What Is Stem Cell Therapy and How Is It Performed?
Stem cell therapy is one of the most innovative and effective treatment methods in modern medicine. Subcutaneous human fat tissue is a rich source of stem cells—specifically mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)—which are widely used in various therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine. This therapy involves the use of stem cells (adipose-derived stem cells or ADSCs) extracted from the patient’s own fat tissue. The clinical use of stem cell therapy is rapidly expanding due to its promising results across a wide range of conditions.
Characteristics and Functions of Stem Cells
Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any cell type in the body. Due to their capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into various cell types, they hold great potential in medical treatments. When injected into a damaged area, stem cells differentiate into the local cells and form organized tissue. This provides a significant advantage, especially for tissue repair and regeneration. By replacing the cells naturally found in injured tissues, stem cells accelerate the healing process and thereby improve patients’ quality of life.
In prolotherapy, dextrose is injected to stimulate the body to send repair cells to the targeted area, initiating the healing process. In stem cell therapy, stem cells are directly injected into the damaged region to promote localized healing. This method enables rapid and effective tissue repair. Stem cell therapy works by harnessing the body’s own healing mechanisms and is therefore considered a natural and minimally invasive approach.
Harvesting of Stem Cells
Stem cells are obtained from abdominal fat tissue through a procedure called Lipocell. This process is performed in an operating room environment under anesthesia or sedation. After the fat tissue is harvested, stem cells are isolated from the tissue and directly applied to the damaged area. This method is safe because it uses the patient’s own natural cells, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions.
The Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) is a product derived from the lipoaspirate obtained during fat removal. Lipoaspirate, which is typically considered a waste product, contains a broad population of stem cells known as adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). The stromal vascular fraction of fat tissue includes preadipocytes, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial progenitor cells, T cells, B cells, mast cells, and is a rich source of macrophages from adipose tissue. These cells carry out various biological activities that accelerate and support the tissue healing process.
Applications of Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is most commonly applied to joints. It provides effective results, especially in joint osteoarthritis, meniscus injuries, and other musculoskeletal system problems. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition caused by the wear and tear of joint cartilage. This leads to joint pain and restricted movement. Stem cell therapy helps regenerate the joint cartilage, alleviating these symptoms and improving joint function.
Meniscus injuries are particularly common among athletes. The meniscus is a cartilage tissue in the knee joint that acts as a shock absorber. A torn meniscus can cause severe pain and limited mobility. Stem cell therapy promotes the repair and regeneration of meniscus tissue, allowing patients to recover faster and more effectively.
However, if there are no healthy cells left in the damaged area—for example, in cases of advanced knee osteoarthritis where the cartilage is completely worn away—stem cell therapy may not be beneficial. Therefore, the patient group that benefits most from stem cell therapy are those in the early stages of the condition. Early-stage patients experience maximum benefits as tissue repair and regeneration occur more effectively.
Stem cell therapy is typically administered in a single session, with effects appearing approximately six months later. While it is a therapeutic method, it requires time to show full results. During this period, patients usually observe significant improvements in their quality of life. The adaptation of stem cells to the tissues and the regeneration process take time, so patience and adherence to the doctor’s instructions are essential.
Combination Therapies with Stem Cell Treatment
Stem cell therapy can be administered in combination with other treatment methods. It is often combined with prolotherapy, neuroprolotherapy, and PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapies to enhance treatment effectiveness. These combination therapies activate different healing mechanisms within the body, providing a more comprehensive and effective approach. For example, PRP therapy delivers growth factors that accelerate the healing process in the area where stem cells are injected. Prolotherapy supports healing by using irritant solutions that stimulate tissue repair.
These combination treatments help patients achieve faster and more lasting results. They can be particularly effective in cases involving chronic pain and tissue damage. Each treatment method works through a specific biological mechanism to promote tissue repair and regeneration.