More and more surgeons are beginning to talk about biologics, stem cells and regenerative medicine. Sameer Mathur, MD, an orthopedic surgeon, explains the future of stem cells in a sponsored article with WRAL.com.
Dr. Mathur uses stem cells to treat patients with low back and leg pain. He estimates 85 percent of his patients report improved symptoms following spinal stem cell treatments.
The procedures Dr. Mathur offers with stem cells are outpatient and minimally invasive, taking roughly an hour from start to finish. "Bone marrow stem cells can be used to treat osteoarthritis, joint pain, low back pain and other spinal conditions," according to the report.
Dr. Mathur also uses stem cells to treat degenerative disc disease. However, he notes that some patients do not qualify for stem cell treatments and surgery may be necessary.
"I have been treating back pain for over a decade," Dr. Mathur told WRAL.com. "Unfortunately, there have been no good treatment options, including physical therapy, medications and even surgery. Regenerative medicine is the next frontier in treating low back pain caused by degenerative disc disease."
More articles on biologics:
Dr. Bert Mandelbaum describes potential of orthobiologic treatments for ACL tears in 'Medscape'
Anika Therapeutics to showcase cartilage repair scaffold solution: 4 things to know
Ohio orthopedic surgeon uses patients' body fat to repair damaged tissue: 5 notes