Vic: Stem cells trial helps accelerate repair of broken bones

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2008
Vic: Stem cells trial helps accelerate repair of broken bones

A 36-year-old Victorian man whose leg was severely broken in a motorbike accident is
walking again without the aid of crutches .. after having his own stem cells implanted
to help him heal.

ANTHONY GIANCOLA's one of 10 patients with long bone leg injuries .. who've taken part
in the trials at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

A year after the 2005 injury .. when he suffered a compound fracture of his leg ..

Mr GIANCOLA was still unable to walk freely.

But within two weeks of being implanted with his own bone marrow stem cells .. he was
able to attend a friend's wedding without using crutches and with no pain.

Orthopaedic surgeon RICHARD DE STEIGER says the success paves the way for people who
might otherwise undergo joint replacements .. to have stem cell implants instead.

He says it could cut waiting lists .. with patients previously needing elective surgery
becoming outpatients and recovering in half the time.

AAP RTV jxt/gfr/tm/bart

KEYWORD: BONES (MELBOURNE)

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