Does stem cell therapy help with spinal arthritis?

Question

Hello doctor,

My uncle is 68 and has severe spinal arthritis and nerve compression, which are limiting his mobility. He was told that surgery is risky at his age, so he is now being offered stem cell injections at a private clinic that claims the treatment can reduce inflammation and even regenerate damaged tissue. It sounds a little too good to be true.

They said the stem cells are derived from “his own fat cells,” but the procedure is very expensive and not covered by insurance.

Are there any FDA-approved uses of stem cells for conditions like his?
How can we distinguish between scams and treatments that might actually be beneficial?

Please advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The process you are referring to involves taking fat tissue from a patient, isolating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from it, and then injecting those cells into the affected joint. These stem cells are believed to have regenerative properties, which may be helpful in treating conditions such as osteoarthritis. Orthopaedic stem cell treatment is often considered a promising option for patients with degenerative disc disease, arthritis of the spine, or chronic low back pain. In one study, five out of 12 patients who received only stem cell therapy reported reduced pain two years after treatment.

However, it is important to note that currently, there are no FDA (Food and Drug Administration)-approved adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) products for bone regeneration. While ADSCs have demonstrated safety in various clinical trials, their effectiveness, particularly in bone and disc regeneration, remains highly debated.

I hope this helps answer your questions.

Best regards.