[KiniBiz] Stem Cell Regeneration: A New Frontier in Medical Tourism
A growing segment in the field of medical tourism is sports medicine, for which there is great demand. Malaysia has made notable strides in this arena, with the increasing number of skilled specialists, advancement of technology and facilities, as well as the discovery of revolutionary new treatment procedures. This article highlights KLSMC as leading from the front in stem cell research.
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Malaysia leads from the front with the world’s first articular cartilage regeneration for stem cells
Malaysia has long been recognised as a popular tourist destination within the region. Home to tropical islands, fascinating flora and fauna, as well as a melting-pot of cultures and cuisine, it is no wonder that Malaysia continues to draw visitors from all over the world.
In recent years, people from across the globe have been travelling to Malaysia for more than just sun, sand and sea. Malaysia’s growth in medical infrastructure and practices, along with convenient and cost-effective travel, has encouraged more individuals to come to our shores to seek cosmetic and medical treatments.
According to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, the total revenue generated through medical tourism in 2011 was RM511 million, a growth of almost 35% from the previous year. Over the last 10 years, the country’s medical tourism market has grown more than 14 times.
The expanding market for medical tourism is driven in part by the rising expense of healthcare in developed countries as well as the long wait involved. Ironically, the economic crisis has urged many patients from developed countries to seek treatment or surgery abroad because of the convenience, lower cost and quality of treatment. In fact, according to the latest research study by Booming Medical Tourism in Malaysia by RNCOS, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 13% from year 2013 to 2017.
Other factors that drive this robust growth in Malaysia include availability of cost-effective treatments, skilled medical professionals and government support. One of the biggest advantages of Malaysia is undoubtedly its Islamic credentials and protocols that attract droves of medical travellers from the Middle East.
A growing segment in the field of medical tourism is sports medicine, for which there is great demand. Malaysia has made notable strides in this arena, with the increasing number of skilled specialists, advancement of technology and facilities, as well as the discovery of revolutionary new treatment procedures.
Redefining Sports Medicine
The field of sports medicine in Malaysia has seen tremendous advancement over the years, in supporting the need for athletes to redefine and challenge the boundaries of their physical capabilities.
A revolutionary new treatment for cartilage injuries by the Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Centre (KLSMC) has made waves within the industry and put Malaysia on the world map for all the right reasons.
The new treatment, known as articular cartilage regeneration with stem cells has opened up a new horizon for the treatment of complex injuries, especially for the knee joint.
The cartilage is the white, smooth tissue that covers the surface of our bones and joints, such as the knee, elbow and hip. It is what enables our joints to move smoothly, acting as a cushion and shock-absorber to help distribute the load of pressure and weight over the surface of joints.
When there is damage or degeneration of the articular cartilage at the joint, one may experience symptoms of pain, swelling and the occasional giving away of the joint. Prolonged degeneration of the articular cartilage may develop into osteoarthritis.
According to Dr Saw Khay Yong, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and founder of KLSMC, “The progressive thinning of the articular cartilage, such as in the case of osteoarthritis, initially does not cause pain until it develops to an extent where the underlying bone is exposed. This is the reason why patients are left with prolonged cartilage loss that leads to painful or swollen joints.”
There is no doubt that our bodies are actually capable of regenerating lost cells to heal its own injuries. For example, when we cut ourselves, new skin cells are generated to replace the lost ones. When we donate part of our liver, the cells in the remaining part have the ability to multiply and regenerate the whole organ.
However, the articular cartilage (for example, found in joints between the knee and hip) is unable to regenerate itself because the cartilage layer is an area that lacks blood supply (avascular).
The body can only respond to and repair the articular cartilage when the underlying bone (that has access to blood supply and nerves) is injured or exposed. Even then, the regenerated cartilage, called the fibro-cartilage, is not as effective as the original (hyaline cartilage) and is likely to breakdown again in a few years.
Over the last two decades, orthopaedic surgeons have been experimenting with various techniques to initiate cartilage regeneration in patients, in efforts to overcome this biological limitation.
Recently, a clinical study led by Dr Saw, revealed a breakthrough discovery: in injecting the patient’s own blood stem cells, coupled with surgical intervention and physiotherapy, it was possible for patients to regenerate articular cartilage.
The Future of Sports Medicine in Malaysia
Employing the latest technology in sports medicine, KLSMC, a one-stop sports medicine centre, is now at the forefront of orthopaedic surgery, in particular articular cartilage regeneration, specialising in conditions of the knee, shoulder, hand, foot, hip and spine.
Patients with severe injuries that warrant cartilage regeneration or replacement surgery are given the option of going for a total knee replacement surgery or cell-based regeneration therapies like stem cell therapy (including articular cartilage regeneration) and arthroscopy.
“Total knee replacement (TKR) is a viable option for the elderly, at least 60 years and above. Patients with TKR can resume daily activity faster, and it is a much simpler and cheaper procedure at the moment compared to stem cell therapy. However, TKR patients will not be able to run, jog or lead very active lifestyles after the procedure. Hence it is more suitable for older patients. Stem cell therapy on the other hand, is a new option for patients who previously had to resort to TKR. It is a better option for younger patients who still intend to go back to playing sports or leading an active lifestyle,” explained Dr. Saw.
In fact, over 50% of KLSMC’s stem cell patients in the last 6 years have been in their 40s and 50s, with about 92% being under 60 years. Of these, a total of approximately 450 patients have undergone stem cell therapy for the knee joint.
With a steady annual increase in regular local patients, KLSMC is increasingly attracting patients from countries like UK, USA and Australia, to name a few. .
Encouraging a close-knit integration of functions in the hospital, KLSMC’s team of doctors, physiotherapists and radiologists work very closely together to customise the most effective treatment for each patient.
Even more compelling is that in KLSMC, the science of the surgical technique, harvesting and storage of the stem cells as well as the post-operative rehabilitation that encompasses articular cartilage regeneration – have been developed and optimised to maximise the chances of high-quality regeneration and repair.
With the boom of medical tourism and the dearth of sports medicine centres in the region, KLSMC is poised to helm the development of sports medicine and the influx of visitors into Malaysia seeking medical treatments.
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