Scientists have made some incredible breakthroughs in the field of stem cell research in the past few decades.  These breakthroughs have resulted in stem cells being used to treat more than 80 different diseases, including many forms of cancer, immune system disorders, metabolic disorders, and blood disorders.

Researchers have also been testing the use of stem cells to treat various Skeletal Diseases and Injuries.  These exciting research projects could lead to cures for degenerative illnesses and speed up the healing process for individuals who suffer a skeletal injury.  This article will take a closer look at the skeletal disease and injuries that may be treated using stem cells in the near future.

What skeletal disease and injuries may soon be treated with stem cells?

The list below shares some common skeletal diseases and injuries which researchers are attempting to treat using stem cells.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a very common joint condition that affects about half of the world’s population aged 65 years or older.  It is a potentially debilitating disease and the most prevalent disorder of articulating joints in humans.

Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage that sits between the bones to deteriorate over time.  This cartilage is designed to allow bones to glide across each other smoothly and prevents them from rubbing together.  Once the cartilage has deteriorated, the affected joints will become inflamed and painful.   Other symptoms of osteoarthritis include loss of function in the joint, joint deformity, stiffness, muscle weakness, crackles, and swelling.

This condition can be caused by a number of factors including genetic, hormonal, inflammatory, lifestyle, and mechanical factors.  Osteoarthritis is often caused by overuse or injury of the affected joints.

Currently, there are more than 100 clinical trials testing the effectiveness of using stem cells to treat osteoarthritis.  Most of these trials aim to use stem cells to reduce inflammation in the joints and ease the symptoms of the condition.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that affects the joints, particularly those in the feet and the hands.  It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in-and-around the joints.  This causes damage to the joints, along with pain, stiffness, heat, lumps, redness, and physical deformity.

This form of arthritis also causes a build up of synovial fluid, which makes the joints look very swollen.  Eventually, rheumatoid arthritis will cause the cartilage in the joints to become brittle and break down.  Once the cartilage is damaged, the affected joints become painful and difficult to move.  In some cases, the tendons, ligaments, and muscles around the joint become affected, which makes the joint unstable.

There are currently 23 trials testing the efficacy and safety of stem cells for treating rheumatoid arthritis.  The results of the trials which have been completed so far are very positive, with rheumatoid arthritis being completely cured in some patients.

Bone formation

Broken bones and bone fractures are very common in humans.  Typically, they are caused by accidents or diseases that make the bones become extremely weak.  It usually takes between 4 to 8 weeks for a  bone fracture to heal.  During this time, the patient is usually unable to comfortably use the affected limb or joint.

Unfortunately, complex bone fractures can be much slower to heal, taking many months.  Patients suffering from diseases like osteoporosis may also find it very difficult to recover from a bone fracture.

Several stem cell clinical trials are looking at the capacity of stem cells to promote bone growth.  Researchers believe that stem cells will speed up the repair speed of bone fractures and make it possible for patients with bone disorders to grow strong bones.

Learn more about recent stem cell research projects

If you are interested in learning more about the current stem cell research projects that are underway, download our latest Clinical Update in PDF.  This clinical report details some of the ongoing research projects that are using stem cells to treat skeletal diseases and injuries.

Sources
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep24393
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2920533/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15241-bone-fractures