Today, cutting-edge stem cell therapy is able to help promote the growth of bone tissue after the removal of cervical discs (the cushions between the bones and the neck) and help sufferers find relief for chronic pain. Using adult stem cells derived from bone marrow, scientists are able to help bone tissue grow, which is crucial for spinal fusion following  surgery. The cervical disc is removed in procedures that aim to eliminate friction between the vertebrae and/or nerve compression, thus alleviating pain. Following surgery, spinal fusion is what is utilized for degenerative disc disease, which is a state where cushioning cartilage has worn away to leave only bone to rub against bone and herniated discs, and where the discs pinched or compressed nerves. There are millions of people in America who are affected by spine diseases, and almost half of all spinal fusion surgery is performed for cervical spinal fusion. As the population of the United States gets older, there are about 230,000 patients who are candidates for spinal fusion and the number of the potential patients increases every year by 2 to 3 percent.

The stem cells that researchers at UC Davis have studied are derived from the bone marrow of a healthy single adult, and thus produce optimal results due to the fact that they are very homogenous. There is minimal chance for rejection by the recipient, and they are grown in culture to high concentration. A lack of effective new bone growth following spine fusion surgery can be a major issue, and adequate spinal fusion fails to occur in 8 to 35 percent of patients with persistent pain occurring in more than half of patients with fusion failure, something that may need even further surgery. While bone marrow stem cells are still in the research stage, the FDA approved stem cell treatments that we provide here at Miami Stem Cell are able to help patients recover at faster rates and alleviate chronic pain through creating new tissue in needed area.