Stem Cell Research May Yield Help for Burn Victims

Pennsylvania work-related injuries occur in many forms.  We see musculoskeletal trauma, such as a broken wrist or ankle, a herniated disc in the neck or back, or tears in the knee or shoulder, among many others.  Neurological injuries also unfortunately happen, and can include Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or various nerve abnormalities, like carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar neuropathy.  Different than these conditions, though certainly no less serious, can be injuries at work which lead to a severe burn.

For these burn victims, recent research is giving hope to a new way of treatment, using stem cells.  In what sounds like something taken from the pages of a science fiction novel, or a Star Trek episode, according to CNN, RenovaCare has created what it dubs “The SkinGun.”  This amazing tool would take harvested stem cells, put into a water-based solution, and “shoot” the spray onto the burned area.  New skin would then begin to develop at the cellular level.  Typical complications in burn cases, such as infection and a body’s graft rejection, are minimized by the SkinGun.

At this point, the SkinGun has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, though continued research and testing is taking place.  We will continue to monitor this, and other medical advances, to keep our clients well informed.

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