Regenexx Stem Cell Procedures Explained

Stem cells live in all of us and they act as the repairmen of the body.  However, as we age or get injuries, we sometimes can’t get enough of these critical repair cells to the injured area. The Regenexx Procedures help solve this problem by amplifying the body’s natural repair process. This is accomplished by harvesting cells from areas known to be rich in mesenchymal stem cells and then concentrating those cells in a lab before precisely reinjecting them into the damaged area in need of repair.

Bone Marrow AspirateThe Regenexx™ stem cell procedures begin when the doctor thoroughly numbs the back of the hip (PSIS) and takes a small bone marrow sample through a needle.   This is different than a bone marrow biopsy which can be painful.  The sampling procedure we use is called a bone marrow aspirate, which is often described by patients as being comfortable.

In addition, some blood is also taken from a vein in your arm. These samples are sent to the lab, which is part of the medical practice.  These cells are processed and then re-injected into the area in need of repair using imaging guidance (real time fluoroscopy or musculoskeletal ultrasound, using your MRI to plan the injection). They can either be processed the same day (U.S.) or cultured for about two weeks to get more cells (culturing only available through a company that has licensed the procedure for use at a Cayman Islands facility).

Regenexx Lab Processed Bone Marrow Derived Stem CellsFor the same day procedure (Regenexx-SD™), using our advanced clean room lab, our trained staff isolates the mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow sample. These cells are then injected back into the injured area on the same day, with natural growth factors found in your blood platelets. The goal is to deliver much greater numbers of stem cells to the injured area than your body would deliver on its own.  This same day procedure is available at any number of Regenexx Network providers around the United States. For much greater detail about the procedure, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s).

What makes Regenexx procedures different than other same day stem cell procedures being offered?  First, we don’t use a one size fits all centrifuge to prepare cells, we use a sophisticated lab that is part of our medical practice.  Second, while some practices add platelet rich plasma to their stem cell concentrate, we use a proprietary “super platelet” mix.  The birth of this “super platelet” mix was a series of lab experiments we ran in 2009.  By mixing lab prepared PRP (slow release growth factors) and platelet lysate (immediately available growth factors), we were able to get adult stem cells to grow many times more than just PRP or platelet lysate alone.  What does this mean for you?  Our lab tests show that we can get more stem cells to grow with Regenexx-SD than other same day procedures using bone marrow stem cells.

Stem Cell Treatment ResultsWhat are the results?

For our same day procedure,  based on our registry collected data, more than 9 in 10 patients by 6 months had some relief of their knee arthritis pain. Click here for an infographic explaining these results.

[Disclaimer: The Regenexx same day procedures (-SD, -AD, -SCP, -PL-Disc, etc...) are preformed in the United States. The Regenexx-C cultured stem cell procedure is only offered through RegenexxCayman, which is an independently owned and operated medical services provider operating exclusively in the Cayman Islands and is not part of or affiliated with the Centeno-Schultz Clinic or any U.S. Regenexx Network provider. The Regenexx-C procedure licensed by RegenexxCayman is not approved by the U.S. FDA for use in the United States.]