Adipose stem cell therapy is an innovative treatment that is used for many musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative conditions. The treatment involves a series of injections of adipose-derive stem cells, which are obtained from the patient’s own body via liposuction.
The adipose stem cell procedure is performed at a certified surgical center. You fist come into the office for a consultation and examination visit. The doctor starts you on doxycycline, an antibiotic that reduces enzymes that could injure the adipose cells. In addition, you are given a tapered dose of a corticosteroid, which prevents inflammation. The first step of the procedure is liposuction, which takes around 4 hours. A small incision is made on the skin, and a suction cannula is used to removed fat cells.
The adipose cells are processed in the laboratory into a concentrated solution. The doctor then injects the solution into the damaged or injured body joint or structure. Fluoroscopy (x-ray guidance) is used to assure correct needle placement. After removing the procedure needle, a bandage is applied to the site.
Immediately after the injection, your skin will be numb for 1-2 hours due to the local anesthetic. After this wears off, expect some soreness at the injection site and liposuction incision site. We recommend that you rest for 2-3 days, and gradually return to usual activities. However, you cannot participate in sporting activities for 3 months. You will notice gradual improvement of the injured or damaged body structure, but full effects will not be achieved until 3-4 months.
In a recent controlled study, adipose-derived stem cells were used to treat knee osteoarthritis. After 2 years, almost all patients showed significant improvement of all studied clinical outcomes. In the same study, researchers evaluated elderly patients with worsening arthritis. Of those studied, 88% had improved or maintained cartilage status at the 2-year follow-up.
In a controlled study comparing stem cell injections after arthroscopy with standard arthroscopy alone, researchers found that the quality of life improved form patients treated with stem cells. The study participants had knee arthritis, and were evaluated with the visual analogue scale and an osteoarthritis outcome score. In yet another study, researchers injected patients with adipose stem cells and evaluated their pain and return to activities. According to patients’ reports on outcome evaluation tools, pain decreased significantly, and functional status improved.
Adipose stem cell therapy has been used to treat:
There is some clinical evidence that shows adipose stem cell injections are beneficial both short-term and long-term. Researchers have seen results at 6-months post-therapy, as well as at 2-years post-therapy. In an arthroscopic second look study, researchers found that arthritic changes improve 24 months after adipose stem cell treatment. In addition, researchers have confirmed structural changes on serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans after patients received adipose stem cell treatments.
According to many clinical studies, researchers have found that adipose stem cell injections:
Hong-Thien KB, Duong TD, Nguyen NT, & Pham PV (2014). Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis treatment using autologous adipose derived stem cells and platelet-rich plasma: a clinical study. Biomedical Research and Therapy, (1):02-08
