eNewsletter

THE MYTH

Myth: Stem cells re-grow limbs the way salamanders re-grow tails.

Most studies have shown that while stem cells have the ability to form many types of tissue, they sometimes form a multitude of tissues at any one site -- unless specifically stimulated or directed to do otherwise. This sometimes leads to bone formation in some soft tissue repairs when only ligament or cartilage was desired.


THE REALITY

•    "Stems cells can augment the healing response to the regeneration of articular
     cartilage…"
•    "Stem cells can be added to ligament reconstructions to speed healing …"
•    "Stem cells can act as growth factor production engines through anabolic stimulation
     of the repair cells at the site of injury…"

Studies to prove these statements are underway at the Stone Research Foundation and elsewhere.

At The Stone Clinic, we use a patient's own bone marrow stem cells (also known as mesenchymal stem cells) to regenerate bone, cartilage, or fibrocartilage. We direct their behavior with growth factors, electrical stimulation, and continuous motion machines.


THE HOPE
Our strength is in Biologic Joint Replacement: a program designed to delay or avoid artificial joint reconstruction by re-growing or replacing human tissue.  To achieve this goal we need to improve the mechanisms of concentrating, delivering, and directing stem cells and growth factors. We are testing stem cell augmentation of cartilage and ligament tissue to speed healing and allow early return to sports.

Our primary cartilage goal for people with arthritis is the complete replacement of intact cartilage surfaces which we believe can be achieved within this decade.  We have made excellent initial progress.

Our hope is that artificial joint replacement can be reserved for the very elderly.