Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis: How Does It Work?

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common orthopedic condition when the cartilage tissues covering the ends of the bones in the joints start deteriorating. This degenerative joint disorder mainly affects aged individuals because the cartilage continuously wears and tears away. Due to constant cartilage degeneration, the ends of the bones lose their protective cushion-like coverings and start rubbing against each other.

Chronic joint pain, inflammation, swelling, and stiffness are the prominent symptoms of OA, resulting in loss of joint function and mobility. Osteoarthritis primarily affects knee, hip, and shoulder joints. Although a common age-related orthopedic condition, OA can also impact young individuals with a history of joint damage, injury, or surgery.

Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Stem cell treatment is a novel regenerative approach to enhance your body’s healing mechanisms from the inside and support cartilage regeneration. Stem cells are unique cells in the human body that can develop into any cell type and duplicate themselves.

Out of all the stem cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from umbilical cord tissue have gained the maximum attention of researchers and healthcare professionals. MSC-based therapy has shown great promise in treating severe inflammatory conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis due to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Human umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCT-MSCs) are young cells with high proliferation capacity, ideal for treating various medical conditions. Upon reaching the affected joints, stem cells regenerate healthy cartilage, help alleviate osteoarthritis pain, and restore joint function.

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

Why Should Osteoarthritis Patients Choose Stem Cell Therapy?

Several studies show that stem cells, when introduced into the injured site, transform into specialized cells to accommodate the needs of the damaged tissues. For instance, stem cells delivered to damaged cartilage in knees differentiate and develop into cartilage tissues. Let’s look at the remarkable benefits stem cell therapy offers OA patients.

• • • Natural repair – Stem cell therapy utilizes the renewal and regenerative potential of umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells to address the underlying cause of OA which affects joints, causing intense knee, hip, or shoulder pain. Its healing mechanisms slow down cartilage degeneration and repair damaged tissues.
    • Immunomodulation – A study on MSC therapy for osteoarthritis treatment indicates that the stem cells regulate the immune response with their immunomodulatory properties, preventing further wear and tear of ends of the bones and improving symptoms in patients.
    • Anti-inflammatory effects – Stem cells release anti-inflammatory factors or cytokines like TGF-β and IL-10, which suppress joint inflammation and reduce pain, enhancing patients’ quality of life.
    • Effectiveness – Various studies testing the efficacy of stem cell therapy concluded that the MSC treatment using cord tissue-derived stem cells offers high efficacy in reducing the severity of Osteoarthritis. Most patients undergoing the procedure have reported tremendous improvement in their joint condition.
    • Safety and feasibility – The treatment of OA utilizing the potential of stem cells showed no prolonged side effects or abnormalities in blood tests or health function indices. Stem cell therapy is, therefore, a safe and reliable treatment option for osteoarthritis patients.
    • Minimally invasive – Stem cell therapy is a non-surgical procedure that has given hope to millions who do not want to experience painful and complicated knee or hip replacement surgeries. Administration of stem cells through intravenous infusions or direct injections into the affected joints is minimally invasive and takes an hour or two to complete.
    • Short recovery period – Unlike surgeries, stem cell treatment is an outpatient procedure requiring less time. The post-treatment recovery period is minimal as patients can typically resume their normal activities within 2-3 days of receiving the injections.

Key Findings of Experts on Stem Cell Research For OA

Discover expert insights on revolutionary stem cell therapy, a pioneering regenerative medicine approach transforming osteoarthritis treatment and care.

• • • Phase I/IIa study on Arthritis on a small sample size indicated that mesenchymal stem cells effectively alleviate pain and restore joint function, flexibility, and mobility over a 52-week study.
    • Studies on the Rat model showed that injecting mesenchymal stem cells reduces the histopathological and clinical severity. The reduced release of inflammatory cytokines significantly suppresses inflammation in the affected areas.
    • Meta-analysis and systematic review of stem cell-based therapy showed no signs of adverse events post-treatment, suggesting it to be a safe and reliable treatment option for OA.
    • Another study on mouse models with HUCT-MSCs significantly reduced the severity of the osteoarthritis condition.

How Much Does Stem Cell Therapy Cost For Osteoarthritis?

The cost of stem cell therapy depends on various factors, such as the location of the treatment facility, types of stem cells, sources of stem cells, dosages, and duration of the treatment. For instance, stem cell therapy in Mexico is cheaper than in other countries such as the United States, Colombia, Singapore, Thailand, etc.

Dosage plays a vital role in determining the cost of the therapy because doctors recommend higher doses for more severe Osteoarthritis. Furthermore, the price varies depending on the procedure of stem cell administration. The cost for site injections, such as knee pain, is usually lower than for intravenous infusions, where cells can circulate throughout the bloodstream.

Best Institute For Advanced Stem Cell Therapy For Osteoarthritis

Life Altering Stem Cell Therapy Institute is a distinguished clinic for affordable stem cell therapy in Mexico, known for its innovative treatments and highly qualified medical professionals. With a notable presence in Mazatlán, Mexico, the institute strives to make a healthier and brighter tomorrow by revolutionizing the treatment of severe and chronic diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, Crohn’s disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Psoriasis, and many other life-impacting medical conditions.

We understand that every individual is different and hence, we carefully plan a personalized treatment protocol that addresses your unique body’s needs. Our trusted medical team and patient coordinators ensure patients have a safe and comfortable stem cell therapy journey at our reliable stem cell center in Mexico. Book a consultation today with our stem cell therapy expert and start your journey towards healing. Doctor Josemaria Torres Farber specializes in treating arthritis conditions such as knee, hip, or shoulder pain and has successfully treated top athletes worldwide.