Regenerative Medicine Requires A Paradigm Shift In Outcome Measures

Abstract

Regenerative medicine is an emerging multidisciplinary science that endeavours to replace or regenerate human cells, tissues and organs to establish or restore normal function. The regenerative medicine field results from the convergence of multiple scientific avenues, including the successful growth of cells in the laboratory, identification, characterization and differentiation of stem cells and the improved understanding and development of molecular biology. This allows for the control of the intracellular and extracellular environment to promote tissue and organ formation in the lab. Regenerative medicine consists of three factors: cell, chemical substance and scaffolds from this point of view the process resembles anti-aging medicine. And offers the potential to revolutionize patient care in the twenty-first century, and thus a reset of outcome measures and basic principles in medicine must be considered.

Kohler's Disease Case Report: Treatment with Regenerative Distraction Arthroplasty Technology

“…Principles of Regeneration [18][19][20][21][22] It would appear there is a greater chance of success with younger patients, a shorter period of time since the initiating event and a stable well aligned joint. It would also appear that regeneration is a much more complex decision-making process for patient selection than for fusion or joint replacement.…”

“…Just as with amputation which we removes disease process and limb completely, fusion and joint replacement replace the joint "organ". As such they can be described as organ loss procedures [20]. Regeneration falls into organ salvage/preservation and as such is more akin to dentistry where the salvation of the tooth and ongoing maintenance is paramount [23,24].…”

“…For the surgeon and patient, a constellation of factors need to be considered to predict the chance of success and the time that success will likely take [20,21]. In essence, you regenerate when you can still regenerate.…”