The Truth About Stem Cell Therapy — What Works? What’s a Scam?

Stem cell therapy is a buzzword these days, as more and more medical facilities claim they can cure conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to cerebral palsy, maybe even cancer.

Many of these claims, though, don’t have any basis in reality. So how do you know which stem cell therapies work and which are scams?

At Carolina Joint and Arthritis, Dr. Austin Yeargan is a pioneer in the field of orthobiologics. This includes stem cell therapy procedures to treat orthopedic conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis.

Here are a few questions that will help you separate fact from fiction when it comes to stem cell therapy.

Where do their stem cells come from?

If a doctor is promoting stem cell therapy, ask them where the stem cells they use originate. If they plan to harvest adult stem cells from your own body, then inject them elsewhere in your body, that’s a good sign.

If they tell you the stem cells are from fetal birth products like amniotic fluid or placental or umbilical products, that’s a huge red flag. They’ll claim these products have millions of live fetal stem cells that are better than your body’s own stem cells because they’re younger and there are so many of them. 

None of this is true. The sterilization and freezing processes necessary to prevent disease transmission kill any live stem cells. If any were left alive, the product would be illegal to use — the FDA forbids using another person’s stem cells to treat an orthopedic issue.

Are the practice and procedure FDA-compliant?

Speaking of the FDA (the US Food and Drug Administration), make sure the doctor or practice you’re considering is FDA-compliant and the stem cells it uses are processed according to FDA minimal-manipulation guidelines.

If they don’t follow FDA rules, they’re likely trying to scam you.

Does the practice and/or doctor have an established track record?

Check out the history of the doctor or practice you’re considering. They should have an established track record of the procedure they’re discussing with you, along with verified results. Ask to talk to former patients. If they’re at all reluctant to provide those reviews or patient contacts, this could be a red flag.

You’ll want to work with an established doctor like Dr. Yeargan, who has developed, invented, researched, and improved the orthobiologic techniques that more than 9,000 other practices now follow. This includes the Nanoplasty® and Mechanical Axis Deviation Procedure (NAMAD) that helps patients with advanced arthritis avoid knee replacement.

If you’re interested in learning more about how orthobiologics can help relieve the pain caused by your orthopedic condition, our caring team at Carolina Joint and Arthritis is here to help. To schedule a consultation, call our Wilmington, North Carolina, office or use the “Book Online” button to choose your own time.