More than a quarter of Americans will have knee pain at some point in their lives, many of whom will experience disruptions to their daily life due to their discomfort. While there are therapies available to help, including medication and physical therapy, people with more severe symptoms often require surgery. Of course, invasive procedures carry their own risks and may have long recovery periods.
Recently, an alternate option for anyone who may be dealing with significant knee pain but would like to delay or avoid surgery: stem cell therapy. Here’s a closer look at what it entails.
Stem Cell Treatment for Knees
Stem cell therapy uses the body’s natural repair kit to reduce pain. While most cells in the body only have one job, stem cells can divide and differentiate into virtually any other specialized cell, including muscle cells. While the full potential of stem cells has not yet been discovered, many researchers have found that they can help to regenerate tissue. This ability is particularly useful in injuries that don’t heal well on their own, such as joint issues.
In this treatment, stem cells are either donated from umbilical cord-derived tissue (Wharton’s Jelly) or sourced from the patient themselves, in the form of bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue. Then, the cells are readministered to target areas of the knee to repair damaged tissue and replace cells that have been compromised, such as seen in arthritis, or an injury.
While results may vary from one patient to the next, there has been evidence that stem cell therapy can reduce discomfort in the knee by as much as 75%. This could also be attributed to the stem cells’ ability to minimize inflammation. Although the treatment won’t necessarily reverse the damage that’s already been done, patients may be able to enjoy benefits such as reduced pain and joint stiffness, enhanced mobility, and reduced dependency on pain medications.
As with any treatment, it’s important to ensure you’re pursuing stem cell therapy through a trusted provider. Since the treatment involves injecting stem cells into the body, only clinics with the most stringent quality control measures in place should be considered. Additionally, you’ll want to discuss potential benefits and risks with your provider, including what type of results you might expect to see based on your unique condition.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions. Click here to learn more.
