SIX QUESTIONS TOP SURGEONS ASK ABOUT STEM CELLS (Orthopedics This Week)
How do you know the viability of stem cells and their ability to express phenotypes?
How can we use stem cells to prevent osteo-arthritis?
What do stem cells do when they get into an arthritic joint?
What is the right nomenclature?
What are the standard ways to test that the cells will do what we want?
What clinical infrastructure do we need to do proper clinical studies?
Bone morphogenic proteins were not a failure, but they didn’t live up to their promise. With that observation, Tom Einhorn, M.D., and George Muschler, M.D., opened up a very interesting seminar regarding the use of stem cells in orthopedics at the recently concluded Academy (AAOS) meeting in New Orleans. The lessons learned from BMP, in other words, can help guide physicians as they contemplate using stem cells in their practice.
In fact, these two top surgeons and scientists listed six basic questions which every practitioner should ask about so-called “stem cells”.
But first; here is a little background about these top physicians and researchers--Tom Einhorn and George Muschler.
Tom Einhorn, M.D.
Dr. Einhorn is Boston University’s Chairman...
