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
- 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:
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- 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?
Diagnostic Technique/Test:
Diagnostic Technique/Test | Description/Purpose |
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X-rays | Identify 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) Scan | Offers cross-sectional images of the spine, particularly useful if MRI is not available. |
Myelogram | A 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:
Conditions | Purpose in Differential Diagnosis |
---|---|
Degenerative Disc Disease | To differentiate symptoms from spinal stenosis. |
Herniated Discs | To rule out herniated discs as the primary cause of symptoms. |
Tumors in the Spine | To check for the presence of tumors that might mimic stenosis symptoms. |
Infections or Inflammation | To 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.
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 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.
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Eligibility Criteria for Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Stenosis
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
Stem Cell Therapy for Cervical Spinal Stenosis |
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Stem Cell Therapy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis |
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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.
1. Extraction of stem cells |
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2. Separation of stem cells |
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3. Stem cell transplantation |
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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.
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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.
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
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:
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
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
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?
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?