FAQs - Stem Cell Treatment

Are Your Stem Cell Treatments in the USA FDA-Approved?

Yes. In the US we perform sterile injection of bone marrow aspirate, which contains stem cells, into affected joints, not intravenously, for musculoskeletal problems in accordance with FDA guidelines. The sterile aspirate is not manipulated and is injected at the same procedure as the aspiration, for homologous use. We do not perform any other stem cell procedure in the United States.

How About Your Fat Graft Injections?

We harvest a small amount of fat in the office and inject it into affected joints, not as a stem cell procedure but rather for its cushioning effects. We wash it, gently centrifuge it, and size it in a closed system using a sterile technique in a sterile laminar air flow hood in accordance with FDA guidelines. This tissue is minimally manipulated and injected at the same procedure, for homologous use: again according to FDA guidelines.

Where Do You Perform Other Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injections?

We perform other mesenchymal stem cell injections in our clinics in Antigua and Athens, Greece.

What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are cells that can grow into different kinds of tissues. They also secrete agents that act on those tissues.

What Kind of Stem Cells Do You Use?

We use mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). These are NOT fetal or embryonic.

What Do These Stem Cells Do?

Primarily they modulate the immune system. That means that they decrease the inflammation that goes on in numerous diseases by secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines. They also help tissue heal by providing natural growth factors.

Where Do These Cells Come From?

We use MSCs from several sources depending on your individual condition. Sometimes we can isolate stem cells from your own fatty tissue and inject them on the same day. For some patients, we use stem cells that are cultured and expanded from a small previously harvested specimen of your fatty or adipose tissue. For some patients, we use umbilical cord cells donated from live births or cesarean sections and grown and expanded in culture. And for some conditions stem cells derived from bone marrow are preferred.

Why Do You Have Multiple Treatment Options Available?

We believe it is advantageous to have multiple options because for some conditions evidence is better for one type of treatment than another. This also allows us flexibility as new evidence arises in this fast-changing field to adjust our recommended treatment.

Is Stem Cell Treatment Safe?

Stem cell treatment is one of the safest types of treatment in existence. We have completed a systematic literature study showing no adverse events due to stem cells in any published paper where stem cells were used to treat arthritis. In a larger study of all stem cell treatments we have been unable to find any serious adverse events due specifically to the stem cells when stem cells are properly used for any condition. This contrasts with drug treatments, where side effects are common, and surgery, where complications can occur.

Is Stem Cell Treatment Covered By Insurance?

No. The treatments are paid for by the patient receiving them. Our charges however are significantly less than charges at other centers for comparable treatment.

Where Are The Treatments Performed?

For some patients with arthritis, treatment is provided in our Glenview, IL office or our Naples, FL office. However, for severe arthritis and autoimmune diseases treatment is offered in Nassau Florida at the state-of-the-art Family Medicine Center. In 2021 we will also be offering stem cell treatment on the Greek Island of Cyprus.

How Long Does It Take For Stem Cell Treatment To Work?

Results vary but often the results are immediate or within a few days. In some cases, benefits may take several weeks to manifest.

How Many Stem Cell Treatments Will I Need?

That depends on the disease and also on the person. Our treatments for arthritis typically last many years from a single treatment. However, injections for autoimmune disease will likely need to be repeated at intervals.

How Are Stem Cells Administered?

Stem cells are injected intravenously for the conditions listed below. For arthritis, the cells are also injected directly into the joint. For some conditions, the cells are injected locally at the area where the problem is.

Is Stem Cell Injection Painful?

IV injection is completely painless. Injection into a joint has minimal discomfort. No sedation or anesthetics are used or needed.

What Are Some Of The Conditions For Which Stem Cell Treatment Is Offered?

NEUROLOGIC

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson's disease
• Spinal cord injury with paralysis
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury

ARTHRITIS: of all joints

GASTROINTESTINAL

• Ulcerative Colitis
• Crohn's disease

LUNG

• Pulmonary fibrosis
• COPD
• Asthma

SKIN

• Psoriasis
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

GENITOURINARY

• Erectile dysfunction
• Peyronie's disease
• Interstitial cystitis

INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Lupus

INFECTIOUS

• Lyme disease

DIABETES: Type 1 and 2

• Neuropathy
• Non-healing ulcers from vascular disease

Who Performs the Injections?

Dr. Prodromos performs all his own injections.

Does The Prodromos Stem Cell Institute Perform Research?

Yes, world-leading studies are continuously performed, presented at international meetings, and published in PubMed-indexed peer-reviewed medical journals under the auspices of the 501c3 Foundation for Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine (The FOREM.org) founded by Dr. Prodromos in 2003.