Treating Knee Osteoarthritis with Stem Cells: Rejuvenating at the Right Spot to Avoid Surgery
Stem cell injections for knee osteoarthritis: repair knee joints back to its normal condition
For anyone experiencing abnormal symptoms of knee-popping, knee pain or difficulty straightening out the legs, did you know that you should start looking for treatment options beforehand as the body starts showing signs of early stage symptoms? If these symptoms are overlooked until it becomes more severe, the treatment for it often becomes more complicated. Therefore, for anyone experiencing early signs of knee osteoarthritis, suffering from knee joint pain, or hearing unusual knee-popping noises, we are introducing you to an alternative to preventing and rehabilitating knee osteoarthritis symptoms with stem cell injections. What are stem cell injections like and is it suitable for you? Let’s find out here.
What are the causes of knee osteoarthritis?
Knee osteoarthritis is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage tissue covering the bone ends of the joints that serve the purpose of making joint movements easier without friction. The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis are often found in those of older age, as well as those with a habit of overusing their knee joints for an extended period of time such as through lifting heavy objects, frequently wearing high heels or regularly walking up and down steep stairs, where in which these behaviors are considered to be a catalyst for knee osteoarthritis. In addition to the degeneration of the cartilage tissue, knee osteoarthritis may also cause muscles and nerves in that area to deteriorate as well to the point where it is unable to function normally.
When the cartilage tissue deteriorates, the joint bones are exposed to friction or contact with one another during movements such as walking up the stairs or sitting with your legs crossed. Thus, causing the joint bone to wear out as we age, or if left untreated until symptoms become severe to the point of knee deformity, affecting our ability to carry out daily activities.
4 Early Signs of Knee Osteoarthritis
If you are still unsure about the signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, let’s take a look at the noticeable symptoms you can keep an eye out for yourself.
- Friction between the joints or knee-popping during movement
- Pain in knee joints every time there is movement such as walking up the stairs or standing up
- Inability to fully bend or straighten the knee, or knee stiffness after not moving for a long time
- Atrophy of the thigh muscles, knee deformities or loose knee joints
Past Guidelines for Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Currently, there are several medical treatments for knee osteoarthritis :
● Symptomatic treatment
Examples include taking painkillers, undergoing physical therapy and prolotherapy. These methods of treatment need to be repeated several times to relieve the symptoms rather than completely curing it as it is a form of symptomatic treatment.
● Knee replacement surgery
The treatment for osteoarthritis in the past has been knee replacement surgery, often used for those with severe cases of osteoarthritis with no substitute form of treatment. Therefore, worn knee joints must be replaced with artificial knee joints through knee replacement surgery every 15-20 years, or sooner if the artificial knee becomes loose or problematic depending on each person.
How good are stem cell injections for rehabilitating knee osteoarthritis?
Many may not be aware that there are alternatives to rehabilitating knee osteoarthritis. Stem cells can be directly injected into the knee joints to treat this condition, where the cartilage tissue within the knee joint will gradually regenerate and create new cells. It is an innovation developed from stem cells that is able to treat osteoarthritis symptoms without the need to undergo surgery. However, it is recommended that symptoms should be at its early stages, or ranging from stages 1-3.
The method of rehabilitation and treatment using stem cells can also regenerate, repair, and replace existing deteriorated cells. If the tissue within the knee joint has degenerated considerably, additional stem cell injections may be required to thicken the joints, lower degeneration and restore joint tissues at the most exact area.
Research on stem cell injections for treating osteoarthritis in Thailand
Advancements in education and research on stem cell injections for treating osteoarthritis have provided the following information :
1. Information from research conducted by orthopedic surgery specialists from the Department of Orthopedics at Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine found that:
- Stem cells are useful for bone fusion where it is able to encourage bones to attach faster
- In osteoarthritis, stem cells can help build cartilage and may also help reduce inflammation
2. Research data from the Faculty of Medicine at Srinakharinwirot University shows evidence of using stem cells to treat osteoarthritis, where it was found that :
- Stem cell injection for the treatment of osteoarthritis yields better results than solely relying on cartilage cells
Although symptoms of osteoarthritis are not life-threatening, leaving it until it becomes severe can also become an obstacle for living. Therefore, prevention, rehabilitation and treatment of knee osteoarthritis using stem cell injection is another considerable option that could treat knee pain and avoid the requirement for knee surgery. At R3 Life Wellness Center, we have a team of specialist doctors to provide advice on the use of stem cells for the body. Access our services at any time during our business hours.
For more information or to make an appointment, please visit R3 Life Wellness Center, 42 ICP Building (4th Floor), Surawong Road, Si Phraya, Bang Rak, Bangkok.
