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Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritic Knees
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Jul 5 8:22am | Replies (301)Comment receiving replies
Hello! I just joined this group and I am scheduled for bilateral TKR at the end of Nov 2016…but,
I had an appt with a regenerative medicine doc at a clinic about placental stem cell injections in both knees that is leaving me confused about what to do! I would love to have this done but I’m unsure of the REAL outcome of this procedure compared to Tkr! This Dr says that cartilage will regrow and the knees will heal to some degree, but I cannot find any info in online research that states stem cells can make cartilage regrow! I’m concerned about the high cost of the shots esp if it doesn’t work and it’s not guaranteed! They will repeat the injections 6 mos later if I’m unhappy with the results at no extra cost. I’m also concerned about how long this effect may last and if my arthritis will come back in the knee joints within 5-10 yrs.
I wanted to know if anyone has tried stem cell shots a few years ago that have proven to last over time? Online research implies cartilage cannot easily regrow YET, but probably in the future! Also seems there have been no large studies done with stem cell for knee arthritis. With Tkr it’s a done deal, outcome is assured, new knees that last 15-20 or more years! Albeit with pain, meds, and long recovery, etc!
Replies to "Hello! I just joined this group and I am scheduled for bilateral TKR at the end..."
@jmaa to help with your research regarding stem cells for osteoarthritis, you may be interested in a recent article in the News Network:
- Mayo Clinic News Network http://mayocl.in/2hemqhr
Here is a link for an article on stem cell therapy vs knee replacement. Hope it helps. http://www.caringmedical.com/prolotherapy-news/knee-osteoarthritis-treated-stem-cell-therapy/
I am having my knee and shoulder done in May when I return from a trip. My doctor is a retired orthopedic surgeon who studied this for a few years and decided that he wanted to continue working using stem cells. He takes yours from both bone and fat. He has been doing this for 4+ years with all successes so far. However, he does say it is not for everyone and must evaluate your condition(s) first. He practices in Reno. He only does joints but his partner does backs.
My Dr. said he can get a much larger % of good cells from belly but, much less from bone marrow.
Does he talk about pain involved w bone, I'm just curious -not implying anything.
good 4 u for going w stem cells. I'd like to keep following u.
Mari
The patients who had this done by him already (I talked to 2) said little pain involved. I will let you know when I have mine done in late May.
had my back done and blood was taken, spun, and injected, which stimulated the stem cells. worked. Knee was done with cells taken from hip and mixed with blood. Very little pain. Would do it again. I had no cartilage. Took 10 days for pain to go away.
Please tell us more? What Dr.? Where? How much $? Still good?
If we were really bone on bone our leg would b stiff straight. I was given a brace by Dr. - it pushes my knee out to Open "bone on bone". Waiting for stem cells from my belly. More cells from there then from bone.
A good site to look at is Regenexx that is a private company i Colorado that had Doctors all over the USA. My two Doctors use their procedure and i have had luck with the back and the knee with stem cells. I had TKR and did not do well with it. What i like about stem cells is i had no pain with the procedure, was active after 2 weeks, and can garden with it by getting on that knee. Insurance covered everything but the procedure. No question, it is expensive and i have noticed fees are all over the place.
I watched a webinar by the mayo clinic on stem cells for arthritis and it seems to work for that. I have many friends who have had stem cells on the knee and no one has had problems yet. How long does it last? No answer. I am on my 2nd year. I know Nancy Lopez, the professional golfer had her knee done when i did and she returned to playing golf .
So , its your call. I have heard if you have 2 knees to do the cost is lower. Quality of life is important. I love to garden and play golf. My tkr knee hurts after golf. I hope it lasts. Good luck with your decision.
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My cells came from the hip. Drilled in three locations. Very little pain.