THERAPEUTICS | STEM CELL THERAPY

For orthopedics, aesthetics, & anti-aging.

Adipose or fat derived stem cell therapy involves several steps starting with obtaining about 50 mL of fat (approximately 3 tablespoons) from the client’s own body using a liposuction procedure. Potential donor sites include the back, thigh, or abdomen. The fat is then processed to isolate the stem-cell-rich portion of the tissue. That portion is then used therapeutically as needed for injury or for age related issues. There is minimal pain and bleeding, the donor sites take about 2-3 days to fully heal, and there is almost no downtime. 

What to expect: The harvesting procedure typically lasts less than an hour but can vary from person to person. It is done under local anesthesia/nerve block so you can typically eat and drink normally. If same day injections are performed those typically take more time which can vary from 1 hour to more depending on what we are doing. Most people walk out of the office and drive themselves home. There is minimal down time but this depends on the areas injected.

Bone marrow derived stem cell therapy involves harvesting bone marrow from the client’s own body. The most common donor site is the hip bone. The harvested bone marrow is then processed to render the stem-cell-rich portion which is then used therapeutically for injury or age related issues. Compared to adipose derived stem cell therapy, the quantitative yield of stem cells is lower, the procedure is more painful, and the downtime is longer while the bone repairs and seals itself afterwards. However, each patient is different and some clinical scenarios warrant the use of bone marrow.

What to expect: The whole procedure typically takes 2-3 hours but can vary from person to person. It is done with a combination of local anesthesia and a sedative so no eating or drinking from midnight prior to the procedure. Most people walk out of the office on their own accompanied with a friend or family member who can drive them home. There is down time for healing but this usually takes days to weeks.

Allogenic cell therapy is a form of therapy involving two separate individuals – a donor and a recipient – of the microscopic products in question. These cells are usually from donated amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, or umbilical cord blood. As a result, there are several other names for this form of therapy including placental matrix, umbilical cord, Wharton’s Jelly, and amniotic fluid therapy amongst others. In addition to the quantity and quality of the cells, safety also is of paramount importance in order to avoid infection or an immune reaction in the recipient. There are a variety of reasons why an allogenic
product might be right for your issue. Any decision about an allogenic product should be made with a physician who has experience with these products as well as autologous therapy alternatives (e.g. bone marrow derived, or adipose tissue derived stem cell therapy).

What to expect: The whole procedure typically takes 1-2 hours but can vary from person to person. It is done with a local anaesthesic/numbing medicine. Most people walk out of the office on their own accompanied and drive themselves home. There is down minimal downtime for healing.

Exosomes are packets of proteins and microRNA secreted from cells as a means of communication with neighboring cells. The exosomes we use are derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This is important as MSCs use exosomes to help repair injured cells. Exosomes released from cultured MSCs are concentrated and processed so that they can be used for therapeutic purposes. Some clinical scenarios warrant the use of exosomes in addition to stem cells as a “force multiplier”; while other procedures can only be performed safely using exosomes. A physician experienced in all of the various biological therapies can help delineate the right course of therapy.

What to expect: The whole procedure typically takes 1-2 hours but can vary from person to person. It is done with a local anaesthesic/numbing medicine. Most people walk out of the office on their own accompanied and drive themselves home. There is down minimal downtime for healing.

Stem cell banking is a process where your stem cells are harvested in the clinic, and then sent to an FDA registered tissue bank. There, the cells are nourished and allowed to multiply several-fold over weeks through a process called culture-expansion. The cells are then frozen and stored for your on-demand use at a future date. A key advantage of the banking process is that from a single harvesting procedure, cells can be used on numerous occasions. It’s the ultimate insurance plan in anticipation of injuries, orthopedic or otherwise.

What to expect: The harvesting procedure typically lasts less than an hour but can vary from person to person. It is done under local anesthesia/nerve block so you can typically eat and drink normally. Most people walk out of the office and drive themselves home. There is minimal down time but this can vary individually.