Stem cell therapy is a part of an innovative approach at the forefront of medicine called Regenerative Medicine, which has also gained much popularity in the fields of orthopedics and sports medicine. This promising and an innovative approach in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine is called Orthobiologics, and includes other advanced and perhaps more familar biologic therapies such as PRP and PRGF injections. These types of treatments, including stem cell therapy, are based on the natural biological healing properties and potential of the human body. In certain scenarios, stem cell therapy can be combined with various surgical procedures in order to optimize surgical outcomes and to maximize the healing potential.
In the human body, stem cells harness the potential and capability of develope into a variety of different cells from various lineages (i.e, cartilage, bone, tendon, ligament and muscle tissues), potentially regenerating new tissue. These properties make Stem cells suitable for the treatment of various orthopedic conditions, including osteoarthritis/cartilage degenerative disease, cartilage defects/injuries, fracture nonunion, ligament tears, tendon tears and inflammation, osteonecrosis/Avascular necrosis (AVN) etc.
Treatment Procedure
.Bone marrow or fat tissue collection/ harvesting
The concentrated stem cell product is injected into the target area/tissue
The collected tissue
is subjected to a designated processing procedure
The stem cell concentrate product is extracted from the processed tissue
First, bone marrow or fat cells are collected/harvested from the patient’s body. The cells are then isolated from the harvested bone marrow or fat tissue using a designated device, then processed, concentrated and injected into the damaged area. The duration of the procedure is approximately 30-60 min, and can be carried out in clinic or in the operation room (O.R). In some cases, during the procedure, a minimally invasive camera is inserted into the injected area (for example, the knee joint) via needle arthroscopy to allow for better accuracy.
Suitable for treatment of a variety of orthopedic problems
Recognized by the insurance companies
Safer treatment
Capable of improving and accelerating healing processes
Stem cell therapy safety
The use of materials collected from the patient’s own body during stem cell therapy makes it extremely safe. In fact, complications related to this type of treatment are extremely rare, and even when they occur, they usually involve minor symptoms, mainly related to a temporary local reaction.
Stem cell therapy for athletes
The ability of stem cell therapy to accelerate healing, is especially important for athletes in general and for professional athletes in particular. Elite athletes use stem cell technology worldwide for the treatment of various injuries, in order to minimize the duration of their injury and time away from sport as well as to accelerate their return to regular activity with better healing tissue properties. However, Orthobiologics and stem cell therapy, is not only for the professional athlete and amateur athletes who work towards certain goals and adhere to a training schedule, can also benefit from these therapies for a faster and safe return to their training and activity routines.
Yaniv Yonai, MD
Expert in surgical orthopedics and sports injuries, one of the first to practice orthobiological treatments to achieve improvement and acceleration of healing process, Dr. Yonai actively practices this field of medicine both in Israel and abroad.
Tel-Aviv, Haifa, Hadera
Lior Laver, MD
Expert in surgical orthopedics and sports injuries, Dr. Laver is highly experienced in joint injections, and is currently the Chairman for the ESSKA European Committee for Orthobiological Treatments.
Tel-Aviv, Rishon Lezion, Kfar Saba
Yaron Berkovich, MD
An expert on orthopedic surgery and joint replacement, Head of the Orthopedics Department in the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center. Dr. Berkovich participates in the development of groundbreaking medical technologies.
Tel-Aviv, Herzliya, Haifa
