STEM CELL THERAPY
Traditionally, options for patients suffering from sports-related injury or a degenerative condition such as osteoarthritis have been limited. Patients whose conditions were not severe, and who were not yet ready for a surgical solution, were afforded less invasive options such as cortisone or steroid shots and physical therapy, which can provide temporary relief from pain and swelling. However, patients with more serious conditions were required to undergo invasive surgical procedures (i.e. total joint replacement) to find any relief from their painful symptoms. Luckily, ground-breaking medical innovations have led to another option: stem cell therapy.
Unlike surgical treatment options, this revolutionary technology is minimally invasive, but offers a more permanent solution than traditional cortisone/steroid injections because it harnesses and maximizes the body’s natural self-healing abilities. The tissues of the body that are most vulnerable to sports injury or degenerative conditions—muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments—have a limited capacity for repair and self-healing.
Stem cell therapy, which utilizes adult stem cells or amniotic stem cells taken from the amniotic sac (controversial embryonic stem cells are not utilized at any point), can help in several ways:
- Stem cells contain natural anti-inflammatory agents, such as cytokines, to help control swelling and inflammation.
- Stem cells are comprised of powerfully high concentrations of hyaluronic acid, a critical agent required to lubricate and re-grow cartilage
- The natural growth factors found in stem cells have been shown to stimulate repair and growth in damaged tissue.
- Because stem cells have a proven ability to develop into different kinds of cells, when they are injected into compromised areas they can help the body re-grow damaged cartilage, muscles, and other tissues, thereby expediting the healing process
For patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis, tendonitis, ligament or tendon tears, plantar fasciitis, and even bunions, stem cell therapy offers a safe, effective, permanent way to promote self-healing so patients can quickly get back onto their feet and resume their active lifestyle.
CONTACT DR. GOUGH
Brandon Gough, M.D. is an orthopaedic expert specializing in the treatment of orthopaedic problems caused by sports injury, osteoarthritis, and other degenerative orthropaedic disorders. Dr. Gough operates his own orthopaedic practice out of the prestigious Orthopaedic Institute of the West in Phoenix, Arizona. He also has operating privileges at Scottsdale Abrazo and Thompson Peak Hospital in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. He specializes in state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical approaches to orthopaedic problems, including stem cell therapy and micro-invasive and robotic surgical techniques. Staying abreast of the latest medical innovations allows Dr. Gough to assess every patient’s unique needs quickly and correctly, and offer the widest range of possible treatment options, ensuring a more permanent, effective solution to each individual’s unique problem.
If you would like additional information about Dr. Gough’s orthopaedic practice, or have questions about how stem cell therapy can help you, please contact our office today. We look forward to speaking with you, and to scheduling your initial consultation with Dr. Gough.