Osteoarthritis is a chronic, often debilitating condition that impacts over 32.5 million adults in the United States. Also referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis or OA, people all too often assume that little can be done to reverse osteoarthritis after it has occurred. But, with advancements in regenerative medicine, there are now non-surgical treatments available to help repair the damage of OA. Stem cell therapy, in particular, is an effective treatment to relieve pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis.
Understanding Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when a joint’s cartilage starts to break down. The cartilage cushions the joint and prevents friction on the bone when you move. So, when the cartilage degenerates, the bones in the joint start to rub against each other. This often leads to pain, inflammation, and a lost range of motion in the joint. Over time, osteoarthritis can even lead to bone spurs, which are excess bone tissue that can develop around the arthritic joint. While this condition can impact any joint in the body, it most commonly affects the spine, hips, and knees.
Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis
Stem cells can regenerate into different types of cells with specialized functions. So, when stem cells are directed to injured tissue with the help of platelets, they can stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Stem cells can both regenerate damaged tissue and support the damaged cells’ ability to repair themselves. This results in a dramatic improvement to symptoms of OA over time.
In stem cell therapy, the cells are collected from the patient. This means that no foreign substances are used in the treatment process. Typically, the stem cells are taken by aspirating the bone marrow at the back of the patient’s pelvis or by taking fat cells from the abdomen. Once the stem cells have been isolated in a centrifuge, they can be injected into the joint(s) affected by osteoarthritis. The repair process may take two to three months after the initial injection as the stem cells work to regenerate the affected tissue.
To learn more about the benefits of stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis and other conditions, schedule a free consultation at the Regenerative Orthopedic Institute today!