In relative discretion, articles like this one make me think that stem cell work is going on for patients all over the US and it doesn't have to be classified as a clinical trial, especially if there isn't much risk with the route of administration and the cells are the patient's own.
Hailed as a new technique, an orthopaedic spinal surgeon Dr. Robert Johnson at San Antonio's Methodist Hospital performed a surgical procedure for a 66 year old patient who suffered from disc degeneration and arthritis which has led to a narrowing of his spinal canal- leading to nerve compression and consequent debilitating back and leg pain.
The procedure involved the fusion of 3 vertebrae in the patient's back and placing in stem cells which will help the spine to fuse successfully (like a bone graft, but its constructed by stem cells). The stem cells are obtained from the patient himself, from the bone marrow where a large-bore needle is inserted into the patient's pelvis and 2 large syringes of marrow are extracted. The marrow is spun in a centrifuge to obtain the stem cells, which are then soaked into a synthetic, spongy collagen pad and placed on the vertebra to aid grafting of the cells onto the bone (which might otherwise float away).
It is already well known that stem cells originating from bone marrow have the capability to form blood, nerve and bones. The doctor is harnessing this knowledge to help his patients recover faster and hopefully, better. The doctor is optimistic that the stem cells will provide reliable and consistent fusion and reduce the chances that the patient will require future surgeries (nice!). He also notes that since it is the patient's own cells, the likelihood of problems is small and the operation itself is straightforward for him.
Given that the surgeon has already performed this procedure on more than 30 patients in the last 3 months, I think that this is interesting work and should be continued. 3 months of follow-up on the patient's condition is significant. If the healing is improved then it would be great if the doctor would share the technique and which brand of collagen pad he is using.
It would be great if we could use the collagen pads for other types of surgeries too, where stem cells need a little help to stick to the site of injury.
Dr. Johnson's Bio and Contact Details are as follows:
ROBERT G. JOHNSON, MD
DR., Orthopedic Spinal Surgery
Office:
4410 Medical Dr
Suite 610
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Phone: 210-614-2453
Fax: 210-614-4907
Status: Active
Facilities: Methodist Hospital
Organization: Neurosurgical Associates of San Antonio, P.A.
Medical school: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Internship: St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Residency: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Board-certified: 1986
Gender: Male
Memberships: American Academy of Orthopaedic surgery, American College of Surgeons, North American Spine Society, TMA, Bexar County Medical Association, Physicians Who Care
Special practice interests: Spine
Insurance accepted: Most Medical Insurances accepted, please call office to verify.
Additional languages spoken: English, Spanish
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