What Does Stem Cell Treatment for Arthritis Cost

Stem cell treatments are one of the newest and most promising treatments for arthritis. Arthritis can be treated using adult stem cells from your own body, and many patients have experienced significant pain relief from this type of treatment. Below, we'll explore what to expect in terms of cost if you decide to get stem cell treatment.

Using Stem Cells for Arthritis

Stem cells are cells that are undifferentiated, meaning that they have the potential to become more specialized cells later on. Although they are most common in embryos, adults also have stem cells, especially in the bone marrow. Stem cells can be harvested from your own body, and then injected into an arthritis joint to relieve symptoms.

During stem cell treatment, your doctor will insert a long needle into the hip, where there is a rich supply of bone marrow. The bone marrow is then removed from the hip using this procedure, and the harvested marrow is placed in a centrifuge, which separates out the stem cells. Once the stem cells are prepared, they're injected into the joint. Patients normally see a relief in symptoms in 1-2 months.

Cost

Although many patients and doctors have seen good results from this type of treatment, stem cells are still considered an experimental treatment, and hasn't been approved by the FDA for use for arthritis. As a result, most insurance plans don't cover the treatment.

Since your insurance plan will not cover stem cell treatment, you'll be covering the cost out of pocket. The exact cost will depend on how many joints are treated and how many injections are needed. You may want to start out by having just one joint treated, so see how you respond to the treatment. Most people can expect to pay several thousand dollars for the treatment.

Because the initial expenditure is rather large, many patients use financing to manage the cost of their stem cell treatment. Your doctor may be able to direct you to financing resources, or you can contact financial institutions on your own.

To schedule a consultation about whether or not stem cell treatment is right for your arthritis, please click below and enter your information or call the Datta Endoscopic Back Surgery and Pain Center at