If you’re suffering from severe knee pain, you may be evaluating your treatment options. While joint replacement surgery used to be considered one of the only treatments for chronic knee pain, patients can now consider regenerative options like stem cell therapy.
Let’s compare the pros and cons of stem cell therapy and joint replacement for chronic knee pain.
Joint Replacement For Knee Pain
Knee joint replacement has conventionally been used to treat severe knee pain from arthritis. This procedure involves removing damaged knee bone and cartilage, then securing artificial implants to various parts of the knee, including the femur, tibia, and kneecap.
As a major surgery, knee joint replacement requires around three to six months of recovery time. It’s performed under general anesthesia, which poses various risks including allergic reactions, abnormal heart rhythms, and breathing problems. Knee joint replacement surgery also poses the risk of blood clots, excessive bleeding, and infection.
While joint replacement surgery can alleviate pain and restore function in the knee joint, the artificial knee won’t last forever. Knee replacements typically last between 10 and 20 years. So, for example, if you undergo knee replacement surgery in your 40s, you’ll likely need to undergo a second procedure in your 60s to replace the artificial knee.
Stem Cell Therapy For Knee Pain
Stem cell therapy involves injecting the patient’s own stem cells into the area of pain, such as the knee joint. Since stem cells can regenerate into any type of cell, this treatment promotes the gradual regeneration of damaged tissue, leading to lasting pain relief and restoring joint function.
As a minimally-invasive procedure, stem cell therapy is far safer than joint replacement surgery. It uses autologous cells, which eliminates the risk of allergic reactions or the body rejecting the regenerated tissue. Stem cell therapy is administered under local anesthesia with little to no discomfort, and no downtime is required after the treatment.
The process of knee tissue repair after stem cell therapy can take two to three months. However, patients often experience improved pain and function far earlier.
If you’re suffering from chronic knee pain, don’t wait to find relief. Contact the Regenerative Orthopedic Institute in Tampa to schedule a free consultation and learn if you’re a good candidate for stem cell therapy.