Stem cell therapy can set right fractures: Dr AK Venkatachalam

Chennai: Stem cell therapy is like a Brahmastra (a lethal weapon created by Lord Brahma). It decimates problems arising due to joint pains and complicated fractures, said Dr A.K. Venkatachalam, orthopaedic surgeon, Meenakshi Multi Specialty Hospital.

Stem cell therapy can also be used to set right fractures and ankle joint problems. “It has great potential. It can treat or prevent a disease condition,” he said. Utilising one’s own stem cells helps the healing process of the injured or degenerated joints.

This non-surgical stem cell injection procedure happens within a single day and patients are able to return to normal activity after the procedure, avoiding painful and lengthy rehabilitation period.

Also, patients are far less vulnerable to risks of surgeries, such as infection and blood clots. Stem cells harvested from the back of the hip area (iliac bone), are concentrated through a lab process and then re-injected precisely into the injured tissues in other areas of the body using advanced imaging guidance. A special needle is inserted into the bone to withdraw marrow blood, which contains stem cells.

“It was a combination of a novel therapy including stem cells and durable knee replacement (Oxinium) that helped Kalyan Chakravarthy. In his case we sought the assistance of plastic surgeon to enlarge the skin tissue around the knee,” Dr Venkatachalam said.

Chakravarthy from Seemandhra had a badly damaged knee and an inclined ankle leaving his right leg completely immobile following a road accident. He lost all hopes of walking or even moving his limb until he met city orthopaedic surgeon about two years ago. He successfully underwent five surgeries and two plastic surgeries, recently, and he is able to walk, climb stairs and even cycle.

The expertise of plastic surgeon Dr P.C. Chandran also of Meenakshi Multi Specialty Hospital was used to expand the tissues at knee and to create skin to replace the unhealthy scar tissue over his leg.

“Stem cell in treating patients is permitted provided the surgeon informs that it is an experimental study and not proved method,” Dr Venkatachalam said.