Dr. Gary Kaplan on Advances in Stem Cell Therapy and Being a Patient

Major advancements in regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies have revolutionized the way orthopedic injuries, spinal disks, nerves, and joints are treated.They are also starting to revolutionize the treatment of autoimmune disease, heart and brain disorders including nerve damage and spinal cord injuries.

Dr. Gary Kaplan recently traveled to Argentina to visit Dr. Gustavo Moviglia, Associate Professor, Wake Forest School of Medicine, and his daughter, Dr. María Teresita Moviglia Brandolino, of ACIDTA, Buenos Aires, to learn more about these advances… he was also a patient.

Why Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cells are essentially “immature” cells that become different types of mature cells. As infants, we have stem cells present in very large numbers. However, as we age the number of stem cells decline, which in turn limits our regenerative capabilities.

Stem cells have the remarkable ability to communicate, coordinate and replicate. When an injury occurs, stem cells localize to the site, initiate the healing response, and regenerate healthy tissue. The goal of stem cell therapy is to enhance the body’s innate repair system by calling even more stem cells to an injured area.

Dr. Moviglia and Dr. Teresita’s work in this field has shown promising results, and in a number of different areas: regenerating discs, remodeling bone, healing damaged nerves, and spinal cord repair.

As a patient, Dr. Kaplan will be receiving treatments for Osteoarthritis. Currently there is no effective treatment for the progression of osteoarthritis and patients are most often focused on pain management. Stem cell therapy has shown it can improve both pain and mobility of the affected area. Dr. Gary will be chronicling his experience and we wish him the best outcome!