Stem cell treatment helps Dalton man recover from flesh-eating bacteria

[barbara]

Thanks to Danny for this article. This is phenomenal news. Where's the rest of the media? Where's CNN?

http://wap.myfoxatlanta.com/w/main/story/62780081/


MyFox Atlanta
May 31, 2012

A cutting edge procedure in the fight against flesh-eating bacteria could land a Georgia podiatrist in the history books.

Seven months ago, Dr. Spence Misner started using an experimental procedure so that he would not have to amputate his patient's foot -- and it worked.

Bobby Rice, 50, cut his foot on glass last summer. He used super glue and bandaged it up. Weeks ago, it was infected. He was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis - the same bacteria that 24-year-old Aimee Copeland is battling.

Dr. Misner said that in November, he performed a stem-cell transplant procedure using placenta membrane, which contained growth factors and stem cells to help heal and repair Rice's foot.

"When it was in contact with skin, it allowed skin to grow. When it was with fat, it allowed fat to grow. It also helped to regenerate his nerves to the point where Bobby is now ticklish. Before, he was totally neuropathic, meaning he was totally numb," said Misner.

Seven months later, Rice is standing and moving using a walker.

"That's the reason why I'm still here, to show people that this is real and it's not like what they think about stem cells. It's something good," said Rice.

Misner says news of the procedure has spread fast. He has already received calls from patients across the country.