Stem Cell Therapy May Avert Diabetic Amputation
Author: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Published: 2015/02/20 - Updated: 2021/08/31
Category Topic: Diabetes Information - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Advances in stem cell therapy can significantly improve outcomes for patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers. Diabetic patients frequently develop chronic foot conditions, like ulcers, as a result of peripheral neuropathy, which causes a lack of sensation of the lower extremities.
Introduction
According to data presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Conference of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), advances in stem cell therapy can significantly improve outcomes for patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers. Use of stem cells to treat foot problems like diabetic ulcers may speed up the healing process, preventing infection and hospitalization during recovery.
Main Content
Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells found in blood and bone marrow among many other tissues. Sometimes referred to as the "Swiss army knife of healing," stem cells have the ability to develop into many different cell types in the body, including bone, cartilage and fat. When applied directly to a wound, such as a foot ulcer, stem cells can grow over the affected area and help to provide the wound with closure so healing can take place.
"With recent developments in stem cell research, patients experience a quicker and easier recovery," said Javier LaFontaine, DPM, FACFAS, a Dallas foot and ankle surgeon, Fellow Member of ACFAS and associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. "We are optimistic that this complementary therapy will reduce unnecessary pain, disability and even amputation, which have become an unfortunate reality for many diabetics."
Diabetic patients frequently develop chronic foot conditions, like ulcers, as a result of peripheral neuropathy, which causes a lack of sensation of the lower extremities. Often misdiagnosed, these conditions can lead to more serious complications, including amputations; but when caught early are highly treatable.
Recent scientific studies of stem cell research in diabetic-related foot wounds have shown favorable results when looking at wound closure time, the number of treatment applications, probability of wound closure, the number of adverse events and the number of wound-related infections.
Facts and Statistics
- There are three main types of stem cells: adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells and induced-pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs.
- Stem cells have two unique qualities: they can copy themselves for an unlimited period of time and they can grow into all of the body's different cell types
- When a stem cell copies itself, each of the two new cells can either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell such as a muscle cell, a blood cell, or a brain cell.
- Adult stem cells can be used for research and treatment, but most researchers believe that "embryonic" stem cells have much more potential to study, treat and cure diseases.
- Some stem cells grow into organs, bones and tissues of the body, but other stem cells work in its immune and repair systems. Called "adult" stem cells, they create replacement cells for those that are lost because of injury, disease or the normal wear and tear of aging.
Stem cell research has strong support by many notable groups including the American Medical Association and the National Health Council.
- 68% of Americans support embryonic stem cell research.
- 70% of Kansas voters want to allow SCNT research in Kansas.
- 63% of Missouri voters approve of embryonic stem cell research.
- 55% of Texans favor medical research using embryonic stem cells.
- 64% of Americans support federal funding of research on chronic diseases using stem cells taken from human embryos.
Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and published on 2015/02/20, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.