Cellular Therapy for Spinal Injuries
What are Spinal Injuries?
Spinal injuries occur when the spinal cord or spinal nerves become damaged, which results in the impairment of strength, muscle movement, sensation, or control. Spinal injury results from damage to the spinal cord, ligaments, vertebrae, or spinal column disks. A traumatic spinal injury happens from a sudden impact to the spine that sprains, fractures, dislocates, or crushes the muscles or vertebrae of the spine, leaving pain, mobility loss, impairment, or paralysis. Injuries are often caused by events like motor vehicle accidents, falls, or sporting activities but can also be caused by disease or congenital problems. The location of the injury along the spine and the severity of the injury will determine the neurological level of the injury.
What is Cellular Therapy?
Cellular therapy is the transfer of intact human cells into a patient to replace or repair damaged tissue or cells. The cells used to originate in the patient and the type of cells administered depends on the treatment. The cells can transform into any cell type in the body, like blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle cells, bone cells, or the neurological network. Cellular therapy has two phases of treatment- firstly, the initial traumatic damage is repaired, and secondarily, the systemic inflammation that causes prolonged damage is alleviated. Cells target the area of treatment and repair the tissue. For example, the vascular system or neurological network might be targeted and the goal is to repair the damage and return function to that area. With time, the targeted area functions better and therefore, has increased mobility and sensation.
Can Cellular Therapy be Used to Treat Spinal Injuries?
Cellular therapy aims to replace damaged tissue caused by disease, trauma, or congenital problems. When trauma occurs to the spinal structure or neurological network, early treatment can slow the progression of inflammation that can cause secondary damage. The goal is to administer cells and allow a regenerative event to occur, in which the spinal cord attempts to repair itself and return to normal function. Healing the neuronal network helps ensure nerve pathways’ integrity and reconstruct nerve function. Risk is minimal and patients usually see results quickly. Treatments aim for partial pain relief to occur a few weeks after treatment and complete pain relief to occur a few months after treatment.
How Nashville Regenerative Can Help
Dr. Ethan Kellum and his are specifically trained in providing cellular therapy treatments for spinal injuries. There are over 200 treatments available for back pain. When conventional therapies cease to reduce pain, interventional and cellular therapies may be your best course of action. These are minimally invasive, and done with precise imaging to ensure accuracy and definitive relief from your pain.
To learn more or contact our team about cellular therapies for spinal injuries, fill out the form below. Someone will be in touch shortly regarding consultation and diagnostic appointments.