Texas

Diagnostic Pain Center is devoted to addressing your physical and emotional pain. The physicians there don’t want to temporarily solve your problems, they will find the root of the problem and permanently help you live pain free. We are a multi-physician practice that believes in investing in our patients, we respect your autonomy and want your treatment to be specialized and comfortable. To begin your healing journey, call (512) 981-7246 to schedule your initial visit

Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that utilizes the body’s natural healing mechanism to treat various conditions.

Stem cells are being used in regenerative medicine to renew and repair diseased or damaged tissues, and have shown promising results in treatments of various orthopedic, cardiovascular, neuromuscular and autoimmune conditions.

Stem cells are present in all of us acting like a repair system for the body. However, with increased age sometimes the optimum amounts of stem cells are not delivered to the injured area. The goal of stem cell therapy is to amplify the natural repair system of the patient’s body.
Types of Stem Cells
There are two major types of stem cells embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are stem cells derived from human embryos. They are pluripotent, which means they have the ability to develop into almost any of the various cell types of the body.

As the embryo develops and forms a baby, stem cells are distributed throughout the body where they reside in specific pockets of each tissue, such as the bone marrow and blood. As we age, these cells function to renew old and worn out tissue cells. These are called adult stem cells or somatic stem cells. Like embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells can also replicate into more than one cell type, but their replication is restricted to a limited number of cell types.
Use of Stem Cells in Orthopaedics
The unique self-regeneration and differentiating ability of embryonic stem cells can be used in regenerative medicine. These stem cells can be derived from eggs collected during IVF procedures with informed consent from the patient. However, many questions have been raised on the ethics of destroying a potential human life for the treatment of another.

Adult stem cells are most commonly obtained from the bone marrow, specifically the mesenchymal stem cells, which have the ability to replicate into cells that form the musculoskeletal system such as tendons, ligaments, and articular cartilage. They can be obtained from the iliac crest of the pelvic bone by inserting a needle and extracting the stem cells from the bone marrow.

Currently, stem cell therapy is used to treat various degenerative conditions of the shoulder, knees, hips, and spine. They are also being used in the treatment of various soft tissue (muscle, ligaments, and tendons) as well as bone-related injuries.
Conditions Treated
The most common conditions treated with stem cells include
Knee

Knee Arthritis
Ligament Tear
Meniscal Tear
Patellar Tendinitis
Patellofemoral Instability
Cartilage Injury
Bursitis

Hip

Hip Arthritis
Labral Tear
Trochanteric Bursitis
Avascular Necrosis
Inflamed Synovium

Shoulder

Shoulder Arthritis
Rotator Cuff Injury
Shoulder Bursitis
Glenoid Labrum Tear
Inflamed Synovial Membrane

Sports Injuries

Muscle Contusion and Strain
Cartilage Damage
Tendinopathy
Bone Repair

Who is a Good Candidate for a Stem Cell Procedure?
You may be a good candidate for stem cell therapy if you have been suffering from joint pain and want to improve your quality of life while avoiding complications related to invasive surgical procedures.
Preparing for the Procedure

It is important that you stop taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at least two weeks before your procedure.
Preparing for a stem cell procedure is relatively easy and your doctor will give you specific instructions depending on your condition.

Stem Cell Procedure
The procedure begins with your doctor extracting stem cells from your own bone marrow. Bone marrow is usually aspirated from your hip region. Your doctor will first clean and numb your hip area. A needle is then introduced into an area of your pelvic bone known as the iliac crest. Bone marrow is then aspirated using a special syringe and the sample obtained is sent to the laboratory. In the laboratory, the aspirate is spun in a machine for 10 to 15 minutes and a concentrated stem cell sample is separated.

Your doctor then cleans and numbs your affected area to be treated and then, under the guidance of special x-rays, injects the stem cells into the diseased region. The whole procedure usually takes less than one hour and you may return home on the same day of the procedure.
Post-Operative Care

You will most likely be able to return to work the next day following your procedure.
You will need to take it easy and avoid any load-bearing activities for at least two weeks following your procedure.
You will need to refrain from taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) for a while as this can affect the healing process of your body.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Stem cell therapy is a relatively simple procedure that avoids the complications associated with invasive surgical procedures.
As stem cell therapy uses the cells derived from your own body it reduces the chances of an immune rejection.

The disadvantage of adult stem cell therapy is a lack of data about its long-term effects as it is a newer evolving therapy.
Risks and complications
Stem cell therapy is generally considered a safe procedure with minimal complications, however, as with any medical procedure, complications can occur.

Some risk factors related to stem cell therapy include infection as the stem cells may become contaminated with bacteria, viruses or other pathogens that may cause disease during the preparation process.

The procedure to either remove or inject the cells also has the risk of introducing an infection to the damaged tissue into which they are injected. Rarely, an immune reaction may occur from injected stem

Changing Lives by Delivering Your Own Healing Power.
Everyone deserves a chance at less pain. We have helped many patients have tremendous results with positive outcomes and zero complications. Be our next success story and finally live the life you may have once thought impossible.

Stems cells have taken the medical world by storm, but many people are unaware of the integral role they play in treating chronic illness and diseases. The term "stem cell" still carries quite a bit of stigma, most likely because people don’t fully understand the way stem cells are harvested and used in medical treatment models. At Innovations Stem Cell Center, Dr. Bill Johnson uses stem cells to treat a number of illnesses and diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), spinal cord injuries and even sports injuries. But what are stem cells, and how exactly can we use them to treat medical conditions?

Stem cells are some of our body's most unique cells because they have two very important characteristics that set them apart from other cells. They can replicate, essentially making new copies of themselves, and they have the ability to become other types of cells. Stem cells come from a number of sources, like embryos and umbilical cord blood which are often the source of much of the stigma associated with this course of treatment, but they also come from adult cells. Adult stem cells come from adult individuals, not from embryos or umbilical cord blood. Dr. Bill Johnson only uses adult stem cells harvested directly from the patient as a method of treatment. Adult stem cells are most commonly derived from bone marrow and fat. At Innovations Stem Cell Center, we use adult stem cells from the patient’s own fat. These are called adipose-derived adult stem cells.

These superhero cells really can make a world of difference for people looking for a more natural and less invasive form of treatment. Because stem cells can replicate themselves and fundamentally transform into different types of cells, they have special abilities to make an infinite number of new, healthy cells in the parts of the body where they are needed. Therefore, stem cell therapy replaces or repairs damaged or compromised cells with new, healthy and functional cells. It might seem like magic, but it’s really just biology and science at work, healing our bodies in the most natural way possible.

Stem cell therapy is slowly changing the face of modern medicine. Because of stem cells’ distinctive qualities, doctors are discovering new ways to utilize them in the treatment of a number of health conditions. Many chronic illnesses and diseases have led patients to seek long-term, heavily invasive treatments to simply manage their symptoms or conditions. For some of these conditions, like the ones Dr. Bill Johnson treats in his office with stem cell therapy, it’s incredible to think that our bodies have had the solution all along. If you’re living with any of these conditions, contact our office today at 214-256-1462 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bill Johnson to learn more about how stem cell therapy may be beneficial for you.

Changing Lives by Delivering Your Own Healing Power.
Everyone deserves a chance at less pain. We have helped many patients have tremendous results with positive outcomes and zero complications. Be our next success story and finally live the life you may have once thought impossible.

Stems cells have taken the medical world by storm, but many people are unaware of the integral role they play in treating chronic illness and diseases. The term "stem cell" still carries quite a bit of stigma, most likely because people don’t fully understand the way stem cells are harvested and used in medical treatment models. At Innovations Stem Cell Center, Dr. Bill Johnson uses stem cells to treat a number of illnesses and diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), spinal cord injuries and even sports injuries. But what are stem cells, and how exactly can we use them to treat medical conditions?

Stem cells are some of our bodies most unique cells because they have two very important characteristics that set them apart from other cells. They can replicate, essentially making new copies of themselves, and they have the ability to become other types of cells. Stem cells come from a number of sources, like embryos and umbilical cord blood which are often the source of much of the stigma associated with this course of treatment, but they also come from adult cells. Adult stem cells come from adult individuals, not from embryos or umbilical cord blood. Dr. Bill Johnson only uses adult stem cells harvested directly from the patient as a method of treatment. Adult stem cells are most commonly derived from bone marrow and fat. At Innovations Stem Cell Center, we use adult stem cells from the patient’s own fat. These are called adipose-derived adult stem cells.

These superhero cells really can make a world of difference for people looking for a more natural and less invasive form of treatment. Because stem cells can replicate themselves and fundamentally transform into different types of cells, they have special abilities to make an infinite number of new, healthy cells in the parts of the body where they are needed. Therefore, stem cell therapy replaces or repairs damaged or compromised cells with new, healthy and functional cells. It might seem like magic, but it’s really just biology and science at work, healing our bodies in the most natural way possible.

Stem cell therapy is slowly changing the face of modern medicine. Because of stem cells’ distinctive qualities, doctors are discovering new ways to utilize them in the treatment of a number of health conditions. Many chronic illnesses and diseases have led patients to seek long-term, heavily invasive treatments to simply manage their symptoms or conditions. For some of these conditions, like the ones Dr. Bill Johnson treats in his office with stem cell therapy, it’s incredible to think that our bodies have had the solution all along. If you’re living with any of these conditions, contact our office today at 214-256-1462 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bill Johnson to learn more about how stem cell therapy may be beneficial for you.

Sports can be rough on joints and cartilage, especially shoulders, knees, and hips. Kelly Cunningham, MD, has cared for many young and mature athletes whose joints take a beating day in and day out. He welcomes patients from Austin, Texas, and its surrounding communities to experience the cutting-edge technology and skill offered by his team at Austin Ortho + Biologics.

Dr. Cunningham works with each athlete to develop an individual treatment plan that emphasizes the least invasive treatments possible with a goal of minimal recuperation and downtime. He combines rigorous standards and quality of care with experience and insight, integrating the best new techniques into the care of each patient.

His patients have included skilled athletes in football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, including members of the Dallas Cowboys at their Austin training camp, Austin Ice Bats hockey players, Southwestern University athletes, and many other college and high school athletes. He served for 15 years as a traveling team physician for the men’s alpine downhill US Olympic Ski Team, providing on-the-hill medical race coverage in North America and Europe, including qualifying races for the Winter Olympics.

As a sports medicine specialist, Dr. Cunningham also treats many seasoned weekend warriors such as runners, skiers (downhill, snowboard, and water), and tennis and golf enthusiasts.

After medical school and residency training in Dallas, he completed a sports medicine/knee fellowship with renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colorado, and underwent further shoulder training in England and Canada.

While with Dr. Steadman, the originator of the popular microfracture cartilage treatment technique, he developed a strong interest in the care of cartilage injuries and now has more than 20 years of experience with surgical microfracture and related procedures. In recent years, he has closely monitored cutting-edge techniques as they’re developed for use in these acute and chronic problems.
When pain is preventing you from participating in your favorite activities, getting a good night’s sleep, or simply carrying the groceries, it’s time to see the experts at Austin Ortho+Bio  and Sports Medicine. Whether your condition is due to a sports mishap, an accident, or a work-related injury, when you are seen by Dr. Kelly Cunningham you can be confident knowing that you will be treated by an experienced specialist who is dedicated to providing you with the most advanced treatment options.
Dr. Cunningham researches the latest, most innovative treatment protocols to deliver to his patients.