Stem Cell Cure Hope For Back Pain

Stem Cell Research Trial for Back Pain

Note: This Story was originally published by BBC News In November 2006

A patient’s own stem cells could soon be used to cure chronic back pain, say researchers.
The team from the University of Manchester hope their treatment will be available within three years.

They are perfecting a way to rebuild the soft shock-absorbing discs which separate the vertebrae in the spine.

Damage to these intervertebral discs (IVDs) is a common cause of debilitating low back pain which affects around 12 million in the UK. A treatment which effectively cured the problem could potentially save the UK economy as much as £5 billion a year.

The new therapy, developed by Dr Stephen Richardson, uses mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adult bone marrow to regenerate spinal discs. MSCs are a class of stem cell which can grow into many different cell types, including bone, cartilage, fat and muscle.

Dr Richardson has succeeded in turning MSCs into the cells which make up the gel-like nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue separating the vertebrae. He plans to begin pre-clinical trials next year, with full patient trials to follow on.  Dr Richardson said: “Once we have extracted the bone marrow from the patient and have purified the MSCs, they will be grown in culture and our patented method of differentiation will be applied.

“They will then be embedded within a gel which can be implanted back into the patient.” No rejection

Since the stem cells are taken from the patient’s own body, there is no chance of them being rejected by the immune system.

The gel is based on a natural collagen similar to one already used for the treatment of cartilage defects.

It is implanted using an arthroscope, a thin tube device slipped through a small incision in the back. Dr Richardson said there was no reason why a patient should not return home on the same day as the procedure, or the day after.

He said: “Once implanted, the differentiated MSCs would produce a new NP tissue with the same properties as the original and would both treat the underlying cause of the disease and remove the painful symptoms.”

Currently, low back pain is treated with a combination of painkillers, physiotherapy or surgery. In severe cases tissue is removed to relieve the pain, or vertebrae fused together.

However, success is limited, and these techniques do not solve the root cause of the problem.

Dries Hettinga, research and information manager at the charity BackCare, said: “This is a really exciting area of research and although it is still early days, the initial results look very promising.”

Considering the Cost of Cervical Fusion vs. Disc Replacement

Artificial Cervical Disc Surgery Cheaper Than Fusion

– Kevin McKeever
HealthDay
Posted: 2008-04-28 19:05:04

Note: This article was funded by ADR Manufacturer Medtronic, maker of the FDA Approved prestige Cervical Artificial Disc. The real cost of surgery is not just in the upfront expenses.

MONDAY, April 28 (HealthDay News) — Treating cervical degenerative disc disease by surgically implanting an artificial vertebrae onto one’s spine may cost more initially than a traditional disc fusion operation, but it saves the patient almost $6,000 within two years, according to a new study.

The cost savings is primarily from the patient’s ability to return to work sooner after surgery and his or her need for fewer follow-up procedures.

The study — which was funded by Medtronic, the maker of the artificial cervical disc — was expected to be presented April 29 at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, in Chicago.

More than 200,000 procedures are performed each year in the United States to relieve compression on the spinal cord or nerve roots. The most common involves spinal fusion surgery to unify two or more vertebrae in an effort to strengthen the spine and alleviate chronic neck pain.

A year ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the first, and to date only, artificial cervical disc in certain cervical spine surgeries. Medtronic’s PRESTIGE disc is a stainless-steel device with a ball-in-trough design, held in place with bone screws.

Researchers conducting a cost-benefit analysis on 541 patients who received either the artificial cervical disc (arthroplasty) or fusion surgery found arthroplasty saved the patient an average of $5,988 over two years following the surgery.

The cost of initial surgery, secondary procedures and medical devices per patient and the average initial procedure cost were both higher for arthroplasty patients than for fusion patients; however, the artificial disc recipients saved long-term, because they needed fewer secondary procedures and returned to work following surgery an average of 38 days sooner than fusion patients.

The return to work alone yielded a gain in work productivity of $6,368, the report said.

“From a societal perspective, the economic benefits associated with these outcomes may offset the increased device costs associated with arthroplasty therapy,” said study presenter Dr. Vincent C. Traynelis, of the University of Iowa, in a prepared statement.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clarity of the Bryan(R), Prodisc-C(R), Prestige LP(R), and PCM(R) Cervical Arthroplasty Devices.

Diagnostics
Spine. 32(6):673-680, March 15, 2007.
Sekhon, Lali H. S. MBBS, PhD, FRACS *; Duggal, Neil MD, FRCS(C) +; Lynch, James J. MD, FRSC I *; Haid, Regis W. MD ++; Heller, John G. MD [S]; Riew, K Daniel MD [//]; Seex, Kevin MBBS, FRACS, FRCS [P]; Anderson, Paul A. MD **

Abstract:
Study Design. Prospective, randomized, controlled and double-blinded study on imaging of artificial discs.

Objective. The purpose of this study is to compare postoperative imaging characteristics of the 4 currently available cervical arthroplasty devices at the level of implantation and at adjacent levels.

Summary of Background Data. Cervical arthroplasty is being performed increasingly frequently for degenerative disc disease and, in most cases, with frank neural compression. Unlike lumbar arthroplasty, performed mainly for axial back pain, decompression of neural elements may need to be confirmed with postoperative imaging after cervical arthroplasty.

Methods. Preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans of 20 patients who had undergone cervical arthroplasty were assessed for imaging quality. Five cases each of the Bryan(R) (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN), Prodisc-C(R) (Synthes Spine, Paoli, PA), Prestige LP(R) (Medtronic Sofamor Danek), and PCM(R) devices (Cervitech, Rockaway, NJ) were analyzed. Six blinded spinal surgeons scored twice sagittal and axial T2-weighted images using the Jarvik 4-point scale. Statistical analysis was performed comparing quality before surgery and after disc implantation at the operated and adjacent levels and between implant types.

Results. Moderate intraobserver and interobserver reliability was noted. Preoperative images of patients in all implant groups had high-quality images at operative and adjacent levels. The Bryan(R) and Prestige LP(R) devices allowed satisfactory visualization of the canal, exit foramina, cord, and adjacent levels after arthroplasty. Visualization was significantly impaired in all PCM(R) and Prodisc-C(R) cases at the operated level in both the spinal canal and neural foramina. At the adjacent levels, image quality was statistically poorer in the PCM(R) and Prodisc-C(R) than those of Prestige LP(R) or Bryan(R).

Conclusions. Postoperative visualization of neural structures and adjacent levels after cervical arthroplasty is variable among current available devices. Devices containing nontitanium metals (cobalt-chrome-molybdenum alloys in the PCM(R) and Prodisc-C(R)) prevent accurate postoperative assessment with magnetic resonance imaging at the surgical and adjacent levels. Titanium devices, with or without polyethylene (Bryan(R) disc or Prestige LP(R)), allow for satisfactory monitoring of the adjacent and operated levels. This information is crucial for any surgeon who wishes to assess adequacy of neural decompression and where monitoring of adjacent levels is desired.

(C) 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Video: Lumbar Spinal Fusion for Fracture

Actual Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Although the background of this patient is not revealed in the Video it is clearly a trauma as there is discussion of a fracture and whether the patient will regain use of his legs. I am showing this video so those who have not seen spinal surgery can get a “feel” for just how it’s done and the tools that are used. Warning to those with a weak stomach; this is very graphic. Note the use of force and the instruments used to place the rods and bone grafts.

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Health Resources :: Physician Websites :: Self Health Help

These sites are making a difference in the Health of Humankind in our opinion thus we believe you should make them part of your every day reading.

Health Resources: Health Sites and Doctors trying to make a difference

· Doctor Yourself
· Gordon Reseach Institute
· Backpain Free
· Berkley Wellness
· Benzodiazepines
· Dietitian.com
· Dr. Mercola
· Amalgam.org
· EWG.org
· CureZone
· Jonathan Campbell
· Life Extension
· Oxford University
· Linus Pauling Institute
· Dr. Theo
· W. Price Foundation
· NCCAM
· WholeHealthMD
· Not Milk

* Disclaimer: We are not Doctors nor is any of the information presented here on HealthSynergyRx.com “medical advice”. This is a posting of our own research. Consult your Doctor or Medical Care professional BEFORE you decide upon any treatment options.

Organic Foods -Just Say YES!

Fresh whole unprocessed foods grown without the use of pesticides, chemicals, or hormones. Yep the way they were grown up until Corporate America discovered Chemical Manufacturing and huge profits altering the food supply! Even ordinary people with no real interest or understanding of the corruption and depletion of our food supply can understand the benefits of not consuming pesticides. If the chemicals kill bugs it only makes sense they are not healthy for our body. Organic foods may not be the “cure” but at least they are not contributing to the problem. Be smart and go with organic foods.

What does certified organic mean?

Certified organic refers to agricultural products that have been grown and processed according to uniform standards, verified by independent state or private organizations accredited by the USDA. All products sold as “Organic” must be certified. Certification includes annual submission of an organic system plan and inspection of farm fields and processing facilities. Inspectors verify that organic practices such as long-term soil management, buffering between organic farms and neighboring conventional farms, and recordkeeping are being followed.

Processing inspections include review of the facility’s cleaning and pest control methods, ingredient transportation and storage, and recordkeeping and audit control. Organic foods are minimally processed to maintain the integrity of food without artificial ingredients or preservatives. Certified organic requires the rejection of synthetic agrochemicals, irradiation and genetically engineered foods or ingredients. To find out more about the national organic certification requirements and organic program, please go to the USDA National Organic Program website www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

Reasons to Eat Organic Foods

Your health

Organically grown fruit and vegetables are not covered in a cocktail of chemicals – even after washing, a conventionally grown apple may have 20 chemicals on its skin.

Conventionally grown fruit and vegetables contain more water and less vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants than organically grown produce.

Even processed organic food is better for you as manufacturers are banned from using many of the most harmful additives such as hydrogenated fat, MSG and artificial flavourings and colourings.

Taste

Organic food simply tastes so much better than “normal” food. Carrots that actually taste of carrots, apples that go zing in your mouth and really chickeny chicken. Try organic and see for yourself!

Genetically Modified Foods (GM Foods)

You can be safe knowing that you won’t be eating genetically modified (GM) food. Intensively farmed animals are often fed on GM soya and much of the world’s production of cotton and rice are now GM. You can register your protest by buying organic produce.

Cost

While organic food may cost slightly more on the supermarket shelves, the true cost of conventional food is much higher. The BSE crisis cost nearly £4 billion and we support the conventional farming industry through our taxes. The Soil Association say that it costs £120 million a year to remove chemicals from drinking water, most of which are pesticides used in farming.

The countryside

Intensive farming methods can lead to soil erosion, the destruction of ancient hedgerows and the extinction or near-extinction of hundreds of our natural animals, birds and plants.

The Soil Association believes that organic farming is the best way to reverse the decline in wildlife by:

• Crop rotation so the soil is kept fertile and avoid the use of chemical fertilizers
• Mixed farming where different crops are planted together
• Encouraging natural predators so there is no need to use pesticides

Animal welfare

The Soil Association insists on stringent animal welfare standards. Animals must have access to fields and are fed mainly on clover and herb rich grass, just as they would in the wild. They are given comfortable bedding and more space when they are housed and are often treated with herbal or homeopathic drugs when ill.

And it’s not just food

Recent years have seen a huge growth in the number of organic clothing and toiletries ranges available. Once hard to come by and very expensive, companies such as Green Baby and The Natural Nursery are making organic baby clothes, nappies and toiletries accessible to all.

Many of the same arguments apply: the cotton industry accounts for 25% of the world’s insecticide use and it takes around 150 grams of hazardous chemical pesticides to grow enough cotton to make one t-shirt!

Arabella Greatorex is the owner of http://www.naturalnursery.co.uk, an online store selling organic and fairly traded products for families including organic clothing and bedding, fairly traded toys, natural toiletries, cloth and eco-disposable nappies and soft shoes.

Editors Note: Pesticide use is a World Wide problem! Outside the USA in Developed European countries people are becoming more concerned about food additives and GM (Genetically Modified) Food’s upon their health. Visit the Organic Farming Research Foundation for more information. Stand up and make a difference.

Find Your Health Book at Amazon and Read the Reviews

Since I’ve become ill I’ve found it difficult to get out and about to the Bookstore. There are many ways to buy books but I’ve found purchasing products from Amazon to be the most convenient. The prices are always great and the shipping is often free. But the very best part is the user reviews. I really like to know what other people think about a book or a product before I buy it.

The Liver Cleansing Diet by Dr. Sandra Cabot MD

Liver Cleansing Health Book Review: Now here is a diet that makes sense to me. I am not overweight if anything I struggle at times to maintain a certain weight. It’s basically because I have eliminated transfats, dairy, artificial sweeteners, refined sugars and flours. It’s really pretty hard to stack on weight if you are eating a diet of “REAL” or “NATURAL” foods.

I love this book for this reason - It makes sense. The immune system takes care of you, the liver takes care of the immune system, and the food you eat takes care of the liver. Thus Healthy Liver = Healthy YOU! Does that make sense to you? Most people never even think about their liver! They think of “burning fat” but they don’t know what that means. They think of “counting calories” - but counting calories is not a nutritional approach to anything. A calorie is simply a unit of measure. Which is healthier 250 calories from refined white sugar or 250 calories from a salad of tossed greens? See the logic in counting calories? There is none. The latest trend of course is counting carbs? Why? Do you know the exact ratio of carbs to fats to proteins at which you body type will operate optimally? Neither do I! So you may be counting carbs and actually causing more harm than good. What kind of diet is that?

Dr. Cabot’s book is about CLEANING THE LIVER, let me say that again CLEANING THE LIVER. Now you see why it makes sense. Clean your liver and let you body take care of itself. The “Diet” isn’t about losing weight (but it will certainly do that for those of you who are overweight and eating the “wrong” foods) it’s about HEALTH. A clean, healthy, functioning liver will take care of you. And the only real way to get your liver it’s healthiest is by feeding it the foods it needs to do it’s job. READ THIS BOOK AND FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO BE EATING. It’s easy, understandable reading. It took me about 3 hours. You may need to go buy a coffee grinder or a food processor, but it’s worth it. How many of you would spend 3 hours of your time and less than $20 for a book that can dramatically improve your health and extend your life? I think most of you. Of all the books I’ve read on Nutrition I’ve found this to be most beneficial.

SuperFoodsRX by Dr. Steven Pratt

SuperFoodsRX Health Book Review: I first learned of this book while channel surfing a year or two back and seeing Dr. Pratt on Oprah Winfrey. Oprah knows how to get topics that are of value and not just Human Interest Hype. I love the lady, I think she’s awesome, and the most sincere mega wealthy person on the planet. From humble beginnings to super stardom and still hasn’t lost her sense of compassion. Anyways back to Dr. Pratt’s book. Dr. Pratt is Ophthalmologist (Eye Doctor) practicing in Southern California. He has a keen interest in Nutrition. I loved this book when I first read it, but I have curbed my enthusiasm somewhat since continuing my nutritional research.

Dr. Pratt’s 14 Superfoods include Soy (Which in my opinion should not be consumed) - I won’t get into my reasons but they have to do with Big corporate dollars and the advertising machine. Soy has many many downsides which you can research yourself online. Another of his Superfoods is Yogurt, which is a dairy derivative (although it can be made from other types of milk and soy). Dairy has so many potential health risks - again I’ll let you do your own research. Salmon is listed as a SuperFood, but those of you adverse to Mercury would be well advised to avoid fish, especially farmed fish fed food pellets.

Overall the book is good reading and he lays out a convincing case for his choice of foods (which coincidently or not are showing up in government literature to some extent). Chicken or egg who borrowed from whom? Who cares, doesn’t matter. It’s a good read and can form a solid basis for some of the foods you should be including in your everyday diet.

Amalgam Illness, Diagnosis and Treatment by Andrew Hall Cutler PhD PE

This is neither light reading nor is it general in scope. This is a very specific text of information for those who have Amalgam fillings (For those of you who don’t know Amalgam is the Silver material used to fill teeth where cavities are drilled out). Amalgam is about half mercury, and mercury is a Toxic poison. There is no dietary need for mercury in the human body. We will leave our discussion about mercury to another area of the site and continue on with what this book can do for you.

Now I am neither a genius nor a dullard, but I can tell you this book is written as a reference not a step-by-step “How To”. Anyone who believes they have Amalgam Poisoning needs to get this book and GET IT FAST. If you are too ill to read it yourself get a compassionate (And that means a person who is on your side and will back you no matter what) friend or relative to read it for you or with you. This book is designed as an aid for both you and your doctor (and how to find a doctor that is willing to help) to discover if you really do have Amalgam Illness and how it can be treated so you can be cured. The key is determining if you really have the Amalgam Illness.

Personally I purchased and read this book because I had over 21 Amalgam surfaces in my mouth (in 13 teeth some as old as 24 years). There are specific protocols that MUST be followed by your dentist when removing Amalgam. When you see the word Amalgam I recommend you think DANGER! Removal is not to be taken lightly. Again this is not the place to discuss removal protocol, it’s about the book. I found the book invaluable in helping me decide how to proceed. I chose to have all my Amalgam removed and replaced with composite materials. While I do not believe I have/had full blown Amalgam illness I do believe that I was showing some signs of potential mercury poisoning. After learning what I could about the potential problems caused by mercury (And this book will outline plenty of dangers and how they effect the biochemistry of the body) I chose to take the safe course, follow protocol and get them the hell out of my mouth. You’ll have to decide for yourself. But if there is even the slightest bit of doubt buy this book and read it as soon as you can. Dr. Cutler is not just a noted Chemist he’s a survivor of Amalgam Illness, and while he doesn’t write it full blown Dr. Terms he also doesn’t write in a manner that is too difficult to understand. Had you been assigned this book to read in High School Chemistry it would bore you, but if you think you have Amalgam illness you will devour it like I did.

This book is also meant to be used by your doctor to help determine if you have the illness, to what extent, and how to cure your of the disease. Please take special note: This is a real disease (The ADA can kiss my rosy red ass) that does affect a small percentage of the population, and there is hope. It’s tough to get help in a climate of ignorance and denial, but this is help so don’t turn it away.

Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution

There is a saying that goes something like this:

“Those who say it can not be done should not get in the way of people doing it.”

Atkins Health Book Review: I do not know where the saying comes from, but feel it applicable to Dr. Atkins philosophy and his diet materials. While many would call Dr. Atkins a “Quack” among other things, they are missing the point of the book. The point is there are ways to change your body’s metabolism to burn more fat. This is done through the reduction of carbohydrates. This is not the only way to lose weight of course, there are many variables that we will not get into. I enjoyed this book, although there is no way I would attempt to completely follow his diet, because I personally do not find it to be nutritionally balanced for my own needs.

Don’t get me wrong, while many would poo poo away Dr. Atkins work as nutritionally dangerous (And it might be) they are missing the point again. The point is there are nutritional ways to change your diet. Now I don’t personally believe that Dr. Atkins ever intended anyone to eat a half dozen eggs and a pound of bacon everyday for the rest of their lives (perhaps I’m wrong, I never met the doctor and he did die of a heart attack at age 72 - attributed by his family as being due to a virus).

I believe many will benefit from this book as it offers hope and information on how to change your metabolism. You take a little something from everything you read. There is no doubt Dr. Atkins work has had a huge impact on pop culture and the diet craze that seems to never end. Decide for yourself. There is information within that I found worth knowing. Please as with all diets, you should contact your doctor and work out a plan with them. The trick of course is finding a Doctor that will really listen to you and work with you instead of the egotistical “Dr. Knows” best approach. You’ll know the difference when you talk to them.