The Benefits Of Stem Cell Therapy In Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a rheumatic disease that damages the cartilage. Damage to this cartilage causes pain, stiffness, and functional impairment. Most people over 80 suffer from osteoarthritis to some degree, which usually begins between the ages of 40 and 50. Osteoarthritis usually affects the spine, shoulders, fingers, hips, knees, and toes.
Many diseases can be treated with stem cell therapies. Osteoarthritis patients benefit from stem cell therapy because it regenerates cartilage, avoids surgery, and improves their quality of life.
Medical treatments involving stem cells and their by-products are currently very promising. For the first time in decades, one of the best advancements in sports medicine and traumatology has been made: Spanish scientists managed to regenerate tendons in 100% of injured patients, resulting in a reduction in pain and a return to sports within two months, just six months after the trial was done.
The fatty tissue within our bodies is an excellent source of MSCs, as we’ve mentioned in previous posts. In most patients, fat tissue can be harvested minimally invasively providing a highly viable MSC population regardless of donor age. As with MSCs derived from other tissues, adipose tissue-derived MSCs have regenerative properties. Stem cell treatments for osteoarthritis are needed due to the prevalence of osteoarthritis, especially knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis And MSCs Derived From Fat
It is a minimally invasive technique in which patients’ own fat stem cells are used to regenerate ligaments, tendons, joints, and muscles. The regenerative capacity is independent of their age. This procedure can even help older people.
Stem cell injections, especially in the early stages of osteoarthritis, can stop inflammation and degeneration, especially in less advanced stages. Aside from preventing physical deterioration of the articular cartilage, this treatment is very well tolerated by patients and prevents the need for surgical procedures.
Osteoarthritis And Tendinopathies Of The Knee
Patellar tendinopathy or patellar tendinitis is an injury to the patellar tendon that connects the kneecap to the tibia. Your patellar tendon extends your knee so you can run, jump, and kick. Most likely to get patellar tendonitis are athletes who play sports that require a lot of jumping, like basketball and volleyball. However, people who don’t engage in jumping sports may develop patellar tendonitis. Patellar tendinitis is usually treated with physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the knees.
Tendinopathies are usually treated with strength training and eccentric resistance. Another option is to use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow to regenerate injured patellar tendons. The structure of this tissue – which is always difficult to treat – is restored within six months of treatment, reaching a regeneration rate of 40% in all injured people, with gradual improvements that eventually become complete, after six months.
Studies have shown that traditional management methods, including isometric and eccentric exercises, shock wave therapy, and even surgery, have limited success. In chronic patellar tendinopathy, The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from bone marrow or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as an alternative treatment may reduce pain and improve activity levels in active participants with chronic patellar tendinopathy.
For more information and whether you are eligible for stem cell therapy, get in touch with us today so we can learn more about your case and provide you with the guidance you need to understand stem cells’ potential benefits.