There might come a time in your life when you must decide between stem cell therapy and surgery. You may already be at that point, perhaps because you have an injury from playing a sport or a degenerative disease you want to slow the progression of. In either case, the decision can be challenging, even with the assistance of medical professionals. So, should you have surgery or stem cell therapy? This article at BioXcellerator will help you make the right call for your health.
Stem Cell Therapy vs. Surgery: What’s the Difference
Stem cell therapy is very different from surgery. On one hand, surgery is an operative procedure that involves using medical equipment to treat conditions. It’s called going under the knife for a reason – while some surgeries are minimal and only involve small incisions, others can be major. On the other hand, stem cell therapy is a type of regenerative medicine that uses the benefits of stem cells. It works by harvesting stem cells from the body (using needles) and then readministering them where they are needed, whether that’s the liver, spine, or knee. It works thanks to the regenerative properties of stem cells that stimulate healing by replenishing cells in their new environment.
Read More: What Are Stem Cells?
The Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy
So, should you choose stem cell therapy? Here are the benefits:
No General Anesthesia
With surgery, you will likely have to undergo general anesthesia. This isn’t ideal for most people, as it can leave you feeling groggy for the rest of the day. On the other hand, stem cell therapy only requires local anesthetic when harvesting the stem cells (and might not be necessary if a patient is receiving stem cell donors).
No Long Hospital Stays
Most people who undergo surgery must spend at least one night in the hospital. In many cases, the hospital stay can last a week or even longer. It gets in the way of daily life, with patients needing to take time away from other responsibilities like family and work. Stem cell therapy does not require a lengthy hospital stay – in fact, it can be performed in a clinic in a single day, with the patient able to go straight home following it. Follow-up appointments are usually sufficient.
It’s Minimally Invasive
Stem cell treatments are minimally invasive treatments. It involves a set of injections, which are fast and painless. Most people enjoy this aspect of the treatment, as going through an invasive procedure like surgery can be quite debilitating for a while.
Faster Healing and Recovery
Compared to surgery, stem cell treatments offer a much faster healing and recovery time. You can recover at home with stem cell therapy, and the recovery itself isn’t hard to deal with, with most people able to get back to daily living quickly.
The Benefits of Surgery
What about surgery? Here are the benefits of getting surgery rather than stem cell therapy:
It Can Correct Structural Issues
Sometimes, doctors need to perform surgery to fix structural issues. For example, if a person has sustained a fracture, surgery may be necessary to realign the bones so they can heal fully.
It Can Confirm a Diagnosis
Surgery can be helpful in cases where a diagnosis is not yet given. Doctors will have a better view of a person’s body when performing surgery – they may find the root cause of a problem. Sometimes, diagnostics like X-rays and blood tests are not enough.
It May be Recommended
In many cases, doctors recommend surgery because it’s the best possible solution. If a doctor says that a patient requires surgery, the chances are it’s the best route.
What to Consider When Choosing Between Surgery or Stem Cell Therapy
When choosing between surgery and stem cell therapy, these are the things to consider:
Your Condition
Some conditions heal better after stem cell injections, while others might require surgery. You must consider your condition when considering which one is best for you. For example, if you have osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy is likely the better choice for you. However, if you have a cancerous tumor that doctors can operate on, surgery will definitely be the best route forward.
What Your Doctor Recommends
It’s always important to take your doctor’s recommendations into account. In some cases, it helps to speak to a few medical professionals to get varying opinions. In the end, they are the ones who know best.
Whether Surgery is Necessary
There are times when surgery is necessary – in some cases, not undergoing surgery may put your life at risk. If you are told that surgery is necessary, that should be your priority, keeping in mind that stem cell therapy can be sought out after a surgical procedure to boost healing post op. At the same time, if surgery is not necessary, it’s probably not worth putting your mind and body through such a stressful situation. Surgery is not something to pursue without a second thought, as it comes with a lot of risks.
The Cost
Cost plays a big role in whether surgery or stem cell therapy is best. Surgery might be covered by your insurance, while stem cell therapy likely will not be. You can look into the stem cell therapy cost to see if it’s affordable for you.
Learn More: What Are Stem Cell Injections?
So – Should You Have Surgery or Stem Cell Therapy?
It all depends on your circumstances and condition. If you have the option to pursue stem cell therapy rather than surgery (assuming surgery is not necessary), it’s definitely a good option. Stem cell treatments offer plenty of excellent benefits, including being minimally invasive and stimulating healing using your body’s natural cells. It’s a pretty incredible regenerative medicine that should be considered by more people.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard for anyone to say whether surgery or stem cell therapy is a better option without knowing the individual circumstances of the person. However, it can be said that stem cell therapy often provides an excellent alternative to surgery – so, if surgery isn’t essential, stem cell therapy might be the best solution. It’s less invasive, has a faster recovery time, and heals the body through regenerative methods.
If you have a condition you think stem cell therapy may help with, get in touch with our expert team today. We have plenty of locations we cover, so we can hopefully assist you on your journey toward recovery and a higher quality of life.
