Gelenk-Klinik

Method of autologous disc cell transplantation is mature

If the disc is worn, the patient usually expects a long-term therapy: from conservative treatment of physiotherapy and physical therapy on pain medication treatment to the surgery. All the measures so far never intervened in the cause - the age-related wear on the disc - but always eliminated the effects. With a treatment method that has now stood up after long-term studies of the scientific review, it is possible to rebuild the destroyed cell nucleus of the disc again.

The method of autologous (autologous) intervertebral disc cell transplantation ADCT

The spine consists of 23 discs, which it uses as a cushion and shock absorber. The required elasticity guarantee the cooperation of the fiber ring and the nucleus pulposus, each located in a so-called intervertebral disc space.

In autologous (= endogenous) intervertebral disc cell transplantation, the patient 1cm ³ intervertebral disc cells - about the size of a sugar cube - taken from a healthy intervertebral disc space. These are isolated in a highly specialized cell cultures of a specialized laboratory in Teltow, Brandenburg and propagated under sterile conditions and the highest security standards outside of the body in the million-fold.
After about three months, the cell transplant back into the diseased intervertebral disc implanted. Both removal and recycling to the body is done through a minimally invasive injection. After an appropriate increase of the intervertebral disc cells in the intervertebral disc space and the restoration of disc tissue, it is to regenerate the intervertebral disc nucleus and the disc is again able to act as shock absorbers.

Advantages of the process

"Finally, a method has been developed with which we can treat the cause," said Dr. Peter Baum, head of the joint-Clinic in Gundelfingen. "Healthy regenerate disc tissue can be preserved and the functionality of the disc." The protection against further wear diseases is through the rule-oriented movement of the back very high. And the method of operation is very gentle treatment with autologous material is always an advantage.
"This procedure is also suitable for patients who already had a band disc surgery without the desired relief," says Baum. From about a year 35.000Wirbelsäulen operations in Germany overtaken about one in ten patients relapse.