Stem Cells in Advanced Osteoarthritis

A patient with joint problems inquires:

Can stem cell therapy help in case of advanced osteoarthritis?

Usually it takes 3 months until stem cell therapy of osteoarthritis shows a noticeable improvement of symptoms, that means a reduction in pain, increased mobility, as well as regeneration of cartilage. In case of advanced osteoarthritis it holds that the more advanced, the more inconvenient and the more effort has to be made to achieve regeneration. That means: More stem cells, repeated treatments, therefore higher treatment costs.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Hair Loss: Stem Cells Can Help

Recently we did a treatment against hair loss. The young man suffers a lot from the fact that he begins to lose hair over the past years, like his father. He travelled to Vienna from Switzerland just for the therapy.

Treatment with stem cells begins with a liposuction, in which a small amount of the patient’s own fat gets obtained gently with the help of microcannulas. Valuable stem cells are extracted from the obtained fat immediately afterwards and injected into the areas affected. Stem cells generate signals which promote regeneration of hair follicles. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, the effect occurs within a few weeks.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Stem Cell Banking: Precaution for the Future

Our body fat contains so-called stem cells whose regenerative potential is currently investigated in many studies worldwide.

Regenerative stem cell therapies have the potential to regenerate weakened tissues and organs and could be used in the treatment of many diseases which are caused by weakness of organs and tissues in the future.

Stem cell therapy is still regarded as a novel treatment by traditional medicine and stem cells are certainly not a miracle cure for every disease. However, based on the current state of knowledge we are convinced that stem cells could revolutionize medicine in a few years.

Promising Research Results

There are numerous scientific studies worldwide in which the body’s own (autologous) stem cells of the patient have been applied for the therapy of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, joint problems, nervous disorders, endocrine diseases, but also many other degenerative processes.

The current research findings suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of the body’s own stem cells in asthma, ulcerative colitis, erectile dysfunction, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer, ALS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, and circulatory disorders.

Stem cells seem either to differentiate directly into cells of the particular organ, or their effect is based on substances they secret.

Stem Cell Banking: Storing Autologous Stem Cells for the Future

In cooperation with a specialized Swiss stem cell bank we now offer storage of the body’s own stem cells.

The patient’s autologous stem cells are stored in Switzerland for at least 10 years. The durability of the stem cells is ensured for a minimum period of 20 years according to hitherto research results.

First, we harvest a small amount of the patient’s body fat. The Swiss stem cell bank then extracts the stem cells therefrom and stores them.

The stem cells stored in the stem cell bank do not age and can be used in compliance with the applicable legal framework for future therapeutic purposes.

We are gladly at your disposal for further information and for arrangement of appointments.

Your Team at Clinic DDr. Heinrich®

Scar Removal and Scar Revision Using Stem Cells

A patient asks by e-mail about stem cell application in scar revision surgery:

Can you remove an unsightly scar on my knee by using stem cells?

Most unsightly scars, like the one on the patient’s knee, have to be surgically revised, which means that the scar tissue has to be cut out. Stem cells can be administered during the revision surgery und can help making the wound heal better than without stem cell application. The required stem cells are extracted from a small portion of the body’s own fat which is obtained gently using thin microcannulas. The resulting scar will be much less visible than the original unsightly one.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Stem Cell Therapy in Baldness

A patient with hair problems wants to know about hair growth therapy with stem cells:

Can you also treat bald spots on the scalp and how long does the treatment/result take?

Baldness can be treated with stem cells isolated from the body’s own fat. The treatments duration is about 2 hours and the result can be recognized after about 5 to 6 weeks.

Do you have scientific results? Publications, etc.?

The application of stem cells for the purpose of hair regeneration is currently subject of research. We have compiled some publications regarding therapy with stem cells from autologous fat.

Can hair treatment with stem cells revert androgenic alopecia?

It is possible to delay alopecia, or to be precise, to let hair grow at those areas where vital hair roots still exist. That means if you already start the therapy at an early age hair loss could indeed be prevented.

Are stem cells an alternative to hair transplantation?

Yes, but the indication is different. Hair transplantation is the preferred therapy for treating completely bald heads, but the less suitable therapy for the treatment of areas with hair loss and beginning baldness.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Stem Cell Treatment of Skin Defects and Scars Caused by Laser Treatments

A patient asks about skin regeneration with stem cells from autologous fat:

I underwent multiple laser treatments of my skin. Afterwards skin defects appeared, with severe redness and scars. Can stem cells be used to rebuild a new skin? What can stem cells do?

They can help to regenerate and rebuild the skin, smooth out skin defects as well as improve the appearance of scars.

In the beginning of scar treatment with stem cells a small amount of fat gets obtained from the patient by liposuction. Stem cells extracted from this fat are immediately afterwards injected into the skin areas concerned, where they support skin regeneration.

Scar treatments with stem cells take place on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The patient is able to resume normal social activities already on the following day.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Stem Cell Therapy for Genetic Diseases

A patient asks regarding stem cell therapy:

Is stem cell therapy effective also for the treatment of genetic diseases or just at those illnesses not caused genetically?

Autologous stem cells are better suited for diseases which are not caused by genetic defects. In therapy for specific genetic disorders you will rather use donated stem cells which do have other genes.

Gene therapies, in which human genetic material is modified by exchanging genes aren’t yet in sight currently, because they founder on inserting genetic material into body cells in a risk-free way.

We keep you informed about new findings regarding stem cell therapy and gene therapy.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Human Genome Also Contains Genes of Bacteria and Fungi

Obviously there is a so-called “lateral transfer” of genetic material between different organisms. Even human genes include genetic material of bacteria and fungi, as could be evidenced recently. This “horizontal gene transfer” improved for instance the immune system and metabolism of our ancestors, the primates.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Stem Cells after Traumatic Brain Injury

A patient asks about stem cells extracted from the body’s own fat tissue:

I need a stem cell therapy due to an accident I had with my bicycle. Since this accident I am suffering from brain damage. How are the stem cells injected in stem cell therapy?

In such cases stem cells used to be injected directly into the brain or spinal cord in the past. However, this type of therapy should be avoided because of its high complication rate (injuring of brain vessels by the injection instrument, infections).

Stem cells also find their way into the brain or the spinal cord when simply injected into the bloodstream, which has been proven by scientific studies. In my clinic we exclusively choose safe, well-tested implantation ways like intravenous administration.

DDr. Heinrich, MD

Treatment of Hair Loss with Stem Cells

A patient asks regarding hair growth therapy with stem cells out of the body’s own fat tissue:

I am 39 years old, taking finasteride for 10 years due to hair loss, and now I am planning to discontinue taking these in the medium term. Could stem cell therapy help me?

Absolutely. We have gained very positive experiences with treatment of hair loss, as well as with thin hair. Within a few weeks new hair grows in areas where no hair existed (longer) before. The treatment is not suitable for people with complete baldness.

The regenerative effect of a treatment with stem cells can be imitated to a certain degree with a micro-needle mesotherapy with specially tailored growth factors. The combination of both hair treatments is possible.

DDr. Heinrich, MD