Recently I have seen advertisements on social media for stem cell therapy informational seminars to be held at the Durango rec center in the coming weeks. I am writing as a concerned local physician to caution fellow residents that these expensive therapies delivered by profit-driven clinics from outside of our community my over-promise and under deliver.
Stem cell therapy has been a topic of great interest in medical research. Stem cells obtained from either the patient, umbilical cord blood or other sources have demonstrated some potential in lab tests to promote tissue healing. In real patients, results so far have generally fallen short. While there is enormous profit potential in offering these treatments, many physicians (myself included) feel that these treatments are not ready for use outside of research and can not be offered in good faith.
We are fortunate in Durango to have many options for qualified orthopedic care. I would encourage anyone considering these therapies to speak candidly with their primary care physician, an orthopedic surgeon, a physiatrist or a sports medicine physician before spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a treatment that may not benefit them.
Timothy Durkin
Durango
