Many cells in our body (cardiac muscle, nerve cells, cartilage cells, muscle cells) form at birth and perform their function until death. Aging begins in human cells from the day of birth; over time, they become damaged and die. Scientists have sought methods to replace these damaged and dying cells. Special cells have been discovered in our body, particularly in adipose tissue and bone marrow. These cells are undifferentiated stem cells that have not yet specialized into cells such as nerve, bone, or muscle. When these cells are transferred to damaged tissues in our body, they can differentiate and transform into cells in that region (cartilage, nerve, muscle, and similar cells…). For this reason, these cells are called stem cells. In this article, we will first discuss how we obtain stem cells and in which diseases we use them. Finally, we will discuss PRP therapy because patients often confuse it with stem cell therapy applied in some clinics.
Stem cells are generally found in bone marrow and adipose tissue. Since obtaining stem cells from bone marrow is more laborious for the patient, we prefer to use cells found in the adipose tissue around the abdomen or hip area. In this method, adipose tissue around the abdomen or hip is removed by liposuction, and the stem cells in this adipose tissue are separated by two methods. The first is to extract the cells by passing the adipose tissue through special filters. The second method is to separate the cells from the adipose tissue using special enzymes. The first method is simpler, but since it is a mechanical method, most of the extracted stem cells are damaged and die during the process. For this reason, we use the second method. In this method, stem cells in the adipose tissue taken from the abdomen with special needles are collected by a Genetic Diseases Specialist using special enzymes. This way, unstressed stem cells can be applied to the damaged area.
Stem cell therapy is used in treatment by cardiologists, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and orthopedic doctors. In orthopedics and traumatology, stem cells are generally used in cartilage damage in joints, ligament injuries, and non-union fractures. Stem cells applied to damaged ligament tissue undergo transformation to create new ligament tissue cells and enable faster healing of the tissue. Cartilage damage occurring in the knee, ankle, and hip leads joints to arthrosis (calcification). The self-renewal capacity of damaged cartilage is quite low. Therefore, treatments using stem cells have been found to be more successful in research. In non-union fractures, union can be achieved using stem cells. Stem cell appears as a new and promising method in the treatment of such diseases that are difficult to treat in orthopedics and traumatology. The application can be completed within approximately 2 hours.
PRP therapy is not stem cell therapy. In PRP therapy, the person’s own blood is drawn and the blood is centrifuged at a certain speed to extract substances that accelerate tissue healing, which are then administered to the damaged area. The existing cells in the damaged area are stimulated, resulting in earlier healing. If the damage in the joint is at a very advanced level, PRP therapy may not provide benefit to the patient. Unfortunately, in some clinics, PRP therapy is explained to patients as stem cell therapy, causing confusion among patients. If treatment has been performed by only taking your blood without removing adipose tissue or bone marrow from you, this is not stem cell therapy but PRP therapy.
Technology is developing day by day, and new treatments for diseases in the human body are being discovered. Stem cell therapy is one of these methods. In stem cell extraction, having the procedure performed by a competent Genetic Diseases Specialist using enzymes rather than mechanically increases the success rate in treatment. This method should not be confused with PRP.
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this content.