Wiener Bezirksblatt: Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Problems

Driving the Car Again

Ottilie Ebner suffered from pain in the wrist for a long time. For decades she had worked as a nurse. In her job she has put too much stress on her hands. Everyday life became a problem.

Writing. In search of a suitable therapy, she consulted the Viennese doctor DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich. “Ms. Ebner could not even write anymore,” says the doctor. He proposed a stem cell treatment to Ottilie Ebner. In the course of the treatment a small amount of the patient’s fat was harvested. The so-called mesenchymal stem cells contained therein were then injected in the area of the affected wrist. A few weeks later, the hand was free of pain. “Today, the patient is able to write again and drive a car,” says DDr. Heinrich.

Free of pain. Mrs. Ebner underwent treatment of the pain in her wrist by Dr. Heinrich. Heinrich. Stem cell therapy helped.

Wear and tear. “Pain is often a sign of wear or inflammation of the joint. Exercise, such as sports, can further damage affected joints,” the doctor explains. “In addition to protection, the treatment of the joint problem is the first priority.”

DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich, MD
Phone: +43 1 532 18 01

Published in Wiener Bezirksblatt on July 2, 2018.

Krone: Knee Treatment with Fat Stem Cells: “I Can Dance Again!”

A 79-year-old woman reports about the success of her knee treatment with fat stem cells

Ms. V. has always been very agile, be it when dancing or traveling around the world. Terrible knee pain severely restricted the vital 79-year-old and forced her to give up her hobbies. After a successful treatment of the knee osteoarthritis with her own fat stem cells she is now able to walk again without pain.

The pain in the knee progressively worsened over the years. “I was always on my feet, strolling in the town, dancing passionately – having to give it up was very stressful for me,” Mrs. V. looks back. After all, Ms. V. could hardly take care of the household because of her painful knee wear. Everyday life became a challenge.

The active senior did not want to accept this situation. Artificial joint replacement and surgery under general anesthesia were out of the question for her. Then she learned of a gentle alternative: Stem cells contained in body fat can contribute to the regeneration of damaged joints, as proven by scientific studies worldwide.

Every human has a large supply of their own stem cells, which can be used to treat joints such as hips, knees, and fingers. As a result of the treatment, damaged joint structures, such as worn cartilage, can regenerate to some degree.

Clinical studies prove efficacy. “The transplantation of the body’s own stem cells apparently supports the body’s ability to heal itself in case of joint problems,” explains the Vienna-based doctor DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich. His clinic, founded in 1994, focuses on body fat and its components. “With this treatment, one can relieve pain in many cases, restore joint mobility, and keep natural joints functional,” the physician says. In the meantime, numerous clinical studies on patients from all over the world confirm the effectiveness of the method.

The stem cell joint treatment of Ms. V. was a small surgical procedure under local anesthesia. First, a small amount of the patient’s body fat was harvested by means of a thin cannula. During the procedure stem cells were separated from it and immediately injected in the area of the affected joint. After that, Ms. V. was released home. The next day, she returned for the check-up.

After the treatment, the knee pain gradually decreased. About two weeks later, Ms. V. was completely free of pain and fully mobile. The rest pain in the knee had disappeared. “I can now stand on my feet and cook without any problems,” the satisfied patient reports. She is now able to masters her everyday life again.

In the ball season, the “dress rehearsal” for Ms. V. came: After the long pain-related break, she attended a dance event. To her great joy, she was able to dance almost as she did in her youth and enjoy the evening on the dance floor without pain. Ms. V. reports happily: “I could easily keep up with my legs even in the fast boogie-woogie.”

Her doctor DDr. Heinrich is pleased with the recovery of his patient: “A timely treatment of damaged joints with stem cells could help many younger and older patients to improve their quality of life.” Ms. V. also owes new zest for life to the regained mobility: Next she wants to fulfill her dream and travel to Morocco…

DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich,
Contact Clinic: ☎ +43 1 532 18 01, info@ddrheinrich.com

Published in Krone Gesund on May 25, 2018.

Patient Report on Knee Treatment with Stem Cells

Our patient underwent a treatment of the knee joint with stem cells from his body fat. Since then almost one and a half years have passed. The following interview with the patient gives an insight into his story: Why did he decide to undergo this surgery? How did he experience his treatment? What has changed in his life after the procedure?

Have you been diagnosed with osteoarthritis prior to the joint treatment with your own stem cells? Or did you just experience pain in the joint whose cause was unknown?

Osteoarthritis, confirmed by several arthroscopies.

In case it had been osteoarthritis, how far had it progressed when it got treated with stem cells?

I remember that the wear was at a rather advanced stage and the doctors recommended an artificial joint.

To what extent have you been restricted by your pain in your everyday life?

Dramatically. The knee hurt even when at rest. Driving my car, climbing stairs, and standing were almost impossible.

Was treatment of the pain unavoidable for you?

Yes, because I could no longer climb stairs and limped, not to mention sports.

Did the doctors try to treat your pain by other means such as cortisone or  hyaluronic acid injections? Or was the stem cell treatment your first choice?

I have tried various treatments before my stem cell treatment, including arthroscopic surgery, but to no avail. Then my way led me to DDr. Heinrich, who treated the affected knee with my own stem cells.

Were your joint problems at such an advanced stage that you would have had to get an artificial joint as an alternative?

I was probably advised to get an artifical joint, but I did not want that.

Was your treatment carried out on an outpatient basis?

Yes, under local anesthesia.

Did your doctor give you specific instructions for the days following the procedure? Have you been prescribed bed rest or similar?

I was mobile immediately after surgery and I got the advice to avoid painful activities.

How long did you have to wait for your knee to fully recover after the treatment?

After three weeks I was able to do sports and after four weeks skiing.

When did you first see signs of improvement in your joint after the treatment? How did you notice these?

After two weeks. The pain slowly declined.

Which positive changes (e.g., being able to climb stairs more easily, running more easily)?

Climbing stairs was much easier, especially when climbing up the stairs. I did not want to run because I wanted to avoid straining the knee. The mobility of the knee generally improved.

Are you still satisfied with the result of the procedure? Or, for example, are you still experiencing joint pain or other discomfort in your knee?

Yes, I am still very satisfied. For almost one and a half years I have been free of pain and fully mobile again.

Can you move your knee without restrictions in everyday life?

Yes, both in everyday professional life as well as in sports during leisure time.

Have you been treated with stem cells only once, or did you undergo repeat treatments?

Once only.

Has the result of your procedure been positive to such an extent that you believe you will not have to get an artificial joint in your life?

Yes, I hope so.

Did you feel at risk when deciding to undergo the stem cell treatment since stem cell therapy is rather new and there is no guarantee for long-term success?

No, because only my own cells have been injected, no chemical substances with unknown side effects. And there are no treatment guarantees or long-term guarantees anyway.

Have you changed your behavior since your stem cell treatment? For example, do you do more exercise or take care of your knee through various measures?

I am doing sports again like in the past. I am just a little more careful.

In summary, do you think treating your knee with your own stem cells was the right treatment for your pain and limitations?

Yes, absolutely.

Researchers Unravel the Role of Stem Cells in Joint Regeneration

Study from Vienna gives insight into the healing process of cartilage damage

Vienna (2018-02-27) — The body’s own stem cells show remarkable success in the treatment of joint problems such as osteoarthritis and sports injuries. This is proven by scientific studies on patients worldwide. The stem cells required for the treatment can be obtained from body fat. So far, it was not known in detail how the stem cells contribute to the regeneration of the joints. New research findings now provide an answer.

The current study on the animal model shows that mesenchymal stem cells transplanted in damaged tissue stimulate the already existing stem cells for regeneration. As a result, defective joint structures, such as worn cartilage, can regenerate to some degree. Ideally, the pain subsides and the affected joint regains mobility.

“The transplantation of the body’s own fat stem cells strengthens a natural healing mechanism and helps the body to repair the defect on its own,” explains DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich, physician working in the field of regenerative and aesthetic medicine from Vienna. In his Clinic DDr. Heinrich®, tissue damages such as joint wear, sports injuries of joints, and scars are treated with stem cells from autologous body fat.

Until recently, scientists have not been able to study the fate of transplanted cells in the body for a longer period of time. The researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, used a newly developed procedure to mark stem cells before transplantation. Thereby they were able to observe the role of the stem cells in the regenerative processes over a period of 6 months.

The regenerative abilities of stem cells are already used in human medicine today: In the Clinic DDr. Heinrich® joint treatment with autologous stem cells is performed as an outpatient procedure in local anesthesia. First, a small amount of the patient’s body fat is harvested. Therefrom mesenchymal stem cells and other vital cells (Stromal Vascular Fraction, SVF) are separated during the procedure. The SVF is immediately injected into joint areas where regeneration is needed.

“Stem cells from the body’s own fat provide a gentle alternative for many patients for whom surgery under general anesthesia or an artificial joint replacement is out of the question,” says DDr. Heinrich. Patients suffering from joint disease could be spared the time-consuming rehabilitation, off time, and the constant intake of pain medications.

Further information: https://stemcelltherapy.cc/joints

Contact:
Clinic DDr. Heinrich®
Contact: Herfried Wagner
E-mail: info@ddrheinrich.com
Web: https://ddrheinrich.com/
Phone: +43 1 532 18 01

Krone: One Year after Stem Cell Knee Treatment: “I Still Go Skiing!”

Patients report: Fat stem cells for knee problems

Even one year after a knee treatment with his own stem cells, star hairdresser “Charly” Plasil is racing down the slope on his skis without pain

Strong pain in the knee took the owner of the well-known Viennese hairdresser OSSIG hairstyle & beauty, Karl “Charly” Plasil, to the clinic of the doctor DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich – for stem cell treatment. Four weeks later, the famous hair artist went skiing again. Recently, he returned home from a sporty winter holiday…

Mr. Plasil tells the history himself: “In my job I have to stand the whole day. My hair salon right next to St. Stephen’s Cathedral is on the upper floor. I climbed the stairs up and down about 50 times a day! I kept fit with skiing and cycling as well as Nordic walking.” At some point the strain left its traces on the knees. Mr. Plasil: “The pain got worse and worse. I was pretty handicapped in my job, and finally doing sports was also out of the question. I did not dare to dream of ever being able to ski again…”

The celebrity hairdresser did not want an artificial joint and general anesthesia, thus he sought and found another option: “From my longtime customer DDr. Heinrich I learned about a new method of treating joint damage with stem cells from the body’s own fat. After unsuccessful attempts with medication, physiotherapy, and even arthroscopy, I also saw this as a chance for me!”

DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich focuses on body fat and its potential applications in medicine for about 20 years: “Initially, I used the patient’s own body fat primarily for aesthetic procedures. About 10 years ago it was discovered that stem cells from fat tissue have a high potential for the regeneration of damaged tissue.”

It has been found that these stem cells can therefore play a major role in the healing of injuries. DDr. Heinrich: “By transplanting the patient’s own fat stem cells we strengthen the natural healing mechanism – thereby we help the body to repair the damage on its own!”

In the meantime, numerous scientific studies worldwide prove this regenerative function. Incidentally, the treatment can basically be done on all joints, i.e., knees, hips, wrists, or fingers.

How does the treatment work? DDr. Heinrich: “I take a small portion of fat from the patient by means of a thin cannula. Therefrom stem cells are separated during the procedure and immediately thereafter injected in the area of ​​the affected joint. The treatment is carried out in local anesthesia and takes about 3 hours. Then the patient can go home and come back again for check-up the next day.”

Karl Plasil still remembers the long-awaited relief: “The pain got noticeably better pretty quickly. I never thought that I would be able to do sports after four weeks without any complications! It’s also great not to limp anymore in my job!”

However, it was not certain whether the success would last. Now this question can be answered, as Mr. Plasil reports: “This year, one year later, I got on my skis again. I was able to wedel down the slope like in the days before my knee problems! Now I am looking forward to the spring, where I will ride my bike again!”

DDr. Heinrich was able to convince himself of the recovery of his patient during the check-up. Of course, he is pleased by the success: “The treatment with stem cells from body fat can even spare severe operations or artificial joints in many cases.”

DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich, contact clinic:
☎ +43 1 532 18 01, info@ddrheinrich.com

Published in Krone Gesund on February 17, 2018.

Puls4: Free of Pain Thanks to Stem Cells

Almost every sixth Austrian suffers from joint problems. Especially skiing in the winter time can lead to knee pain. Now a new therapy for the treatment of joint pain is available. The patient’s own stem cells are injected into the affected area.

Watch the report (in German language), in which Puls4 tells the story of Viennese celebrity hairdresser Karl “Charly” Plasil of OSSIG hairstyle & beauty, who can ski again without pain after a knee treatment with his own stem cells.

Wiener Bezirksblatt: When Cells Heal

New treatments with stem cells

Medicine | Stem cells are regarded as a hope for new therapies in medicine. Their application is already standard in the treatment of leukemia. For many years the use of fat and its components for health and beauty are at the center of the Viennese doctor DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich. He treats patients with their own stem cells. “We are now able to say that stem cells from body fat are beneficial to patients who suffer from a range of diseases,” explains Heinrich. “The stem cells are particularly suitable for repairing damaged body tissue, such as joint problems like osteoarthritis and sports injuries.” Skin damage and thinning hair can also benefit. The advantage of the new treatments with the body’s own cells is that only a minor surgical procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

Published in Wiener Bezirksblatt on December 4, 2017.

Migraine: Can Stem Cells from Body Fat Help?

About every tenth person suffers from it: Headache attacks, accompanied by nausea and increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, known as migraine. The duration of the headache, which mostly radiates unilaterally into the neck, is very variable, but can last from several hours to some days. Affected people mostly complain about the heavy emotional distress due to the recurring pain.

In spite of intensive research, the cause of migraine still has not been fully understood. By now we know that so-called trigger factors cause seizures via a stimulus. Among them are hormonal factors, for example stress, but also certain food products and pharmaceuticals. In order to temporarily ease the symptoms in case of urgencies painkillers and drugs are given for blocking the “nausea receptors” located in the brain.

Fat Stem Cells Help Migraine Patients

Now the sufferers can draw new hope. In the course of a study on patients American scientists found that stem cells extracted from body fat may contribute to the relief of migraine. Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) has been separated from a small portion of adipose tissue. Fat tissue has a high content of vital cells such as mesenchymal stem cells. Afterwards, the SVF has been injected into the area of shoulders and neck.

In the study the New York Headache Center surveyed adult women and men who suffered from chronic therapy-resistant migraine for multiple years. The scientists defined a reduction of the MIDAS score as a goal. This score measures the degree of a patient’s impairment by migraine and also the reduction of quality of life. The treatment showed success: Already three months after the stem cell treatment the score declined by almost one third.

As the study proves, the transplantation of stem cells isolated from body fat could spare migraine patients the frequent intake of medication and therefore may have a positive impact on the improvement of their well-being.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Krone: Wrist Osteoarthritis: “I Can Write Again!”

Treatment with fat stem cells helped nurse Ottilie Ebner to cure long-term, painful wear in the right wrist.

Author: Dr. med. Wolfgang Exel

Due to increasing pain in the right wrist nurse Ottilie Ebner gradually lost her autonomy over the years. She did not want put up with this any longer and decided to undergo treatment with stem cells from her own body fat. Today she is free of pain and can master her daily life like 20 years ago.

When working as nurse Ottilie Ebner was used to help to needy people. So much the better she knows how important autonomy in everyday life is for quality of life. Decades of hard work in the hospital left traces: Years ago she had pain in her wrist for the first time while opening a bottle. The pain only went on to get worse. Daily routines turned into difficult tasks. The Diagnosis: Osteoarthritis of the right wrist joint.

“I could neither write nor dry my hair, wire wipes or iron my clothes,” she recalled. Driving a car and visiting the fitness center were also impossible. Physiotherapy and medication only relieved the pain for a short while. “When I heard that fat stem cells helped to treat joint pain, I was intrigued,” says Mrs. Ebner.

She then contacted the Viennese doctor DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich. Fat and its components have been at the center of DDr. Heinrich’s medical activity for years: “Fat tissue has a high content of vital cells that contribute to the regeneration of injuries. In the joint treatment we support this self-healing mechanism of the body by implanting autologous fat stem cells.”

In the course of a small surgical procedure under local anesthesia DDr. Heinrich first harvested a little portion of fat from Ottilie Ebner using a thin cannula. During surgery so-called mesenchymal stem cells were extracted from the fat and immediately injected in the region of the patient’s wrist.

About two hours later the procedure was done and Ottilie Ebner could leave the clinic. “Following the procedure ideally the tissue regenerates, inflammations disappear, pain is relieving and the wrist becomes motvable again,” DDr. Heinrich explains. A series of clinical studies confirm this effect.

Finally relief for Mrs. Ebner: “The pain declined day by day.” Already few weeks after the procedure she was completely free of pain in the right hand and could write again. “I am meanwhile able to drive the car and enjoy my recovered autonomy,” the satisfied patient reports. Recently she has started with fitness training again.

Physician DDr. Heinrich is delighted by this success: “For patients who suffer from movement limitations and chronic pain due to joint problems it is very relieving when they regain mobility and are free of pain.” Treatment with fat stem cells offers many patients for whom artificial joints or surgery under general anesthesia are not an option a gentle alternative.

Contact: DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich: ☎ +43 1 532 18 01, info@ddrheinrich.com

Published in Krone Gesund on October 21, 2017.

Krone: Knee Pain: Fit for the Match Again!

Severe pain put the Austrian national league basketball player Max Neugebauer suddenly out of action. But of course a top sportsman does not give up! After some unsuccessful therapy attempts, the 21-year-old athlete decided to undergo treatment with stem cells from his own body fat. Now he is again free of pain and ready for his comeback!

Author: Dr. med. Wolfang Exel

Since his 13th birthday Max Neugebauer has been an avid basketball player. After all, he is “predisposed” by the family: As a child, he cheered his father at games. Thus it is no wonder that his own sporting successes were not long in coming ­– top spots in the youth league, national champion, youth national team, offers from America.

Unfortunately, the hard training quickly left traces. Max Neugebauer: “Suddenly I got pain in both knees. I had to finish the season ahead of time. Conventional treatment methods did not bring any lasting improvement. Then I saw my chance with stem cells from my fat!”

The Viennese doctor DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich is specialized in this method. He has been using body fat for many years for health and beauty: “Fat serves, for example, as a basis for breast augmentation, but also for the regeneration of damages to joints and other body tissues. By the way, the healing potential has been confirmed by scientific studies.”

In the joint area, a small surgical procedure is sufficient. DDr. Heinrich: “By implanting fat stem cells we fortify a natural healing mechanism. Damaged tissue recovers, ideally, inflammation disappears, pain subsides, and normal mobility returns.”

The process: Under local anesthesia DDr. Heinrich first harvested a small amount of body fat from Max Neugebauer with a small cannula. During the procedure, so-called mesenchymal stem cells were separated and immediately thereafter injected into the region of both knee joints. After the two-hour procedure, the patient could leave the clinic on his own feet, so to speak.

“Even at the first training session about one week after the treatment, the pain had already gone to such an extent that I did not need a break,” the athlete rejoiced. In the meantime, he is completely free of complaints and highly satisfied: “I have been training intensively at my club since recently and I am working on getting myself in top shape again. Perhaps it will work with America after all…”

Also DDr. Heinrich is very satisfied with the development: “The young man is again fully fit. Stem cells are generally suitable for all ages. Many young and elderly people who suffer from injuries or wear-and-tear could be helped by relieving pain without artificial joints.”

Information: ☎ +43 1 532 18 01. info@ddrheinrich.com

Published in Krone Gesund on May 27, 2017.