If you’re struggling with swollen, painful, or stiff joints, you might be suffering from osteoarthritis. This condition can make it difficult for you to perform simple tasks, like gripping objects, driving, walking, and climbing stairs.
While there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, several procedures are available to help alleviate pain and swelling in the affected joints. Of those treatments, stem cell therapy offers an innovative approach with successful results. Osteoarthritis stem cell therapy uses regenerative medicine to help heal your body at the cellular level.
Follow along to learn more about osteoarthritis and how stem cells for pain management may help alleviate your symptoms.
Understanding Osteoarthritis and Its Challenges
Osteoarthritis is a painful and potentially debilitating joint condition that can significantly impact your daily life. A recent study found that roughly 15% of people over the age of 30 are struggling with osteoarthritis, and projections suggest a whopping one billion people could suffer from it by the year 2050.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It’s a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the protective layer of cartilage around your joints wears down. As the cartilage degrades, it can change the bone shape and cause inflammation, resulting in a wide range of symptoms, from stiffness to soreness.
Most commonly, osteoarthritis can affect the joints in your hips, knees, hands, neck, and lower back. It’s often associated with older age or obesity, but joint injuries can cause the onset of osteoarthritis, too.
Common Symptoms and Effects on Daily Life
If you have osteoarthritis, you will likely find that the symptoms worsen over time.
The following are some common symptoms of the disease:
- Achy joints
- Joint stiffness
- Limited joint range and/or mobility
- Clicking or snapping sounds when you bend your joints
- Swelling around the joint
- Muscle weakness around the joint
Because osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness, you may find that you’re more likely to lose your balance or face stability issues. In fact, studies have shown that those with two infected joints are 74% more likely to fall than those without pain. Therefore, this disease may increase your susceptibility to falls and injuries.
Overview of Stem Cell Therapy
While osteoarthritis can be a painful condition, the good news is that stem cell therapy shows promising results for this joint disease. Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that can help your body recover at the cellular level. Research suggests that osteoarthritis stem cell therapy may provide pain relief and support joint function and mobility.
Let’s take a closer look at stem cell therapy and its application to osteoarthritis treatments.
How Stem Cell Therapy Works
Stem cell osteoarthritis treatments harness the power of stem cells for pain management.
So, how does it work?
This innovative treatment uses stem cells to repair or replace damaged tissue, reducing inflammation and stimulating your body’s natural healing process. Stem cells are important because they can self-renew and differentiate, meaning they can transform into different types of cells to oversee specific functions.
During stem cell therapy, a medical professional will either collect and prepare self-derived (autologous) or donor (allogeneic) stem cells, and then introduce them into your body. The stem cells then travel to the problem area, repairing and rebuilding damaged tissue or replacing lost cells. This helps restore normal function, allowing the body to initiate its natural healing process.
This advanced treatment has a wide range of uses. In addition to supporting joint health, the therapy can also help address neurological disorders, metabolic and autoimmune diseases, injuries, and even anti-aging initiatives.
Types of Stem Cells Used in Treatments
Stem cell therapy uses two types of stem cells: autologous and allogeneic.
Autologous stem cells refer to those collected from your own body. These self-derived cells generally come from your bone marrow, peripheral blood, or fatty tissue. On the other hand, allogeneic stem cells are collected from a donor. Typically, allogenic stem cells are retrieved from a donor’s placenta, bone marrow, or umbilical cord blood.
Meanwhile, there is a slightly higher chance of your body rejecting foreign stem cells from a donor if they’re not a good match. However, if the stem cells are young and viable, they may offer a higher regenerative capacity than your own cells.
Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis
While stem cell therapy has numerous applications, stem cell osteoarthritis treatments, in particular, hold significant potential. Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis aims to address the root cause, rather than simply masking the symptoms, like we see with traditional medicine and treatments.
Understanding Stem Cell Osteoarthritis Treatment
During osteoarthritis stem cell therapy, a licensed, board-certified medical professional administers stem cells into the infected joint. The stem cells then access the damaged tissue and perform the necessary functions to facilitate cartilage regeneration. The stem cells also have anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce inflammation and swelling, thereby relieving pain and supporting movement.
Additional Applications in Pain Management
Osteoarthritis isn’t the only condition responsible for joint problems. In fact, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, from rheumatoid arthritis to ankylosing spondylitis. You can develop arthritis in various areas of your body, including your thumb, ankles, wrists, and shoulders.
Of course, overuse and injuries like sprains, fractures, and dislocations can also contribute to joint pain and mobility issues. For instance, an old sports injury or recent fall could cause uncomfortable flare-ups, requiring pain management.
Fortunately, there are many applications of stem cell therapy for pain relief, as it can help address many of these joint-related issues. For example, recent studies have found that stem cell therapy has shown positive results in the management of osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal, and neuropathic pain.
Selecting a Reputable Stem Cell Pain Treatment Provider
In the U.S., stem cell osteoarthritis treatments are still considered experimental and not yet FDA-approved. However, these treatments are legally available across the border in Mexico.
Now, as with any medical treatment, there are risks associated with stem cell therapy, so it’s essential to select a reputable service provider with the appropriate credentials and qualifications.
When researching clinics that offer stem cell joint pain treatments:
- Look for a clinic with COFEPRIS certification (the Mexican equivalent of the FDA).
- Choose one that follows medical and ethical guidelines.
- Ensure the clinic adheres to strict safety, sterility, and medical standards.
- Select a clinic with licensed, board-certified physicians with advanced medical credentials and extensive experience with regenerative medicine.
- Ask about the quality and purity of their stem cells, inquiring about cell counts, ethical sourcing, and potency.
- Make sure the program has U.S. offices with real addresses, not just U.S. PO boxes.
Preparing for Treatment and What to Expect
Here at TreVita, we offer medical tourism packages that connect you with reputable clinics in Mexico that offer stem cell osteoarthritis treatment.
When you schedule a consultation with us, we’ll assign you a designated Client Consultant, who will explain the entire process and address all your questions and concerns. We’ll review your condition and health goals, discuss financing options, arrange doctor consultations, and schedule your session and travel accommodations. Then, during your doctor consultations, a board-certified physician will assess your needs and develop a customized treatment plan.
Once we’ve scheduled and arranged your treatment, our staff will support you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.
Conclusion
The future of stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis is bright. Stem cell research continues to evolve as we discover new possibilities for this innovative medicine.
If you’re ready to explore this cutting-edge treatment to address your osteoarthritis or joint pain, schedule your free consultation with TreVita today.
FAQs
Does stem cell therapy work on osteoarthritis?
Yes, studies have shown that stem cell treatments can alleviate pain associated with conditions like osteoarthritis. While more research is needed to fully understand regenerative medicine and osteoarthritis, current findings are promising.
What is the best therapy for osteoarthritis?
The best therapy for osteoarthritis will depend on your specific condition, health goals, and preferences. Some common therapies include cortisone injections, bone realignment procedures, joint replacement surgeries, and stem cell treatments. Although stem cell therapy is still an experimental treatment, it’s offering encouraging solutions for this joint disease.
What are the side effects of stem cell therapy?
Pain and swelling at the injection site are common side effects of stem cell therapy. You may also notice mild bruising and joint stiffness. Other, rarer side effects include allergic reactions and infections. If you’re concerned about your side effects, consult your physician for guidance.
Is there a downside to stem cell therapy?
Stem cell therapy is still considered an experimental treatment in the U.S. Also, it can be an expensive treatment, depending on where you receive it. That said, research shows encouraging results, and TreVita offers financing options to help make this therapy more affordable at reputable clinics in Mexico.