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Spine Surgery Vs. Stem Cell Therapy: What To Know

About This Blog:

  • There have been an increasing number of ads run lately for stem cell therapy, and many of these advertisements claim this treatment technique is just as effective as surgery.
  • While this new treatment option does have some promising benefits for patients suffering from certain degenerative conditions, the jury is still out on whether or not stem cell therapy produces proven results.
  • In this blog, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine explains what patients should know about stem cell therapy as a replacement for spinal surgery.

Various injection therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and stem cell therapy, have gotten a lot of press lately. Some patients have experienced remarkable results with these products while others have not. Still, many orthopedic, pain management, and spine surgery practices are offering this treatment option for patients with muscle, tissue, tendon, or ligament damage.

While many research studies have demonstrated the benefits of this therapy, there is still much research that needs to be done before a physician or an accrediting body can determine whether or not stem cells are capable of completely healing an injury or degenerative disease.

Currently, stem cell therapy and PRP injections are not approved by the FDA, which means these services are not covered under health insurance plans. This fact, however, should be the least of your concerns. While PRP injections and stem cell therapy are pending approval with the FDA, they can still be used for “off-label use.”

What does this mean and how is this possible? We’ll explain: both therapies do not use an artificial or manufactured product that requires a long-term safety evaluation. During a PRP injection or stem cell therapy, a physician uses the patient’s own blood and healing properties to treat their injury or condition. Patients are not technically at risk of developing adverse effects from a chemical that was produced in the lab because no such thing happens for this treatment.

Additionally, the FDA approves the equipment used to extract and harvest stem cells. Therefore, physicians can administer this treatment option while still following certain laws, even if it’s not technically FDA-approved. Ultimately, a patient is subjected to a type of clinical trial every time they’re treated with one or both therapies. There is a possibility that the treatment might not work, and most physicians will explain this to a patient before administering the treatment.

Nevertheless, there are some doctors out there looking to make a quick buck, so it’s important patients are informed about these treatment options. Because the FDA does not regulate PRP injections and stem cell therapy, physicians can make up their own price for the service.

The choice is yours, and Dr. Giovanini may recommend either treatment option if he thinks it’ll help. Regardless, spine surgery is a tried and true method for healing damage in the spine caused by a degenerative disease, so call NeuroMicroSpine today to schedule an appointment with the surgeon himself. He will review your diagnosis and determine the best form of treatment for you!

For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.

We hope to see you soon!

The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.