Company logo
Get Listed

Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis: Latest Insights 2024

Discover the transformative potential of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis. Explore cutting-edge treatments that offer hope and improved quality of life for those suffering from spinal conditions.

  • Neurology
  • Stem Cell

By Shalini Jadhvani

15th Oct '22

Blog Banner Image

Overview

Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis offers a promising new approach to treating this debilitating spinal condition. By harnessing the regenerative power of stem cells, this therapy aims to repair damaged tissues and alleviate pain. It's a cutting-edge treatment option, providing new hope for those suffering from spinal stenosis. With Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis, patients now have an innovative and potentially more effective way to manage their spinal health.

Do you know?

Spinal stenosis affects 1 out of 20 adults over 50 in the US alone.

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves of the spine.

The two main types of this condition are cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis. In other words, the neck and lower back regions are mostly affected.

Common Symptoms and Signs

happy boy riding a bicycle, child and his bike

  • Pain in the back or neck: Can be intermittent or constant.
  • Numbness, weakness, or tingling: Often occurs in the arms or legs.
  • Difficulty walking or balance problems: Caused by pressure on the spinal cord.
  • Symptoms worsening over time: Generally, these symptoms gradually worsen.

Causes of Spinal Stenosis

This condition can be caused by several issues like:

Causes of spinal stenosis

Uncover the root causes of Spinal Stenosis and prioritize your health. Don't delay – book your appointment now for a healthier future.

  • General age-induced wear and tear
  • Herniated discs
  • Thickening of ligaments around the spine
  • Spinal injuries

Patients with spinal stenosis usually present with pain, tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, and impaired bladder or bowel control.

How is spinal stenosis diagnosed? 

Patient Consultation With Doctor Illustration

Diagnostic Technique/Test:

Diagnostic Technique/TestDescription/Purpose
X-raysIdentify changes in bone structure, such as bone spurs.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)Provides detailed images of bones and soft tissues, revealing nerve pressure and damage.
CT (Computed Tomography) ScanOffers cross-sectional images of the spine, particularly useful if MRI is not available.
MyelogramA special dye is injected into the spinal fluid, used in combination with CT scans, to provide a clear picture of the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Differential Diagnosis:

ConditionsPurpose in Differential Diagnosis
Degenerative Disc DiseaseTo differentiate symptoms from spinal stenosis.
Herniated DiscsTo rule out herniated discs as the primary cause of symptoms.
Tumors in the SpineTo check for the presence of tumors that might mimic stenosis symptoms.
Infections or InflammationTo rule out spinal infections or inflammation as causes of the symptoms.

Conventionally, spinal stenosis has limited treatment options of medication for pain and physiotherapy. In severe cases, surgery is performed to fix the cause.

What can stem cell therapy do to treat spinal stenosis? 

Well, stem cells can repair the damage to the injured or worn-out spinal tissue, providing long-term pain relief to the patient.

It’s time to answer one of the most critical questions first. 

Safe

Stem cell treatment for spinal stenosis is a fairly new treatment.

Due to this reason, it is not yet FDA-approved. However, clinical trials have been going on for nearly a decade. You will be glad to hear that no long-term side effects have been reported by any study so far.

So, in a nutshell, yes, this treatment is safe.

Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Spinal Stenosis?

The short answer is yes, it works. 

 

To explain more, let’s talk about just how it works.

 

But first, let’s understand what a stem cell is. 

Stem cell

Stem cells are immature cells found in our bodies, that can differentiate into any tissue. In adults, these stem cells are generally harvested from the bone marrow or the fatty tissue of the abdomen.

Since nearly all of us have these stem cells, most transplants are autologous, where the patient’s stem cells are used.

So how do stem cells treat spinal stenosis? 

Stem cells have several useful properties. 

  • Regeneration: By repairing and replacing the damaged spinal tissue, stem cells help treat spinal stenosis.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties: This further helps reduce chronic pain.
  • Neurotrophic properties: This means they can form new nerve endings and eliminate muscle weakness as well.

As we have seen from the above explanation, scientists have found a way to use stem cells to successfully treat spinal stenosis. 

Benefits of stem cells in treating Spinal Stenosis

Let’s talk a little more about the benefits of stem cells in treating spinal stenosis.

Benefits of stem cell spinal stenosis

Explore the potential of stem cells in treating Spinal Stenosis and seize control of your health. Reach out to us today to embark on a path to a better life!

Eligibility Criteria for Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis

Customer service guide abstract illustration

How does one know if they qualify for stem cell therapy in the first place? 

Each clinical study is unique and has its own set of requirements. Your physician is probably the best person to explain if you qualify for stem cell therapy or not.

Still, we have made a list of general criteria that you must meet to participate in a stem cell clinical trial.

  • Your diagnosis should not be older than six months.
  • You should not have an extensive medical history.
  • You should not have received any organ transplant.
  • You should not have any autoimmune diseases.

Stem Cell Therapy for Different Types of Spinal Stenosis

Types of spinal stenosis

Stem Cell Therapy for Cervical Spinal Stenosis
  • Cervical spinal stenosis generally shows symptoms like pain and tingling in the neck or shoulder.
  • Stem cells repair the damaged or injured spinal tissue, providing pain relief. 
Stem Cell Therapy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis is underscored by issues like lower back pain and loss of bowel or bladder control.
  • The regenerative mechanism of stem cells repairs damaged nerve endings.
  • Patients show improved muscle control in as little as three weeks after the procedure.

Procedure of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis

Now that you have understood just how stem cell therapy will help you, are you ready to find out what it entails?

 

If you’re sitting in front of your computer worrying about how difficult the procedure will be, you should take a deep breath. 

Because stem cell treatment for spinal stenosis only involves three simple steps.

Procedure of stem cell therapy for spinal stenosis

1. Extraction of stem cells
  • Bone marrow is extracted from your hip bone.
  • This procedure only takes a couple of hours.
  • It’s completely painless as you will be given local anesthesia.
2. Separation of stem cells
  • This step is done in a stem cell laboratory.
  • Your stem cells are separated from the rest of your bone marrow tissue to prepare a concentrated solution.
  • It usually takes about three to four hours.
3. Stem cell transplantation
  • The stem cells are injected directly into the affected area of your spinal cord.
  • This step is also done under local anesthesia to keep you comfortable.
  • It takes about an hour.

As you can see, the whole process can be completed in about eight to nine hours.

However, doctors spread it out over two or three days to keep the patient comfortable.

In some cases, a couple of additional days of hospital stay is also required.

Delve into the procedure of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis and initiate your journey to recovery. Take the first step – contact us today for your personalized treatment.

What to Expect After Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis?

The entire procedure is quite simple. But is the recovery period difficult?

Not at all. Stem cell therapy requires very little recovery time. 

The patient is usually given a discharge one or two days after the procedure. They can resume their daily activities one week after the procedure.

Right after the procedure, some patients experience a headache and nausea. However, this clears up on its own in a few hours. Apart from this, no long-term side effects have been reported by any clinical study.

no side effects

What about risks, you ask?

Like every medical procedure, this one also comes with certain risks of its own.

  • Infection or nerve damage at the site of the transplant
  • If donor stem cells are used, graft-versus-host disease might occur

Results

Are you wondering if you need to wait for months to see visible results? 

 

You don’t. 

Most patients show visible improvement three to four weeks after the procedure. 

Here’s what you can expect:

Stem cell spinal stenosis results

Your body will continue producing new healthy cells for almost one year after the procedure. 

While more studies are needed to see how patients fare several years after stem cell therapy, we already know that they require much less medication and therapy even one year after the procedure.

Success Rates of Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis

Success rate of stem cell therapy for spinal stenosis

A 2017 study using bone marrow-derived stem cells reported a 70% improvement in pain scores at one year after treatment.

A 2020 study employing adipose-derived stem cells showed a 60% improvement in functional scores two years after the procedure.

The success rate of stem cell therapy can depend on several factors:

  • The severity of the spinal stenosis
  • The medical history of the patient
  • The type of stem cells used
  • The location of the stenosis

Despite numerous hurdles, the success rate of stem cell therapy for spinal stenosis is 80%!

Yes, you read that right! 

Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis Cost

Stem cell therapy for spinal stenosis cost

The cost of spinal stenosis stem cell therapy heavily depends on the type of facility you choose, the source and type of stem cells used, and the number of stem cells required.

In India, this procedure costs 5000 to 8000 USD, including hospital stays. The same procedure costs 15,000 to 45,000 USD in the US.

It is important to note here that the cost of stem cell therapy is not yet covered under medical insurance, as the procedure is not FDA-approved.

Present and Future Scope and Challenges of Stem Cell for Spinal Stenosis

Stem cell therapy has come a long way over the past ten years. Yes, certain challenges still exist. 

As a paper by Daisuke Sakai and Gunnar B.J. Andersson, which was published in the Nature Reviews Rheumatology journal, points out, researchers still must figure out why this treatment doesn’t work as well in chronic cases.

Despite this, stem cell therapy is well on its way to becoming a conventional medical treatment for spinal stenosis and giving predictable results. 

Do you believe stem cell therapy could be the treatment you were looking for?

 

Did you answer a yes? 

 

Call today and get free Consultation!

Reference:

https://www.nature.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What diseases can be treated through stem cells?

Where will the cells be taken or sourced from?

Will stem cell therapy have any after effects?

Will there be medications and diet restrictions following stem cell therapy?

Is stem cell therapy permanent?

What precautions to take post stem cell therapy?

What’s the cost of stem cell therapy in India?

For whom is stem cell therapy recommended and beneficial?

Relevant Blogs

Blog Banner Image

A Complete Guide for Stem Cell Therapy

For a brief knowledgeable guide to Stem Cell Therapy in India. To know more connect with us on 8657803314

Blog Banner Image

10 Best Hospitals in Istanbul - Updated 2023

Looking for the best hospital in Istanbul? Here is a compact list for you of the 10 Best Hospitals in Istanbul.

Blog Banner Image

Stem cell therapy for liver cirrhosis in India- Is it safe and affordable?

Discover the cutting-edge Stem cell therapy for liver cirrhosis in India, offering hope and improved health outcomes. Learn how this innovative treatment is changing lives and providing a new lease on life for cirrhosis patients.

Blog Banner Illustration

Stem cell therapy for diabetes in India- Is it safe and effective?

Diabetes occurs due to defects in the functions of insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. It is believed that stem cells can repair the functions of the pancreas. This can help the pancreas to produce healthy insulin at a good pace. Read ahead to know more about treating diabetes using stem cell therapy.

Blog Banner Image

Stem cell therapy for Cerebral Palsy in India

Explore the breakthroughs in Stem cell therapy for Cerebral Palsy in India. Discover cutting-edge treatments offering hope and improved quality of life for patients.

Blog Banner Illustration

Stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s Disease- Can Stem Cells Cure Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson's disease can occur in both men and women, mostly during old age. It affects the central nervous system, targeting the brain. Parkinson's disease is caused by several factors, including ageing and environmental toxins. Stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease is widely used, for its feasibility and ease.

Blog Banner Image

Stem Cell Therapy in India: Advanced Care 2024

Explore cutting-edge Stem Cell Therapy in India. Leaders in regenerative medicine, offering advanced treatments for global patients. Experience hope and healing with expert care.

Blog Banner Image

Dr. Gurneet Singh Sawhney- Neurosurgeon and Spine Surgeon

Dr. Gurneet Sawhney, a well-renowned neurosurgeon with different recognition in various publications with 18+ years of experience in the field and has expertise in different fields of procedure surgeries like complex neurosurgical and neurotrauma procedures, including brain surgery, brain tumor surgery, spine surgery, epilepsy surgery, deep brain stimulation surgery (DBS), Parkinson’s treatment, and seizure treatment.

Question and Answers

Does stem cell therapy help Parkinson’s disease?

Female | 70

Stem cell treatment may be an option to relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease. For a better understanding talk to the specialists

Answered on 12th Mar '24

Dr. Pradeep Mahajan

Dr. Pradeep Mahajan

bacpan se problam hai lekin kal M.R.I karwaya tab pata chala hume beti ko brain tumar hai kya iska ilaj ho sakta hai

Female | 21

You should immediately consult a neurologist or neurosurgeon to know the brain tumor size and type. The treatment options will vary based on the location, size, and type of tumor, among others. Only the best doctor can design the most suitable treatment plan.

Answered on 12th Mar '24

Dr. Gurneet Sawhney

Dr. Gurneet Sawhney

Cost Of Related Treatments In Country