Bone Marrow Treatments
Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Clemente and Orange County, CA
Bone Marrow treatments are regenerative therapies that use stem cells harvested from a patient’s own bone marrow. Once the stem cells have been isolated, they can be introduced to other parts of the body, where they begin the healing process. Treatments with bone marrow stem cells are minimally invasive. This regenerative treatment allows doctors to isolate an essential resource, and offer patients an improved quality of life without the need for medication or surgery. Stem cells are such a powerful form of treatment because these cells can adapt to become a variety of other different cells, which allows them to repair many different areas of the body.
Personalized Regenerative Medicine offers bone marrow treatments to treat orthopedic, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions. Whether you’re suffering from a long-term condition or a sudden injury, your body has the tools necessary for stopping the pain and starting the healing, and Dr. David Steenblock has made it his mission to unlock that potential for each of his patients. If you’re ready to learn more about how your bone marrow can help you achieve long-term results, schedule a personal consultation at our San Clemente offices. You can speak with one of our helpful team members by calling 949-367-8870. We’re looking forward to meeting you.
Contents
To the Marrow
Did you know that bone marrow is considered an organ and that it’s one of the largest organs in the human body? It contributes to about 5% of your body weight and is found inside the central cavities of the long bones in the arms and legs. It’s also found in the lacy structure of other more porous areas of the bones, where this concentration of marrow and fat allows the bone to absorb shock. Bone marrow is the major producer of blood cells in our body and contains valuable stem cells that are responsible for the essential production of blood, as well as fat and bone cells. (1)
Stem Cells
Stem cells are useful in regenerative medicine because they have the ability to adapt to the body’s needs in injured areas and can transform (differentiate) into the cells that are required for healing. The truly fascinating thing about stem cells is that they also can undergo unlimited self-replication. This is because they reproduce asymmetrically. Rather than just creating two identical versions of a differentiated cell, when stem cells multiply, they create another stem cell along with a progenitor cell, which will later become differentiated into a cell for a specific site. Thus, the process can continue, for a proliferation of self-renewing stem cells. Bone marrow contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Most notably, MSCs have the ability to differentiate into:
- Osteoblasts: create new bone cells to maintain the health of the skeletal system
- Chondrocytes: these synthesize collagen and other components necessary for joint health
- Smooth muscle cells: these line the insides of organs like the bladder, lungs, and digestive and reproductive system. They form the muscles responsible for the involuntary contractions that keep things moving through our systems. (2)(3)
Benefits of Stem Cells
- Can adapt to replace damaged cells
- Can be drawn from the patient’s own bone marrow
- Secrete vital growth factors for regenerative and preventative effects
- Have the ability to reproduce without limitations
- Reduce cell death and inflammation in injured tissues
Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation with Dr. Steenblock, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your health concerns, and learn more about whether bone marrow treatments will be beneficial to you. He’ll review the details of your medical history and perform a physical exam. He may also order additional testing to give him a clear perspective on your health. Bone marrow treatments are versatile and effective, but they are not for everyone. By identifying other underlying medical conditions or nutritional deficiencies, he’ll be able to determine the best course of action for your regenerative treatment. Dr. Steenblock understands that each of his patients has a unique physical makeup, and will tailor a treatment plan that takes these factors into account. If you’re ready to get started, contact Personalized Regenerative Medicine in San Clemente, CA today. Call 949-367-8870 to schedule a personal consultation and learn more about the regenerative powers of bone marrow treatments.
Preparation
Bone Marrow treatments are minimally invasive, but they do require a small incision and a series of injections. Please refrain from blood-thinning medications, smoking, and alcohol in the weeks leading up to your appointment. You’ll be provided with other patient-specific instructions on how to prepare for this procedure, and to ensure optimal results.
Procedure
Our bones contain two kinds of marrow, fatty yellow marrow, and red marrow that is rich in regenerative properties. As we age, our marrow converts to yellow marrow, until the stores of red marrow are only found in the center-most regions of our skeleton: what’s known as the axial skeleton. It is for this reason that bone marrow for stem cell treatments is removed from the pelvic bone. It’s also a bone that’s conveniently close to the surface, discreet, and an easy location to protect as the area heals.
Before he gets started, Dr. Steenblock will numb your hip area with a local anesthetic. You’ll also be given sedatives to ensure that you are relaxed. He will use a specially designed needle to penetrate this convenient bone, and draw out a sample of marrow. The sample is then spun in a centrifuge to isolate the stem cells and other regenerative properties, and prepared for injection. Dr. Steenblock will then be able to inject this concentrate directly into the area requiring treatment, whether the joints, nervous system, or other areas.
Recovery
Bone marrow treatments are minimally invasive, so apart from the small entry point on your hip, and the injection sites, you should only experience minimal discomfort, and be able to return to your routine as soon as you feel ready. Dr. Steenblock and his team will give you a list of guidelines, and look forward to seeing you at your next appointment to discuss your progress.
Results
Depending on the condition you’re treating and its severity, your results will become evident at a rate unique to your body. Bone marrow treatments introduce a variety of regenerative cells, and they undergo a complex range of functions in order to take effect. Healing is a process, and bone marrow treatments activate this healing process. Although you may notice an immediate improvement, the real results will take a few months before they can be fully appreciated. Dr. Steenblock will be able to give you an estimated timeline for your treatment and results after the evaluation at your personal consultation.
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
Dr. Steenblock advocates a comprehensive approach to health. When examining his patients, he considers all aspects of their health and wellness to design an ideal treatment plan. Personalized Regenerative Medicine offers several services that can help patients achieve total healing and holistic results.
How Much Do Bone Marrow Treatments Cost in Orange County?
The cost of your treatment with autologous bone marrow will depend on the area you wish to treat and the number of treatments necessary to achieve results. Dr. Steenblock will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate once he has conducted a thorough examination, analysis of your condition, and has determined the best course of treatment. To learn more about his practice at Personalized Regenerative Medicine, follow his blog.
FAQ
What is a bone marrow treatment?
A bone marrow treatment is a regenerative therapy that removes a sample of marrow from the patient’s bone, usually the hip bone. The sample is then processed to isolate valuable stem cells and other growth factors, and injected into other areas of the body requiring rehabilitation.
Where does the bone marrow come from?
Stem cells and other valuable growth factors are located only in the red bone marrow. As we age, this is only present in the axial skeleton, and in areas like the sternum and pelvis. Bone marrow treatments remove a sample of this rich marrow from inside the patient’s hip bone.
References
- Karampinos DC, Ruschke S, Dieckmeyer M, et al. Quantitative MRI and spectroscopy of bone marrow. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2017;47(2):332-353. doi:10.1002/jmri.25769
- Hira VVV, Breznik B, Vittori M, et al. Similarities Between Stem Cell Niches in Glioblastoma and Bone Marrow: Rays of Hope for Novel Treatment Strategies. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry. 2020;68(1):33-57. doi:10.1369/0022155419878416
- Burchfield JS, Dimmeler S. Role of paracrine factors in stem and progenitor cell mediated cardiac repair and tissue fibrosis. Fibrogenesis & Tissue Repair. 2008;1(1). doi:10.1186/1755-1536-1-4