Author: anilkesanimd

Stem Cell Spinal Treatments FAQs – Anil Kesani MD

Dr. Anil Kumar Kesani is a spinal surgeon working at SpineMD in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. For years, Dr. Anil Kesani has been specializing in minimally invasive treatments for spine conditions, including disc replacement, spinal injections, and stem cell spinal treatments.

Here are a few common questions about stem cell spinal treatments and how it is used in the treatment of spinal problems:

Question: What stem cells are used in the treatment of spinal problems?

Answer: Stem cells can have numerous sources. Primary sources for the treatment of spinal problems are human amniotic fluid and umbilical cord tissue.  Also, mesenchymal stem cells can be extracted from bone marrow.  These are classified as allogeneic mesenchymal cells.

Q: What are the advantages of treating spinal cord injuries with stem cells?

A: Although intensive research is currently being performed, stem cell therapy if proven to be effective offers the potential of allowing spinal cord tissue to regenerate and regain lost function from a spinal cord injury.

Q: Can stem cells heal spinal cord injuries?

A: The research into stem cells is ongoing. However, many case studies exist, and a growing body of research suggests their effectiveness in combination with other rehabilitative therapies.

For more information about nonoperative treatments, visit Dr. Anil Kesani’s YouTube site here. 

Effect of Nicotine on Spinal Discs – Anil Kesani MD

Dr. Anil Kesani explains that there has always been a known link between smoking and back pain.  Therefore, Dr. Kesani designed and conducted a study to examine the effect of nicotine on spinal discs. A member of the North American Spine Society, Anil Kesani MD is an orthopedic and spine surgeon at SpineMD.

To see treatments offered at SpineMD, visit myspinemd.com here. Dr. Anil Kumar Kesani is also co-author of several medical journal articles, including “Effect of Nicotine on Spinal Disc Cells: A Cellular Mechanism for Disc Degeneration.”

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of nicotine on spinal discs cells within vertebrae. Present in tobacco smoke and products such as chewing tobacco and cigarettes, nicotine is a stimulant that speeds up messages between the brain and other parts of the body. The drug is present in bodily fluids of smokers and has been reported to have negative effects on different tissues, and has been connected to back pain through multiple studies.

During the study in order to examine the effects of nicotine on spinal discs, cells from the discs between vertebrae were obtained from cows and partitioned into different cultures containing levels of nicotine ranging from 25 to 300 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L), mimicking the level seen in smokers. Another group containing no nicotine was produced to serve as a control for comparison.

The samples were subsequently collected and analyzed on days 3, 7, 14, and 21. At day 14, the 300nmol/L cultures showed a decrease in DNA and in molecules that provide structural support to cells. They also demonstrated a decreased cell growth, irregular cell structure, and increased cell death as compared to controls.

The 100nmol/L and higher cultures showed similar results at day 21. Due to these negative observed changes in intervertebral disc cells as a result of nicotine presence, the report suggested nicotine may contribute to spinal disc degeneration.  Therefore, ultimately negative effect of nicotine on spinal discs.

Causes of Back Pain – Anil Kesani, MD

Dr. Anil Kesani explains that back pain can be caused by a wide range of causes.  An orthopedic surgeon based in North Richland Hills, Texas, Dr. Kesani, specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery and motion-preserving interventions such as disc replacement to spinal problems.

Dr. Anil Kesani makes an effort to inform all his patients about everything related to their treatments, including potential causes of their pain.

Back pain can result from a number reasons, the most common of which is muscle and ligaments becoming strained. This type of back pain is usually treated with physical therapy as well as medications on a case-by-case basis.

Structural problems such as disc injuries and fractures of the spine are another cause for pain. Skeletal irregularities such as growth abnormalities such as vertebral anomalies resulting in deformity can be more difficult to treat, and sometimes require surgery to correct them. However, many successful treatments exist for these conditions as well including bracing.

Other problems that can cause back pain include inflammatory conditions, tumors, and degenerative changes in the spine. Another potential nonsurgical treatment option are spinal injections.  But, the bottom line is that Dr. Anil Kesani, who practices at SpineMD does everything possible to treat patients non surgically to get them better in order to avoid surgery.  Surgery is always reserved as a last resort. To find out more about these conditions, please refer to Dr. Kesani’s YouTube video on the topic below.