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.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 26, 2022
In reply to @san72 "I’m sorry, but what is PRP?" + (show)
@san72

I’m sorry, but what is PRP?

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@cobweb & @ellye - PRP is Platelet Rich Plasma - another type of injection sometimes used for knee pain. You can read about it here:
https://sportsmedicine.mayoclinic.org/service/regenerative-medicine/
Sue

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3 replies
ellye | @ellye | Sep 26, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "@cobweb & @ellye - PRP is Platelet Rich Plasma - another type of injection sometimes used..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@cobweb & @ellye - PRP is Platelet Rich Plasma - another type of injection sometimes used for knee pain. You can read about it here:
https://sportsmedicine.mayoclinic.org/service/regenerative-medicine/
Sue

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Is that Stem Cell Therapy, that's Not covered by medicare or insurance? I wonder if the FDA will ever approve that for Everything!

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 26, 2022
In reply to @ellye "Is that Stem Cell Therapy, that's Not covered by medicare or insurance? I wonder if the..." + (show)
@ellye

Is that Stem Cell Therapy, that's Not covered by medicare or insurance? I wonder if the FDA will ever approve that for Everything!

Jump to this post

PRP and stem cell therapy are 2 different treatments, and may be covered. PRP is covered for certain diagnoses by my insurance; stem cell therapy is covered for some other diagnoses, that have been proven via research studies. For example, stem cell therapy is covered for some types of leukemia and blood cancer, but others are still under study. Other uses for PRP and stem cells are under study, and sometimes you can find a clinical study in which to participate. For most issues, they reject requests due to "insufficient evidence" at this point.

It isn't only approval by the FDA that controls what is paid for, but also insurance companies. There is something to be said for these limitations. With limited health care dollars (our own, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance) it is important that the money be spent for the most effective treatments and medicines available.

Another word on the subject - there is wide variance in the qualifications and expertise among those promoting alternative therapies. If you choose to go forward with PRP injections, make sure you are in the hands of a licensed medical professional trained in the diagnosis of your problem, and use and administration of the substance. The people promoting on Facebook and the Internet are often suspect or purely driven by a profit motive.

Sue

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1 reply
ellye | @ellye | Sep 26, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "PRP and stem cell therapy are 2 different treatments, and may be covered. PRP is covered..." + (show)
@sueinmn

PRP and stem cell therapy are 2 different treatments, and may be covered. PRP is covered for certain diagnoses by my insurance; stem cell therapy is covered for some other diagnoses, that have been proven via research studies. For example, stem cell therapy is covered for some types of leukemia and blood cancer, but others are still under study. Other uses for PRP and stem cells are under study, and sometimes you can find a clinical study in which to participate. For most issues, they reject requests due to "insufficient evidence" at this point.

It isn't only approval by the FDA that controls what is paid for, but also insurance companies. There is something to be said for these limitations. With limited health care dollars (our own, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance) it is important that the money be spent for the most effective treatments and medicines available.

Another word on the subject - there is wide variance in the qualifications and expertise among those promoting alternative therapies. If you choose to go forward with PRP injections, make sure you are in the hands of a licensed medical professional trained in the diagnosis of your problem, and use and administration of the substance. The people promoting on Facebook and the Internet are often suspect or purely driven by a profit motive.

Sue

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Thank you for your detailed reply. I'll definitely have to ask my orthopedic surgeon about PRP. I've been getting hyloronic shots in my knee and shoulders, which helps somewhat. I'm trying to avoid anymore surgeries.
Thank u again

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win sturgeon | @cobweb | Sep 27, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "@cobweb & @ellye - PRP is Platelet Rich Plasma - another type of injection sometimes used..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@cobweb & @ellye - PRP is Platelet Rich Plasma - another type of injection sometimes used for knee pain. You can read about it here:
https://sportsmedicine.mayoclinic.org/service/regenerative-medicine/
Sue

Jump to this post

I also used it on L 4 and L 5 in my back. No surgery. Been over 5 years with no pain.

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etartaglione | @etartaglione | Sep 27, 2022

has anyone had stem cells for the back i have a fracture t12 and no strength????

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1 reply
tayidi | @tayidi | Sep 28, 2022
In reply to @winning "I had a knee replacement three years ago on the right knee. It still is swollen,..." + (show)
@winning

I had a knee replacement three years ago on the right knee. It still is swollen, and bottom line it did not work for me. In my discussions with others I would say 3 out of 10 have trouble. I swore I would not do that again. My left knee was bone on bone but I heard of stem cells. Last January I did stem cells on my knee. They use my stem cells. I was referred by a female friend who had both knees done with stem cells. The difference is I have full mobility,very little pain and I can knell on my knee in gardening etc.
next I did my back which had an L 4 L 5 rubbing on my nerve. I had an injection to stimulate the stem cells.4 weeks later, no pain, fullmobility, back playing golf,pain free. The downside is the procedure is out of pocket. I would do it again . I have friends who have had their hip injected. There is no hospital stay, I used no pain pills. I wish it was available before I did the knee replacement.

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Can you please share where you had your stem cell therapy done and by which physician. I want to do the same with more confidence since it's hard to decipher who is legit and who is not. Thank you.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 28, 2022
In reply to @etartaglione "has anyone had stem cells for the back i have a fracture t12 and no strength????" + (show)
@etartaglione

has anyone had stem cells for the back i have a fracture t12 and no strength????

Jump to this post

@etartaglione, I have not heard of using stem cell therapy for the back or spine problems. I did see this article on a Mayo Clinic clinical trial from 2020.

-- Stem cell treatment after spinal cord injury: The next steps
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/neurology-neurosurgery/news/stem-cell-treatment-after-spinal-cord-injury-the-next-steps/mac-20488605

@etartaglione you can stay up to date on Mayo Clinic’s advances in regenerative medicine and nerve regeneration on this website:

Center for Regenerative Medicine https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/center-regenerative-medicine/about

There is also contact information where you can ask about current studies.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Sep 28, 2022
In reply to @tayidi "Can you please share where you had your stem cell therapy done and by which physician...." + (show)
@tayidi

Can you please share where you had your stem cell therapy done and by which physician. I want to do the same with more confidence since it's hard to decipher who is legit and who is not. Thank you.

Jump to this post

Welcome @tayidi, It looks like @winning is no longer following Connect. I think it's always wise to do your own research before jumping into stem cell therapy. Here's an article that does a good job of explaining the topic.

-- Navigating the hope and hype of regenerative medicine:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/orthopedic-surgery/news/navigating-the-hope-and-hype-of-regenerative-medicine/mac-20482553

Is your doctor recommending any treatments or procedures?

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tayidi | @tayidi | Sep 28, 2022

Thank you John.
My primary care sent me to PT and I have been doing all my PT regimen and I have walked on average 6 miles a day, cut the carbs out and lost 10 lbs over 10 weeks. However, I have not seen my physician for follow up yet and my pain deep in the hip joint has increased. I was hoping for an alternative to surgery since I have gastritis and would rather avoid all systemic NSAIDs as well as a long recovery. So I wonder if either Cleveland Clinic or the Mayo Clinic would have experts on stem cell therapy for my condition with successful outcomes?

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