Cartilage damage may cause abrasion, chronic pain, and even arthrosis if not treated in the early phase. Cartilage cells do not have the ability to renew themselves. Therefore, when they are dead, they cannot be replaced meaning a permanent damage. Stem cell treatment is effective to stop cartilage damage before the cells are dead. Certain patients benefit significantly from stem cell transplants.
What is Stem Cell Treatment?
Stem cells can divide and multiply, thereby renewing the original tissue. Stem cell treatment means transplantation of intact stem cells of the patient to the damaged site and stimulate tissue healing. Stem cell treatment is now used in many fields in medicine including treatment of pain.
How are Stem Cells Obtained?
Adipose tissue and bone marrow are the major sources of stem cells. Stem cells are obtained from the hip bone or abdominal fat tissue under local anaesthesia. Following some steps of processing, the stem cells become ready for transplantation to the damaged sites.
How is the Stem Cell Treatment Performed?
The processed pure stem cells are delivered to the damaged site by the help of a syringe. When there is damage in the knee cartilage, stem cells can be injected in combination with collagen and/or hyaluronic acid to enhance the clinical outcomes.
Benefits of Stem Cell Treatment in Joint Pain
The benefits and advantages of stem cell treatment can be listed as follows:
- Further progression of cartilage damage can be prevented,
- Helps to eradicate joint pain,
- It is much easier compared to the surgery,
- Successful stem cell treatment prevents further need for surgical operation,
- Meniscus lacerations may benefit from stem cell treatment.
Which Patients Benefit From Stem Cell Treatment?
- Mainly knee and hip joints that suffer from cartilage damage, but also shoulder, hand, and ankle joints,
- Avascular necrosis (Osteonecrosis),
- Unhealed/non-responsive bone fractures,
- Meniscus laceration,
- Muscle and tendon lacerations.
In Which Patients Stem Cell Treatment is Not Appropriate?
- Patients with severe cartilage damage or complete loss of cartilage who need surgery
- Obese patients whose body mass index (BMI) is above 30
- Rheumatoid diseases and diseases of the immune system