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Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries: The brand new Frontier<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - Spinal cord injuries are injuries that occur to any level of the spinal cord. Although the hard bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues of the spinal cord, vertebrae can nevertheless be broken or dislocated in a number of ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries vary inside their severity, but almost inevitably lead to various forms of compromised functionality since the spinal cord is in effect the key pathway for information to visit around the human body. Precisely what body functions are impaired through the injury will depend on the location of the spine that's been damaged and the extent that the spine has been affected. Although serious impacts for example falls and automobile accidents account for many spinal cord injuries, tumors growing near to the column can also damage sensitive nerve tissue and have the same effects.<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Injections] - For years scientists have been attempting to try and find a way to remedy the various ailments that spinal-cord injuries can bring, however with limited success. However, in recent years a pioneering new technology has emerged that is helping thousands of people around the world regain part, it not exclusively, of their previously lost mobility. That treatment is the use of stem cells.<br /><br />What exactly are Stem Cells and Stem Cell Treatments?<br /><br />[http://www.kneestemcells.com Knee Stem Cell Treatment] - Stem cells are simply in all multi cellular organisms and are characterized by their ability to tell apart into a diverse array of specialized cells when they divide and renew themselves. They are remarkable for their capability to regenerate themselves into just about any human cell. Their use in the treatment of various diseases and scenarios, from Leukemia to Ms, is now becoming more common. Depending on the condition, stem cells may be transplanted into the patient to help renew and regenerate previously damaged cells, giving patients renewed hope when, before, no reliable treatment existed.<br /><br />This principle is currently being applied to the treatment of spinal cord injuries using stem cells, plus instances where the patient hasn't experienced a complete spinal cord injury, i.e. an entire severing of the spinal cord leading to a loss of function beneath the 'neurological' level. There has been great success in helping patients recover greater sensory and physiological ability.<br /><br />Spinal-cord Injury: How Stem Cell Treatment Works<br /><br />If you have trauma to the vertebrae, myelopathy (damage to the fibres that carry messages to and from the brain) has occurred. These 'myelinated fibre tracts' are the focus of stem cell treatment, and therefore are the nerve cells the treatment helps to regenerate. The process usually follows three phases and often requires no longer than a period of around five weeks in medical treatment for monitoring:<br /><br />Phase one requires the harvesting of stem cells. The cells are extracted from a fetus's umbilical cord. They are then put through an activity whereby they are isolated and purified before they are finally cultured being suitable for clinical use.<br /><br />Phase two is the transplantation of the stem cells. This is accomplished in one of three ways:<br /><br />1) Lumbar puncture - a procedure used where stem cells can be injected directly into the spinal column.<br /><br />2) Intravenous injection- stem cells are injected in to the patient's vein.<br /><br />3) Tissue injection - direct injection into target tissues.<br /><br />Phase three requires the monitoring of the patient to ensure there are no adverse side effects. The only side effects reported up to now were caused by the lumbar puncture, and never the stem cell treatment itself, with only 15% of patients reporting mild headaches. At that time under medical supervision, patients undergo various physiotherapy activities as well as other treatments as necessary.<br /><br />Stem Cell Research and Treatment in China<br /><br />China is fast becoming a world leader in stem cell research, and is now a major centre for that stem cell treating many diseases and conditions. The Chinese government has poured millions of dollars into research on regenerative medicine, and that investment has really borne fruit in the last few years. As a result of this expanded investment, Chinese contributions to scientific journals on regenerative medicine topics leapt from 37 in 2000 to 1,116 in 2008, exceeded only by the contributions of experts in america, Germany, Japan as well as the UK.<br /><br />The government in addition has aggressively recruited high-caliber scientists trained abroad in search of its ambition to become world leader in the field. Indeed, the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health commented that, "the government's policy of attracting highly educated Chinese nationals back to China has contributed significantly to the country's success in the field." The authors were "amazed that almost all the top Chinese researchers within the regenerative medicine field have been educated in the US and the UK and gained extensive practical knowledge there in innovative research."<br /><br />Although previously treatment in China could have been considered risky as a result of lax health and safety laws, the past few years have seen an increase in legislation protecting the patient, and improving the functionality of clinics. Since 2009, proof safety and efficacy through numerous studies is required by China's Ministry of Health for all stem cell and gene therapies, making sure Chinese clinics meet international standards in their qualifications and methodology. As of January 2010, about 1,500 patients had received botox cosmetic injections for spinal cord injury at one Beijing clinic alone, including roughly 1,000 foreigners.<br /><br />Additionally, China has long held a spot at the forefront of stem cell research to treat all manner of conditions. Some of China's notable contributions to stem cell research are: <br /><br />By transferring the nucleus of the human skin cell in to the immature ovum cell of a rabbit, researchers from a Shanghai hospital successfully produced embryonic human cells.<br />China up to now has created at least 25 human embryonic stem cell lines (some estimate over 70 stem cell lines), four which are of a specialized type that during those times only two other groups worldwide had was able to create.<br />Harboured several human tissue types, created artificially, including blood vessel, tendon, bone, cartilage, skin, cornea and muscle fibre.<br />Furthermore, Chinese researchers are currently involved with a myriad of projects to help aid patients through regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy. Below are several projects underway within Chinese institutions: <br /><br />ChinaSCINet, a consortium of 27 medical facilities, are beginning phase 2 numerous studies to test the efficacy and safety of employing cord blood stem cells and oral lithium to take care of about 40 patients with vertebrae injuries.<br />Clinical trials are underway on the use of stem cell therapies to take care of patients of strokes, artery obstruction, and liver and neural diseases.<br />Studies are underway on the potential utilization of stem cells to deal with heart, liver and blood diseases, eye cataracts, and also to combat aging.<br />Testimonials from the Treatment of Spinal-cord Injuries in China<br /><br />Many people of all ages and with varying degrees of injury have received stem cell treatment in China during the last few years. It is important to keep in mind that not every patient will react and more, and that the age of the individual and the severity of the damage greatly affect the chances of recovery. However, there were many success stories from both Chinese citizens and foreigners.<br /><br />Before her treatment began in January 2006, Ms. Pai, 38, from Shenyang couldn't move her body beneath the injury site, and was unable to control her bowel movements. Within 8 months from the treatment she regained movement in the her legs, could bend her knees (although the toes of one foot remained paralyzed) and was even able to walk with crutches.<br /><br />Razvan Iordache, a Romanian citizen aged 30, travelled to China for a number of bouts of stem cell treatment following any sort of accident while diving into a river that left him paralyzed from your neck down. Following his treatments, Razan reported in 2008 that does not only could he are now using his arms almost normally, and could feel pain in many of his fingers, he could "even feel warm and cold" sensations. He continued to add the following: "Now I will control my urine for 10 minutes and the sensation for urine and stool is more preferable. Generally, my entire body is more powerful than ever before."<br /><br />Donald Maricelli, a 54 yr old US citizen, suffered a spinal cord injury carrying out a fall in 2002. He underwent a surgical procedure to correct his insufficient sensation in his lower body, however there have been complications and Donald remained in a worse state than ever before. Before arriving for treatment in China, he was still being unable to walk unaided. Following the treatment, which commenced in November 2007, Donald makes significant improvements. He regained sensation throughout most of his abdomen, as well as the sensation in his legs also improved. Particularly significant, the sensation on the bottom of his feet went back, helping him to walk without tripping. Most critical to Donald was he regained control and strength in the left leg, allowing him just to walk significant distances and indicate prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />There are many more success stories from patients who've received this pioneering treatment to assist correct varying levels of spinal cord injury. However, it is always important to remember that not all patients recover exactly the same functions in the same period of time. A lot of hard work adopts the post treatment rehabilitation, also it takes great drive, determination and ambition make it possible for the body to get back to more regular functionality. However, the task being done by scientists and clinics in China indicates time and again that stem cells hold an essential key to the future of helping individuals with spinal cord injuries recover their lost functions. Each month, more and more people are travelling to various cities round the country that offer different packages of treatment based on precisely what injury continues to be inflicted. The level of service has improved greatly in recent years, and continues to improve every month, meaning that those unfortunate enough to get suffered spinal cord injuries need no more feel theirs can be a lost cause. There is a very real chance that the standard of living of any patient can be improved with little pain, little hospital time, along with a little motivation. The existing evidence shows that stem cell therapy for spinal-cord injuries is the way forward.