Regenexx Stem cell procedure for L3/4

[Crystal33]

I previously read the regenexx site info and viewed the posted images. Reversal of disc degeneration, which is what we think we should see, does not appear clear cut, not to me at least.

They often seem to credit the procedure to reduction in disc protrusion/extrusion however disc resorption is a natural process often observed in follow up radiology. So questions start springing to my mind when stem cell injection is being credited for it. Additionally you don't know if the images are "cherry picked". I imagine they would be.

In time Mesoblast might have an off the shelf stem cell disc injection product that does not require costly and painful harvesting and expanding stem cells from your own body. How good any of this stem cell technology is for real life disc conditions, if at all, remains to be seen. Like most other back surgery the only certainty is that the doctors and companies involved will profit greatly.

Below is Mesoblast article and images. After initial enthusiasm I now think this largely is a gimmick, aimed at attracting investors more than anything else. Until it is demonstrated in real life degeneration, not artificially chemically induced short term degeneration, I am a skeptic.
They are proposing “Phase 2 Disc Repair trial in 48 patients aimed for Q3 2010” It only has any potential for early stage DDD.

Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB) Proprietary Stem Cells Successfully Repair/Regenerate Damaged Intervertebral Disc Cartilage