1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritic Knees

Posted by tropicallady1276 @tropicallady1276, May 10, 2017

I am a 77 year old woman with arthritic knees where it's difficult for me to walk and I'm trying to avoid knee replacement. I have done the Synvisc injections and physical therapy-- to no avail. Is there anyone here who has had stem cell therapy for arthritic knees and I would like to know your outcome. I know there are two, one where bone marrow is removed and the other where they take fat from the abdomen and regenerate and inject into the knees. I would like to know the cost and how long the procedure takes and any other information which would be helpful to me. I live in North Jersey and am currently looking for clinics in my area who perform this procedure. I appreciate your help.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

tebrown67 | @tebrown67 | Jun 6, 2018

I am interested in speaking with someone at Mayo regarding stem cell therapy for my knees. Wh should I contact?

REPLY
3 replies
winning | @winning | Jun 6, 2018

I had stem cells on left knee after TKR proved to be painful and 4 years later I have a swollen painful knee. Opted to go with stem cells on left knee 3 years ago and so far I am active, can garden on left knee, golf, bike but no more tennis. A word to the wise do your homework on who you go with . I went with a doctor trained by regenexx. You can look them up as they are located nationwide.
I do use a stem cell knee brace when I am very active. Downside is the price. Insurance covered everything but the stem cell procedure. That is the mri etc. my cost was $7000. I know the hospital where it was done is now offering the procedure to their employees at low cost. I spent 10 days at home watching tv, reading etc.no hospital stay, no pain pills etc. pain free in 10 days. The stem cells were taken from the hip, mixed with my blood. Run away from doctors who buy stem cells. Use your own. As I said, do your home work. Good luck.

REPLY
pat3316 | @pat3316 | Jun 7, 2018

Thank you for this information. I am considering Stem Cell procedure just concerned that it is quite a lot of money if it fails. The more I hear it’s positive effects the better I feel about going for it. Thank you for sharing.

REPLY
GailBL, Alumni Mentor | @gailb | Jun 7, 2018
In reply to @tebrown67 "I am interested in speaking with someone at Mayo regarding stem cell therapy for my knees...." + (show)
@tebrown67

I am interested in speaking with someone at Mayo regarding stem cell therapy for my knees. Wh should I contact?

Jump to this post

@tebrown67

Welcome to Mayo Connect. I'm a Volunteer Mentor and not a medical professional so I don't provide diagnosis nor medical recommendations. I share my experience, knowledge and support with members.

If you page up to earlier posts on this thread you will see an extensive post (on page 12) from Justin McClanahan concerning how to contact the Mayo Regenerative Medicine group with their phone number. Good luck in your search for information about stem cells.

Gail
Volunteer Mentor

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Jun 7, 2018
In reply to @tebrown67 "I am interested in speaking with someone at Mayo regarding stem cell therapy for my knees...." + (show)
@tebrown67

I am interested in speaking with someone at Mayo regarding stem cell therapy for my knees. Wh should I contact?

Jump to this post

Thank you Gail.

@tebrown67, I would like to add my welcome to Gail's. As she mentioned, just above your post on Page 12, there is an extensive post with information about stem cell treatments at Mayo Clinic as well as a contact number for more information. If you are replying by email, click VIEW & REPLY and you will be brought to this message on the website and you will then be able to scroll up to see the information.

@tebrown67, if you are comfortable sharing, are you facing a treatment decision about your knees?

REPLY
tebrown67 | @tebrown67 | Jun 7, 2018
In reply to @tebrown67 "I am interested in speaking with someone at Mayo regarding stem cell therapy for my knees...." + (show)
@tebrown67

I am interested in speaking with someone at Mayo regarding stem cell therapy for my knees. Wh should I contact?

Jump to this post

Yes, I need to make a decision. I will call in the next couple of days. Thank you for your help!

REPLY
gosabi0212 | @gosabi0212 | Aug 14, 2018
In reply to @talan "Most traditional orthopedists would not recommend stem cell at this point as it is not FDA..." + (show)
@talan

Most traditional orthopedists would not recommend stem cell at this point as it is not FDA approved and insurance will not cover it. However, my stem cell doc is a retired orthopedic surgeon with a wonderful reputation. For years he had felt there should be a better way than invasive surgeries to correct joint problems. He retired, studied for 4 years, then came back to part time practice just doing stem cell therapy on joints. I am almost 6 weeks out from mine. No joint pain at all, just some soreness and stiffness where my knee is still swollen---but not as swollen as it was before the procedure. I have had two PRP's (one prior to the procedure and one just a week after) and will have another in a few more weeks. The PRP's help the stem cells to heal the joint. My stem cells were taken from both bone marrow and from fat cells in my buttocks. I am delighted with the results so far. I would not go to one of the "advertising clinics" that do stem cells. I would not want a chiropractor or non orthopedist to do my procedure. Mine was also done in a sterile room which could be important. A lot to think about, for sure, but do careful and lengthy research before you commit.

Jump to this post

Hi there. I’ve had issues with my neck and shoulder which are related. I’m getting an MRI to see if I have bulging disk in C4 and C5. My bicep and anterior deltoid was atrophied some 6 months ago. I began using a tractable device my friend(who’s a neurosurgeon) recommended. Worked good and neck felt better. Furthermore, my bicep came back fully innervated. However, my ant deltoid is still atrophied. There’s tightness and pain in the shoulder as the muscle is flat and the joint is tender. My pain doctor said if it’s in my neck, I should do stem cell therapy. If it’s in my shoulder then do PRP. He charges $10k for stem cell which is really high. Therefore I was thinking of going to Mexico in the event that I need it. But I saw your post about it being $4700. That also included PRP. Your post gave me confidence that it works and affordable. Any advice or info you can give me other than what was posted would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

REPLY
mari | @mari | Aug 14, 2018
In reply to @talan "Most traditional orthopedists would not recommend stem cell at this point as it is not FDA..." + (show)
@talan

Most traditional orthopedists would not recommend stem cell at this point as it is not FDA approved and insurance will not cover it. However, my stem cell doc is a retired orthopedic surgeon with a wonderful reputation. For years he had felt there should be a better way than invasive surgeries to correct joint problems. He retired, studied for 4 years, then came back to part time practice just doing stem cell therapy on joints. I am almost 6 weeks out from mine. No joint pain at all, just some soreness and stiffness where my knee is still swollen---but not as swollen as it was before the procedure. I have had two PRP's (one prior to the procedure and one just a week after) and will have another in a few more weeks. The PRP's help the stem cells to heal the joint. My stem cells were taken from both bone marrow and from fat cells in my buttocks. I am delighted with the results so far. I would not go to one of the "advertising clinics" that do stem cells. I would not want a chiropractor or non orthopedist to do my procedure. Mine was also done in a sterile room which could be important. A lot to think about, for sure, but do careful and lengthy research before you commit.

Jump to this post

$10,000. is the highest $$$$ I ever heard.
Remember after they take fat out and Spin then you can ask for as many injections as you want. Even though SC did not help my Bone on bone knee, I still felt more vital, rejuvenated, better balance and I was not so fragile anymore.

REPLY
marystefy | @marinelastef | Aug 14, 2018
In reply to @winning "I got into stem cells from watching a webinar from the Mayo Clinic on the cure..." + (show)
@winning

I got into stem cells from watching a webinar from the Mayo Clinic on the cure for arthritis. I would think it would work on your knees. Cost is a concern for many. Doing research on what doctors to use is important. Cost for me was $7,000, but I have heard some charge more and less. Good luck.

Jump to this post

@winning Which facilitiy did you go to for stem cells ? Thank you !

REPLY
gosabi0212 | @gosabi0212 | Aug 14, 2018
In reply to @talan "Most traditional orthopedists would not recommend stem cell at this point as it is not FDA..." + (show)
@talan

Most traditional orthopedists would not recommend stem cell at this point as it is not FDA approved and insurance will not cover it. However, my stem cell doc is a retired orthopedic surgeon with a wonderful reputation. For years he had felt there should be a better way than invasive surgeries to correct joint problems. He retired, studied for 4 years, then came back to part time practice just doing stem cell therapy on joints. I am almost 6 weeks out from mine. No joint pain at all, just some soreness and stiffness where my knee is still swollen---but not as swollen as it was before the procedure. I have had two PRP's (one prior to the procedure and one just a week after) and will have another in a few more weeks. The PRP's help the stem cells to heal the joint. My stem cells were taken from both bone marrow and from fat cells in my buttocks. I am delighted with the results so far. I would not go to one of the "advertising clinics" that do stem cells. I would not want a chiropractor or non orthopedist to do my procedure. Mine was also done in a sterile room which could be important. A lot to think about, for sure, but do careful and lengthy research before you commit.

Jump to this post

As many injections? Does this mean in different areas on the same visit? Thx

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.