Johns Hopkins Investigating Using Stem Cells For Cartilage Repair

Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, FL

Many researchers are looking at various ways to aid in cartilage repair using stem cells.
Biomedical engineers at John Hopkins have found adult goat stem cells could be grown into cartilage when the stem cells were injected into a fluid filled hydrogel and then injected into damaged joint tissue, followed by using light to harden the fluid into a gel.

Dennis M. Lox, MD, a Sports and Regenerative Medicine Specialist in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, notes many trials are looking at various methods of delivering stem cells with a number of types of scaffolds. Dr. Lox states many of these are being developed under patents to be labeled as drugs. Also, developing methods to administer these new techniques may require surgery which will expose the joint cartilage to more trauma, thus may cause an acceleration of arthritis. Dr. Lox believes finding methods to deliver stem cells without surgery will perhaps ultimately prove the most effective.

Currently, no drug stem cell for osteoarthritis is available in the United States, and perhaps the most effective way is what is currently being injecting the patients own stem cells directly into the damaged area.

Dennis M. Lox, MD, serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 area, our office can be reached at (727) 462-5582.