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Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research

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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Research article

Why and how to use the body's own stem cells for regeneration in musculoskeletal disorders: a primer

Authors: John P. Furia, Mark A. Lundeen, Jason L. Hurd, David A. Pearce, Christopher Alt, Eckhard U. Alt, Christoph Schmitz, Nicola Maffulli

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Recently, the management of musculoskeletal disorders with the patients' own stem cells, isolated from the walls of small blood vessels, which can be found in great numbers in the adipose tissue, has received considerable attention. On the other hand, there are still misconceptions about these adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) that contain vascular-associated pluripotent stem cells (vaPS cells) in regenerative medicine.

Methods

Based on our previous publications on this topic, we have developed a concept to describe the significance of the ADRCs/vaPS cells in the field of orthobiologics as briefly as possible and at the same time as precisely as possible.

Results

The ADRCs/vaPS cells belong to the group of orthobiologics that are based on autologous cells. Because the latter can both stimulate a patient’s body's localized self-healing power and provide new cells that can integrate into the host tissue during the healing response when the localized self-healing power is exhausted, this group of orthobiologics appears more advantageous than cell-free orthobiologics and orthobiologics that are based on allogeneic cells. Within the group of orthobiologics that are based on autologous cells, enzymatically isolated, uncultured ADRCs/vaPS cells have several advantages over non-enzymatically isolated cells/microfragmented fat as well as over uncultured bone marrow aspirate concentrate and cultured cells (adipose-derived stem cells, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells).

Conclusions

The use of ADRCs/vaPS cells can be seamlessly integrated into modern orthopedic treatment concepts, which can be understood as the optimization of a process which—albeit less efficiently—also takes place physiologically. Accordingly, this new safe and effective type of treatment is attractive in terms of holistic thinking and personalized medicine.

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Title: Why and how to use the body's own stem cells for regeneration in musculoskeletal disorders: a primer
Authors: John P. Furia
Mark A. Lundeen
Jason L. Hurd
David A. Pearce
Christopher Alt
Eckhard U. Alt
Christoph Schmitz
Nicola Maffulli
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1749-799X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-022-02918-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Why and how to use the body's own stem cells for regeneration in musculoskeletal disorders: a primer

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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