therapy into post-surgical recovery plans; the treatment can speed up your healing process and help you get back to your regular activities quickly and safely. 

In some cases, stem cell therapy can help you avoid surgery or other invasive procedures. 

If Dr. Kuwamura is using your stem cells in your treatment, he begins by collecting a sample of your cells. He provides a local anesthetic and uses an aspiration procedure to extract the cells. Next, he “washes” the cells to separate the stem cells and prepare them for injection. 

Then, whether he’s using your own stem cells or donor cells, Dr. Kuwamura prepares you for your stem cell injection. He usually provides a local anesthetic to help you stay comfortable. 

He uses fluoroscopy X-rays to guide the needle to the correct location in your spine or other damaged tissue to inject the stem cells. 

When you have a stem cell injection, the treatment floods your injured tissue with the necessary building blocks for repair. While stem cells can accelerate your healing process, your body still needs some time to heal. 

Each patient responds differently, and you might notice an improvement in your symptoms within a week or two, or you might need 4-6 weeks. 

Some patients need a series of stem cell injections to achieve their optimal results. Dr. Kuwamura provides personalized treatment plans and can answer all of your questions during your initial consultation. 

Call MD Spine Care and Orthopaedics or make an appointment online today to find out if stem cell therapy should be part of your treatment plan.