Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Adult stem cells used in hip replacement

Doctors in Southampton, England have successfully used adult stem cells to repair hip bones, allowing patients to avoid hip replacement surgery. After removing dead tissue in the hip, the cavity is filled with bits of ground up bone and the patient’s own adult stem cells. So far six patients have had the treatment with only one failure, doctors said. From FRC Blog.

If you read the original Telegraph article, you'll see the word "adult" isn't used, leaving the impression it might be embryonic, but if you're using cells from the patient, they aren't going to be from a killed embryo. The article actually mentions the controversy, although there is no controversy about using adult stem cells, only embryonic.

Adult stem cells, taken from sources such as bone marrow and cord blood, have now been successfully used to treat well over 70 medical conditions. None for embryonic.

3 comments:

mdoneil said...

I have donated pbsc and I am happy to give anybody who needs them any of my stem cells.

Why we are playing word games when we could be saving lives with adult stem cells is beyond me.

Joshua Sophy said...

Some surgeons aren't very transparent on the money they get from medical device makers: http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/13272#more-13272

DePuy Hip Replacement Recall said...

This is a very good alternative for hip replacement. If the crisis on hip replacement continues, the using of stem cell might be given much attention to become a substitute treatment modality. Among the health concerns surrounding hip replacement is the ASR Hip Replacement Recall.