Spinal Fusion Through Stem Cells
A modest new application of stem cells in therapy: researchers "have used a new, leading-edge stem cell therapy to promote the growth of bone tissue following the removal of cervical discs - the cushions between the bones in the neck - to relieve chronic, debilitating pain. [The procedure] used bone marrow-derived adult stem cells to promote the growth of the bone tissue essential for spinal fusion following surgery, as part of a nationwide, multicenter clinical trial of the therapy. ... We hope that this investigational procedure eventually will help those who undergo spinal fusion in the back as well as in the neck, and the knowledge gained about stem cells also will be applied in the near future to treat without surgery those suffering from back pain. ... In the surgery, called an anterior cervical discectomy, a cervical disc or multiple discs are removed via an incision in the front of the neck. The investigational stem cell therapy then is applied to promote fusion of the vertebrae across the space created by the disc removal. ... [Using existing methods], adequate spinal fusion fails to occur in 8 to 35 percent or more of patients, and persistent pain occurs in up to 60 percent of patients with fusion failure, which often necessitates additional surgery. ... A lack of effective new bone growth after spine fusion surgery can be a significant problem, especially in surgeries involving multiple spinal segments. This new technology may help patients grow new bone, and it avoids harvesting a bone graft from the patient's own hip or using bone from a deceased donor."
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110906152501.htm
ck and my neck today is as if I never had a problem. He fused 3 vetabrae. since then on Sept 17,2012 He did the same proceedure on L- thru L-5 and I went in today forpost op x-rays and my bone is in fact growing back. I could see the 4-5 white new grwths. I am excited for complete recovery. Stem cell seems to be working for me. I had my st fusion L4-L-5 35 yeas ago, and at that timethey took 40 chips of bone from my hip to make a fusion.. well.. 1 sidefaiedand now.. I am lookig forwardto this new tech.. tech.. ahh what ever.. It'sbeen two months since surgery and already new bone growth. so I imagine all will be fine..