How Does Stem Cell Therapy Help In Knee Cartilage Repair?

In the past few decades, advancements in stem cell research have led the medical community to find possible treatment solutions for many chronic health conditions, from autoimmune diseases to knee cartilage repair. Stem cells offer an innovative regenerative medicine to heal damaged cartilage through healthy tissue regeneration.

This article focuses on the potential of stem cell therapy to treat Osteoarthritis of the knee, a condition that damages the cartilage in the knee and impacts mobility. Read further to learn how stem cells heal damaged tissues and improve the quality of life of patients.

Table of contents:

Read Also: Healing Power Of Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide

Conclusion

The emergence of stem cell-based regenerative medicine has brought pathbreaking approaches to addressing various degenerative conditions, including knee osteoarthritis. The multipotency of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), self-renewal, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, and ease of isolation highlight the potential of MSCs for cellular-based therapeutic approaches.

In various clinical and preclinical trials, promising results demonstrated the potential of stem cells in healthy cartilage regeneration. They help promote faster healing and improve joint mobility with enhanced balance and stability.

Stem Cell Therapy Vs. Knee Replacement: Which One to Choose?

Around 16% of the world population is grappling with chronic knee pain due to degenerative conditions, overuse, or injury. For decades, knee replacement surgery was the only recourse to restore joint function and improve mobility. However, as time passes, new treatment solutions emerge with the advancements in medical research. As a result of this paradigm shift, innovative alternatives like stem cell therapy came to light. Regenerative treatment with stem cells addresses knee pain effectively, and patients can avoid complex surgical procedures.

Although numerous studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that stem cells can promote cartilage regeneration in affected joints, most patients are skeptical about the efficacy of the process. At the same time, deciding on knee replacement surgery is challenging, considering its invasive nature, high cost, and lengthy rehabilitation. So, how do you decide which treatment is best for you?

This blog post will guide you on both treatment procedures so that you can make an optimal and informed decision.

Table of Contents

• Overview of Knee Replacement Surgery
• Pros and Cons of Knee Replacement Surgery
• Overview of Stem Cell Therapy For Knee Pain
• Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Therapy For Knee Pain
• Stem Cell Therapy Vs. Knee Replacement – Which one to choose?
• Future of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Knee Pain

Overview of Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement is an invasive surgery that replaces the damaged part of your knee or the entire knee joint with artificial implants. This method has been used for years to treat severe knee arthritis caused by cartilage wear and tear.

The orthopedic surgeon makes an incision on the knee under general or spinal anesthesia to remove the damaged cartilage and bones. The artificial joint, called a prosthesis, is then precisely placed in the same area, restoring knee joint alignment and function. The prosthesis consists of metal, plastic, or both and is secured in place with a press-fit or a specialized material. The incision is then covered.

Pros and Cons of Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery, being an old-age or conventional treatment, has become a standard medical procedure to address severe knee pain and inflammation. However, like every other treatment, this also has some drawbacks. Let’s go through the advantages and disadvantages one by one.

Pros of knee replacement surgery

• Surgery’s effects can last more than 15 years with proper care and restrictions.
• It has a high success rate as it can significantly eliminate or decrease knee pain, providing lasting relief to patients.
• Knee replacement restores joint mobility, and many patients can engage in physical activities that they couldn’t do for years.
• Patients can regain personal independence and move freely with pain relief and restored mobility.

Cons of knee replacement surgery

• The surgery is time-consuming, and the patient must stay in the hospital for 4-5 days following surgery.
• It has a lengthy recovery period, from six weeks to three months.
• Supportive treatments like physiotherapy are needed to restore strength and mobility.
• Complete movement restrictions up to 4-6 weeks of surgery, after which one can return to normalcy.
• There can be wear and tear, dislocation, or loosening of the prosthesis after a specific time.
• The surgery poses the risks of infection, blood clots, nerve or blood vessel damage, and anesthesia complications.

Overview of Stem Cell Therapy For Knee Pain

Stem cells are immature and undifferentiated cells in the human body that can develop and multiply into various cell types. Although stem cells are a new treatment, doctors are utilizing their remarkable regenerative capabilities to treat chronic knee pain.

Stem cell therapy for knee pain is a minimally invasive and outpatient procedure and typically does not require general anesthesia. The process involves injecting concentrated stem cell solutions into the patient’s knee to repair damaged tissues and promote cartilage regeneration.

Related Read: Can Stem Cell Therapy Provide Relief From Chronic Knee Pain?

Pros and Cons of Stem Cell Therapy For Knee Pain

One of the primary reasons stem cell therapy is gaining massive popularity as a treatment option for chronic knee pain is because it is less invasive with a minimal recovery period. However, it has certain limitations that compel patients to choose surgery over therapy.

Pros of stem cell therapy for knee pain

• Simple and quick procedure with minimum pain and discomfort
• Patients can return home the same day and resume daily activities within 2-3 days.
• It effectively treats multiple knee joints because stem cells address the root cause of cartilage damage. Healthy stem cells reach all the damaged tissue in the joint and promote natural healing.
• The process of tissue repair and regeneration starts after a couple of weeks.
• The newly introduced stem cells continue producing new cells for over a year, improving symptoms.

Cons of stem cell therapy for knee pain

• The effects of stem cell therapy may last two to three years, after which one might need another round of injections.
• Cell-based therapies are effective for treating early-stage knee osteoarthritis.
• Although it is a promising treatment option, it is still relatively new in medical science, and further research is needed to establish its full potential, benefits, and risks.

Stem Cell Therapy Vs. Knee Replacement – Which one to choose?

Here comes the most critical question of our exploration! Though both can effectively address knee pain and restore joint function, the best course of treatment depends on your physical condition and personal preferences. The best thing to do is to allow your physician to take the final call. Your doctor knows your current health condition and medical history and can better understand which procedure suits you.

Both treatments have a high success rate, but you must understand that the rate varies depending on the severity of the knee pain and the patient’s health. Preclinical studies showed that stem cell therapy is effective in treating mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, with success rates around 70-80%. This regenerative medicine requires more long-term clinical trials and follow-up data to determine its efficacy in addressing severe knee pain.

Knee replacement, on the other hand, is an age-old treatment with a proven track record of high success rates of nearly 90%. However, there are many complications and risks associated with the surgery, making it a less preferred choice for patients. Also, surgery technique, implant type, and patient’s overall health are directly related to its success.

After weighing out the pros and cons of both procedures, it would be justifiable to conclude that stem cell therapy is more suitable for those whose health conditions do not allow for surgery. It is also the best option if you are looking for a natural and sustainable treatment to address pain. Ultimately, the decision will always be personal, based on your situation and the doctor’s opinion.

Future of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Knee Pain

The rapid progress in stem cell research has led the medical community to consider whether cell-based regenerative treatments will completely replace surgeries. Although it’s too soon to draw any conclusion, the future of stem cell therapy looks promising.

In inflammatory autoimmune conditions, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, injecting stem cells is the better choice because it treats multiple joints. However, surgery is most suitable for severe knee damage due to injury or excessive wear and tear.

One thing is sure: stem cell treatment as an alternative to conventional knee replacement offers patients the opportunity to make a well-informed choice best suited for lasting relief and individual health needs.

Read Also: Healing Power Of Stem Cell Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide

End Note

Stem cell therapy is emerging as an advanced breakthrough in chronic knee pain management. As per the opinions of health advocates, this ultramodern treatment is a boon for patients who want a painless and less invasive method to get relief from pain. The therapy eliminates the intricacies one faces during surgery and in the post-surgery recovery period.

When deciding whether to go for stem cell therapy to alleviate knee pain, your first step is to speak to a healthcare professional. Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute, a reputed clinic for stem cell therapy in Mexico, can help you determine whether you are the right candidate. With our state-of-the-art treatment facility and qualified stem cell experts, we can assist you in making the best decision and getting back to your active life.

Can Stem Cell Therapy Provide Relief From Chronic Knee Pain?

Is persistent knee pain upsetting your daily rhythm? Explore the unmatched potential of stem cell treatment for knees, a modern-day medicinal breakthrough that stimulates the body’s regenerative self-healing power, without the need for surgery.

Say goodbye to enduring knee discomfort and reclaim the natural healing power of your body without spending a fortune or months on treatment and recovery.

1. What is Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain?

Stem cell treatment is a regenerative approach to treatment, offering hope to millions around the globe suffering from osteoarthritis and chronic knee pain. This non-invasive procedure promotes the development of new tissues and the restoration of the damaged ones. The introduction of human umbilical cord tissue-derived (HUCT) mesenchymal cells directly into the knee joint fosters healing and regeneration.

Stem cell therapy for chronic knee pain utilizes the inner self-healing capacities of the joint, providing a less painful and shorter alternative to knee replacement surgery. Contemporary research indicates that stem cell therapy activates the joint’s damaged tissues to undergo self-repair. Widely regarded as a regenerative solution, it targets inflammation, alleviates joint pain, and potentially does away with the necessity for knee replacement operations, especially among the elderly.

While knee pain and osteoarthritis (OA) generally afflict older individuals, the young are now fully exempt, experiencing pain and discomfort in their joints due to sports injuries or accidents.

Therefore, if you wish to harness this immense potential of medical science and receive stem cell treatment for knee pain in Mexico, the US, Canada, and other regions, book a call with our stem cell specialists today.

2. Understanding Knee Pain – A Global Health Issue

Knee joints are among the most complex and powerful movable components of the human body. They provide support to the body’s weight and facilitate the motion of the lower limbs. Their proper functioning is essential for sitting, standing, walking, running, and basically all other leg movements.

However, due to the numerous comforts and facilities of modern life, lack of exercise, and obesity, along with old age, medical practitioners are witnessing a sharp rise in the number of patients with knee pain and osteoarthritis. Recent medical research suggests that over one-third of Americans are suffering from chronic knee pain and around 21.2% of all adults (roughly 53 million) have been diagnosed with arthritis of some type or the other. The global picture is a grim one as well, with significant percentages of individuals above the age of 40 reporting issues of chronic knee pain.

Unfortunately, there is a limited number of treatments for osteoarthritis and other conditions that cause knee pain. Cortisone injections, which are aimed at reducing pain and swelling, can often lead to secondary tissues at the injection site. This poses considerable risks such as infection in the joints, nerve damage, skin thinning, temporary aggravation of pain, weakened tendons, bone thinning, and bone necrosis.

The alternative to this is knee replacement surgery which carries the risks of standard or local anesthesia, invasive procedures, and anti-inflammatory drugs, one of the leading causes of acute liver damage in the USA and Canada.

Hence, stem cell therapy for knee pain is being considered far and wide as a feasible alternative to more expensive and invasive treatment methods. However, understanding how stem cell therapy works, its associated recovery periods, the various conditions it can address, and the criteria for eligibility are to be considered carefully before you opt for this treatment.

3. Symptoms of Osteoarthritis and Chronic Knee Pain

The manifestations of osteoarthritis vary from individual to individual and can range from mild to severe, based on the patient’s age. Predominantly, knee pain and intermittent inflammation stand out as the most observable symptoms, with some patients experiencing pain-free intervals. Beyond pain, patients may report stiffness, swelling, weakness, and joint creaking.

These symptoms hinder free movement, as joints play a crucial role in supporting the upper body and providing stability during activities such as bending, walking, running, crouching, climbing, and jumping. Any injury or damage to bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or cartilage within the joints can lead to pain and inflammation, reducing the range of motion. This limitation can escalate into ligament laxity and increased muscle wasting, ultimately compromising the strength and stability of the knees.

Knee pain stemming from osteoarthritis primarily results from the biochemical breakdown of joint cartilage. Osteoarthritis is categorized into primary and secondary types based on its underlying causes.

Primary Osteoarthritis: This prevalent type arises from the gradual wear and tear of tissues in the knee joints over time. Aging is a significant factor, with the longer utilization of joints associated with an increased likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.

Secondary Osteoarthritis: This type is influenced by external factors such as injuries, accidents, joint trauma, existing ailments, inherent joint deformities, infection, and metabolic dysfunctions. Unlike primary osteoarthritis, symptoms of this type may not be exclusive to older individuals; young people can also experience chronic knee pain due to these underlying reasons.

4. What Conditions Can Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain Treat?

Our treatment process at Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is effective for multiple knee joint issues and conditions including osteoarthritis, cartilage degradation, and other acute cases such as ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial cruciate ligament), or meniscus problems.

For osteoarthritis and cartilage issues, stem cells facilitate the rebuilding of tissues while for the mentioned ligament conditions, they can speed up the recovery process after surgery or treatment.

Given that cartilage lacks the ability to regenerate, individuals have only the amount they are born with. Once years of physical activity erode cartilage from the joints, there has traditionally been no means of replacement or regrowth. Stem cell treatment for knee pain has empowered physicians to introduce regenerative master cells that can transform into previously limited cell types. This boosts the joint’s ability to rebuild and restore itself.

5. How Does Stem Cell Therapy for Knees Work?

While it sounds like a rather intensive procedure, stem cell therapy is fairly straightforward and is minimally invasive. At Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute, all our treatment procedures are planned individually and supervised by Dr. Josemaria Torres Farber who has over 25 years of experience in the field of surgery and stem cell medicine. For our stem cell therapies, we use only allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells from the human umbilical cord tissue (HUCT) of medically tested mothers following healthy and normal births.

The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are isolated from the umbilical cord and used to prepare injections. Stem cells are injected directly into the patient’s knee joints through intra-articular infusions.

Once they reach your cartilage and knee bones, the stem cells start exerting their regenerative and healing influence in the local tissue environment. The working mechanisms of MSCs include reducing inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) and enhancing immune system functions.

After the process is completed, our medical team provides comprehensive supportive care and treatment to ensure the quick recovery of our patients.

6. After Stem Cell Therapy – Recovery and Follow-Up

The exact duration of the treatment process depends on the healthcare facility administering it and the level of knee damage. Some clinics recommend a series of separate injections over a period of time with periods of interval.

Our stem cell therapy in Mexico follows a quick and painless administration process that usually takes an hour or two. In most cases, our stem cell recipients are up and walking within 4 to 5 days after getting treated.

Initially, some patients may have minor discomfort while performing joint movements and can need assistance. We offer first-rate follow-up and post-care support to all our patients after they receive stem cell therapy.

We stay committed as your dedicated partners well beyond the completion of the treatment process and after you return home. Our ongoing support extends to your home environment through regular follow-up sessions. These sessions are scheduled at regular intervals to monitor your progress, provide assistance, and address your further questions and concerns.

Read Also: The Mysterious World of Stem Cells Unveiled

7. What is the Cost of Stem Cell Treatment for Knee Pain?

The cost of stem cell therapy, once again, depends on the institute you are getting the treatment from, exact physical conditions, the patient’s medical history, and other details regarding the treatment process. Our foremost priority is the well-being of our patients. Our focus is to offer them a cost-effective treatment that profoundly benefits their lives and day-to-day activities. The pricing of our treatment is influenced primarily by the following factors.

• The exact nature and severity of the patient’s knee condition
• Underlying or pre-existing conditions such as genetic disorders, past surgeries, medications, and so on
• The patient’s height and weight for body-mass index
• Other factors beyond immediate control such as fluctuations in medicine prices, equipment, shortages, etc.

For the exact details regarding pricing and treatment durations, book a consultation and get in touch with our stem cell experts today.

8. Why Choose Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute

Our team, headed by Dr. Josemaria Torres Farber, consists of stem cell specialists with years of training and experience in the USA and Canada. With their in-depth knowledge of treating individuals with osteoarthritis and joint inflammations, they can get a comprehensive understanding of each separate case. This aids in recommending, planning, and executing a foolproof treatment and post-therapy care procedure depending on the severity of the patient’s condition.

If you’re looking to reclaim your health with lasting relief from chronic knee pain and discomfort, schedule a call with our experts today.