Can Stem Cells Repair Damaged Knees

If you have a knee condition such as osteoarthritis, you can feel it with every step you take. Although traditional treatments help many people manage their symptoms, sometimes that relief is not enough. One up-and-coming treatment is stem cells for damaged knees, which may help to actually heal the knees rather than just controlling symptoms.

About Osteoarthritis

When you have arthritis of the knee, the cartilage is damaged and starts to wear away. The joint often has less lubrication, and becomes inflamed, causing the characteristic pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that can get worse with time.

Traditional treatments for knee arthritis usually focus on relieving symptoms without necessarily fixing the degeneration of the joint: 

• Physical therapy - Regular exercise, with techniques learned during physical therapy, is essential to your long-term health
• Weight loss - Excess weight places additional stress on the knees
• Diet - Eating anti-inflammatory foods can help relieve symptoms
• Medication - Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs
• Steroid injections - Provide a more powerful reduction in inflammation
• Viscosupplement injections - Supplement the lost lubricating fluid in the joint
• Knee replacement - In cases where no other treatment works, the damaged cartilage is removed and replaced with a plastic or metal prosthesis

Stem Cell Treatment

Stem cells for damaged knees is a non-surgical treatment that can be used in cases where the patient doesn't respond to other conservative treatments. You may be a good candidate if you suffer from knee arthritis and have tried methods like exercise and medication.

During this procedure, stem cells are harvested from your own bone marrow and then injected into the knee. The cells promote healing, helping the knee to repair the damage and reduce inflammation.

If you decide to get stem cells for your knee arthritis, your doctor will still recommend that you continue to make lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, that promote the health of your knee and the other joints in your body. A combination of treatments is usually the best bet for controlling symptoms and reducing degeneration in the long-term.

To schedule a consultation about whether or not stem cells are right for your knee condition, please click below and enter your information or call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at (646) 374-1799.