Polona Podnar - Crystal MC

Dr POLONA PODNAR

Dr.med., Specialist in Gynaecology and Obstetrics

Polona Podnar graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Ljubljana.
She joined the UKC Ljubljana, where she specialised in gynaecology and obstetrics at the Gynaecology Clinic, and gained experience working and on-call at the Postojna Hospital and the Jesenice General Hospital.
After her specialist examination in 2008, she continued her work at the Clinical Department of Perinatology of the Gynaecology Clinic in Ljubljana.  

In 2014, she founded a private gynaecological clinic – Podnar Medical Centre, where she focuses on women’s health at all stages of life.
The main areas of work are pregnancy management and prenatal diagnostics, treatment of urinary incontinence, hormone treatment in peri-/menopause and treatment of osteoporosis.

Andrej

Treatment of joint pain with mesenchymal stromal stem cells

“I have suffered from chronic joint pain, especially in my knees, for several years. Traditional treatments such as physical therapy, painkillers and even corticosteroid injections have only provided temporary relief. Desperate for a more permanent solution, I started researching alternative treatments and came across mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy. After consulting my doctor and doing extensive research, I decided to give it a try.

The treatment process was simple and professionally managed. The first consultation included a thorough assessment of my condition and detailed information on how MSC therapy works. The procedure itself was minimally invasive and surprisingly quick.

What surprised me most was the gradual but noticeable improvement in my condition. Within a few weeks I felt significant pain relief and increased mobility. Tasks that had become difficult or impossible, such as walking up stairs, lifting objects and even walking for long periods of time, became much easier. The stiffness and constant pain that had plagued me for years were greatly reduced. Three months after treatment, I can say with certainty that the improvement has been remarkable. The quality of my life has improved significantly.

I highly recommend MSC therapy to anyone who suffers from chronic joint pain. It has been a game changer for me, providing long term relief where other treatments have failed. The professionalism and care of the medical team (Crystal?) combined with the innovation of the treatment made for an exceptional experience. If you are considering this option, I would recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional to determine whether MSC therapy could be the solution you have been looking for.

Milena

Stem cell therapy for arthrosis of the fingers of the hand

“My name is Milena and I am happy to share my experience of stem cell therapy for Heberden’s and Bouchard’s osteoarthritis of the toes. For years I have been struggling with unbearable pain and swelling in most of my fingers, but especially in three of them, which has affected my daily life.
After extensive research and consultations, I was advised by rheumatologists that medicine has no cure for small joint diseases and that I can only relieve them with painkillers. So I decided to try stem cell therapy. In the procedure, stem cells were injected into each joint of the fingers of both hands. The procedure went smoothly and professionally, but also with not too much pain.

The results were great. I noticed a significant reduction in swelling and pain in a short time. Gradually, the mobility of my fingers improved to some extent, but most importantly, I no longer woke up at night in pain, I no longer had to take painkillers and I was able to do everyday tasks again, including gardening.
Stem cell therapy has made my life easier and, above all, it has eliminated the need to take painkillers, which in the long run also have side effects. I am immensely grateful for the advances in medical science that have made this possible and for the skilled professionals who have guided the treatment. If you suffer from osteoarthritis, I recommend that you opt for stem cell therapy.”

Katarina

Stem cell therapy for knee arthritis
“I was struggling with knee problems. My GP referred me for a check-up and I was diagnosed with arthritis, which required treatment. The only solution was surgery, but I had to wait several months for the procedure. During this time, I would have to take strong painkillers on a daily basis. I did not want to have surgery myself, as I had already had two hip operations, which took a very long time to recover from, and I did not like that, as I am a person who enjoys an active life.
When I started researching alternatives, I first heard about prp therapy, but I quickly learned that it would probably not work in my case. I continued my search and came across GaiaCell, where they produce advanced mesenchymal stem cell therapies, which are then used in treatment by specialists at Crystal MC. I decided to have a consultation at Crystal Medical Centre, where I was warmly welcomed by an orthopaedic surgeon and given a thorough examination. They assessed that MSCs could be a viable solution to my problems, suggested a treatment plan and the amount of cells I needed. I was advised to take my time to think things over, as the cost of the therapy as a pensioner did not seem small to me at first. After thinking it over, I decided to give it a try, thinking that if the stem cells didn’t help, I could always go ahead with the surgery.
I called them and they quickly confirmed the appointment. GaiaCell and Crystal Medical Centre are very responsive, flexible and fast – exactly what patients want. The orthopaedic surgeon explained everything in detail before the procedure, which gave me a lot of confidence. The procedure itself was calm and I didn’t feel too scared. After the procedure, I was warned that there might be mild swelling and that I needed to rest, and I did so. Even though I was no longer in pain and would have liked to go for a long walk, I made sure to listen to the advice of the experts.
It has now been two months and I no longer have any pain in my knee. If I could go back, I would do it again. I would advise anyone who has similar problems to consult Crystal – they will honestly explain all the options you have, assess your condition and suggest the amount of stem cells. For any concerns, they explain everything to you in detail and assess realistic therapy options. It is true that the therapy is self-pay, but the staff explained to me why the price is that way and that they try to keep the price as low as possible to make the therapies available to a wider range of people. Now that I look back, the price is really not that high compared to avoiding surgery, as I already felt a lot of relief after the therapy.
Thank you, GaiaCell and Crystal, for your professional approach and great experience.