Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, which leads to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility in the affected joint. Until the introduction of stem cell therapy, most treatment protocols were limited to the use of pain medication until the patient reached the inevitable stage of joint replacement surgery.
We specialize in very successful stem cell treatments that have helped countless patients suffering from osteoarthritis in their knees, hips, shoulders, and other joints. These treatments involve the use of umbilical-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs).
Where do stem cells come from?
UC-MSCs are a type of stem cell that is obtained from the Wharton’s jelly of the human umbilical cord. These cells differentiate into various cell types, including bone, cartilage, and muscle cells. Moreover, they have immunomodulatory properties that enable them to regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, which is a key feature of osteoarthritis.
Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells are used to treat osteoarthritis through an intra-articular injection. This involves injecting the stem cells directly into the affected joint, where they can promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation.
Medical studies have shown that stem cell injections lead to significant improvements in pain, joint function, and quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2021 showed that intra-articular injection of UC-MSCs improved pain, function, and cartilage regeneration in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
In addition to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, UC-MSCs also have the advantage of being easily obtainable and relatively inexpensive compared to other types of stem cells. The use of UC-MSCs also avoids the ethical concerns associated with the use of embryonic stem cells.
What’s the cost of stem cell therapy?
Does stem cell therapy work for osteoarthritis?
One of our patients is a man in his 70s who was told by his orthopedic surgeon, after viewing his MRI results, that he needed a bilateral knee replacement, meaning both knees. This gentleman decided to seek stem cell therapy treatment with us before seriously considering surgery as his only option.
Six months after his stem cell injections, he returned to his Orthopedic surgeon. The Dr asked how he was doing, and he said he had no pain. The Dr asked what medications he was taking, and he replied none. The surgeon was surprised and asked how this was possible. The patient said that he had undergone stem cell therapy and his pain was gone and function had returned.
Hear his story in his own words
The Dr ordered another MRI so that he could “see what was going on”. When the patient and Dr met to discuss the results, the Dr was shocked. He wrote in his report that there was an unexplained re-growth of cartilage in the knees. The patient asked the Dr why he didn’t mention the stem cell treatment and the Dr replied, “I can’t put that in the report”.
Stem cell therapy has emerged as a serious treatment for osteoarthritis. The ability of these cells to promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation making them an attractive alternative to the use of prescription medications and joint replacement surgery.