Knee pain is one of the worst types of aches one can experience. Experiencing severe knee pain does not allow you to do day-to-day activities with ease.
Millions of people in the USA suffer from knee osteoarthritis – meaning severe pain in the joints. Many of them try to manage their issues through weight loss, lifestyle modifications, and medical treatments. However, if you have not benefited from any of them, then stem cell therapy is the next option you should consider.
Recently, stem cell therapy has shown promising results in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
So, how does stem cell therapy work, and what you need to know about it? Keep reading.
Table of Contents
Know About Stem Cell Treatment
In the human body, stem cells are constantly manufactured in the bone marrow. These cells are directed to the different body parts as per the signs given by the body.
A stem cell is an immature cell, which has not developed into any particular cell. Our body has different types of stem cells that are used for different purposes.
In stem cell treatment, the cells trigger the damaged tissues to repair themselves, known as “regenerative” therapy.
Currently, stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis is in progress. Limited and mixed results are known on the benefits of stem cell treatment for osteoarthritis.
As the research progresses, on-day stem cell treatment may be one of the most viable options for treating osteoarthritis.
Stem Cell Injection for Knees
Our bones can move evenly against each other with the assistance of the ligament that covers the bone. There is negligible friction.
If you have osteoarthritis, your cartilages and leads are damaged, which increases the friction. This results in inflammation, and pain, which may lead to loss of function and mobility.
According to theoretical studies, the repair is done by the cells by using the body’s healing mechanism.
Aims of stem cell therapy of knees include:
- Decreasing and repairing the damaged cartilage.
- Decreasing pain and inflammation.
- Delay or prevent the need to undergo knee replacement surgery.
If you undergo stem cell treatment, expect these things:
- A small amount of blood will be collected from your body, generally your arm.
- Then, the stem cells will be concentrated together.
- Following that, an injection of the stem cells will be administered into the knee.
Risks and Side Effects of Stem Cell Treatment
The main plus point of this therapy is that it is a non-invasive procedure. In addition, many studies suggest that the treatment has minimal side effects.
Some people might experience a temporary increase in pain and swelling after undergoing the procedure. However, a majority of people experience no side effects after undergoing the procedure.
Our body cells are used in this treatment. Theoretically, this reduces the risk of developing side effects.
If you decide to undergo this treatment, you should learn more about your doctor’s procedure and seek advice before doing so.
Other Treatment Options for Knee Pain
The following are some of the other treatment options recommended by ACR/AF for knee pain:
- Stretching and exercise.
- Maintaining your weight.
- Taking anti-inflammatory medications.
- Administration of steroid injections.
- Undergoing therapies like physical therapy, acupuncture, and yoga.
If you do not benefit from any of the treatments, you should consider undergoing total knee replacement.
Final Word
With each passing day, the number of people having issues with knee pain is increasing. Various factors can cause these issues.
So, the answer to your knee pain could be stem cell therapy. It’s non-invasive and equally effective. If you’re wondering where to get started with this treatment, consider stem cell therapy in Spokane. They have expertise in stem cell treatment and provide expert care & guidance.
Still, have questions regarding these tips? Let us know in the comments!