Precision StemCell Brings Advanced Image-Guided Stem Cell Therapy to U.S.

GULF SHORES, Ala., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- When standout University of Alabama wide receiver and return specialist Marquis Maze partially tore his hamstring in the final game of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) on January 9, 2012, his dream of making it into the NFL very nearly ended. But today, less than three weeks after having image-guided stem cell therapy with Alabama physician Jason Williams at Precision StemCell (http://www.precisionstemcell.com), "I feel like I have a brand-new leg," said Maze.

It was Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain, another former Alabama standout, who told Maze about Dr. Williams. Although many professional athletes have gone to China, Korea or Germany for stem cell therapy, McClain had just been to the Gulf Shores physician for advanced image-guided stem cell therapy for his own severe high ankle sprain and tendonitis of the knee. And McClain wasn't the only one to receive state-of-the-art stem cell therapy closer to home: Bob Hubbard, former University of Alabama assistant basketball coach, saw Dr. Williams for the arthritis in his knees. After just one image-guided stem cell therapy treatment, Hubbard was pain-free for the first time in years.

"I couldn't use my legs well due to the knee pain. I am very athletic, but my legs were getting weak. I knew I was looking at long-term pain and a probable knee replacement," stated Hubbard. "I knew Dr. Williams personally, and when he told me about his work with stem cells, I told him that was the most exciting thing I had ever heard, [and to] count me in." Hubbard had both knees treated in one procedure, and, he says, "My knees have not hurt since the day of the procedure. I have been working out and lifting weights without pain. I knew then that Dr. Williams was on to something amazing."

Stem cell therapy didn't just provide pain relief for Hubbard: two weeks after the procedure, his MRI showed significant cartilage growth. That was enough for Hubbard to commit to helping Dr. Williams advance stem cell therapies.

"Stem cell therapy has had some controversy, but its time has come," said Dr. Williams. Although stem cell therapy does not have direct approval from the FDA, the agency allows it if the stem cells are harvested from the patient and readministered during the same procedure without being significantly altered -- guidelines Dr. Williams follows religiously. He obtains stem cells from fat, a rich source of cells, rather than from embryos, which are not only controversial but perform poorly in comparison.

"Harvesting stem cells from the patient's own fat eliminates the need to culture the cells, as is done in some facilities outside the United States," explained Dr. Williams. "Culturing of stem cells takes a long time and has not been proven to be safe. Athletes certainly don't have the time to wait for stem cell culturing that can take weeks and expose them to unknown risks."

Dr. Williams collects the patient's fat using minimally invasive liposuction. Inside the sterile collection container, the fat is processed to separate and harvest the stem cells, which do not leave the container until they are injected back into the patient.

Once he has obtained the stem cells, Dr. Williams injects them the same day under computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. He is one of the first physicians to use such imaging technology in stem cell therapy, and the method's precision allows him to deliver significantly better outcomes for his patients than they could expect elsewhere. That's because stem cells must be injected into the exact location of an injury in order to function properly. Often, CT or MRI guidance is the only way to precisely administer stem cells at the correct location -- or even to see the injury at all.

Although athletes are seeing excellent results from advanced image-guided stem cell therapy with Dr. Williams, the therapy is effective at treating many types of joint and spine conditions in people of varying ages and activity levels. Learn more about the procedure and about Precision StemCell at http://www.precisionstemcell.com.

Contact:

Bob Hubbard
Precision StemCell
251-948-3420
[email protected]
http://www.precisionstemcell.com

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SOURCE Precision StemCell