Potential Breakthrough Spinal Surgery Done at Athens Orthopedic Clinic

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Apr 18, 2016, 07:01 ET

ATHENS, Ga., April 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- William Tally, MD, preformed the first of its kind spinal surgery utilizing a new stem cell technology aimed at offering a long term solution to the degeneration of the spine. Using a product from Vivex Biomedical Inc., located in Marietta, Georgia, Dr. Tally injected a type of adult stem cells, named the MIAMI cells after the original research done at the University of Miami, into a patients dehydrated intervertebral discs in his back.

"This was the first clinical application of this new cell line and is a very exciting new approach to spinal surgery," Dr. Tally said. "The outcome of the procedure will hopefully improve the patients back symptoms by bending the curve of the normal trajectory of early disc degeneration."

The surgery was performed on 22-year-old, Florida resident, Nicholas Schiller after extensive vertebral injuries. The procedure took place last summer at Athens Orthopedic clinic and a recent MRI evaluation revealed the progress and success of the procedure.

Nicholas's father, Dr. Paul Schiller, developer of the MIAMI cell, contacted Dr. Tally after his son's injury for a consultation. Although the results were strong in other orthopedic applications with the cell, this was the first time it was going to be used in a spinal procedure.

Nine-months post-surgery, this pre-med student says he is very happy with the surgical outcome and can hardly believe he is already playing basketball again with his friends. "We are very thankful for Dr. Tally and Athens Orthopedic Clinic," comments the Schiller family.

"When Vivex began working with the University of Miami and its tissue bank, we knew the Miami cell was cutting edge technology and we were excited to bring that technology to the marketplace," Tracy Anderson, President and CEO of Vivex said. "However, we could not have anticipated the incredible results we have seen first-hand in patients whose lives have benefited from this product."

Athens Orthopedic Clinic is one of the research sites for studies using the MIAMI cell. The marrow-isolated adult multi-lineage inducible cell, or MIAMI cell, is unique on two fronts. It's highly inducible and potent partially because it shares genes with embryonic stem cells, and the process used to isolate it allows for the infusion of a purer MIAMI cell concentration.

CONTACT:
Sherri Goggin
706-202-4967

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SOURCE Athens Orthopedic Clinic