Muscular Dystrophy Cases Can be Treated With Stem Cell Therapy

A 20-year-old man suffering from Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) - a condition which slowly weakens and degenerates all the muscles of the body leading to disability - was treated using stem cell therapy at a city-based hospital.

Aditya Bhatia was diagnosed with Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD) in 2012. It started after he found it difficult to lift his arms over the head -- one of the main and strongest symptoms. Consultations with several doctors did not find Bhatia any solution, and his condition grew severe and started affecting other parts of the body such as face.

‘Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy usually begins before age 20, with weakness and atrophy of the muscles around the eyes and mouth, shoulders, upper arms and lower legs. Later, weakness can spread to abdominal muscles and sometimes hip muscles.’

FSHD usually begins before age 20, with weakness and atrophy of the muscles around the eyes and mouth, shoulders, upper arms and lower legs. Later, weakness can spread to abdominal muscles and sometimes hip muscles.

Experts says that FSHD can be divided into adult-onset and infantile-onset forms.

Bhatia's parents had heard about the stem cell treatment which had proved effective in many diseases such as spinal diseases. Accordingly, they consulted doctors on stem cell therapy and decided to give it a try.

All the procedures were followed and he was tested for hyper sensitivity reactions with stem cells, also known as Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy.

Doctors said that during the treatment procedure, Bhatia was injected with 0.05 ml stem cells.

"The treatment included 3 phases T1, T2, T3 so that the stem cell could grow, regenerate and repair the affected part. Each treatment phase lasted 4-6 weeks and was 5 months apart, wherein he was continuously administered by physicians," said Geeta Shroff, Director and Stem cell specialist city based Nutech Mediworld.

She said that in addition to stem cell therapy, Bhatia also received physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

"After the treatment he was able to regain his normal life," said Shroff.

Source: IANS