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Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritic Knees
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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I’m trying to decide/gather information about stem cell therapy for grade 4 osteoarthritis in the hip. I would like to hear from people who have had stem cell injections and how effective it was. Why stem cells are usually taken from bone marrow instead of fat which supposedly has many more cells? How long is it expected to last? I would appreciate hearing from all who have any comments–thank you!
I had stem cells put in my knee at Mayo in Rochester. I saw a video of dr Rafael Sierra from Mayo at Rochester so i know he does do them. I asked him about doing it in my hip, i have doctored with Sierra for quite some time and he explained it would not help with my condition but would be worth your time to check out
I also had stem cells on my back, and I am so glad. I dislike surgery and pain pills. So many friends have had surgery and it has not worked. The best thing about stem cells for knee or back is it takes little time and you go home. Back was half hour. Knee is longer as the doctors extract the stem cells from you hip and mix it with your blood. That takes three hours, then ultra sound where the stem cells are injected in the knee. Needed a cane to go home. Next day I returned for one small injection, then home and rest. Winter for me is best time, as I laid around, read,watch tv etc. took me 13 days when I noticed no pain. Nancy lopez, the pro golfer , did it before me , and she said on tv it took her 10 days. She is back playing golf. Me to.
I first found out about stem cells from Mayo Clinic webinar on its impact on arthritis. My only caution is to do your research and be careful who you work with. In my area a chiropractor is doing it and I have heard negative news. I used Regenexx as that is who trained my doctors. They are private. They publish their research and give you ages, sex, of their patients. I have contacted the, and they send me weekly articles.
Downside is insurance covers everything except procedure. It seems insurance would rather pay $60,000 for knee replacement then a $7,000 knee or $1200 back. After my experience with knee replacement I used ira. My kids won’t get that. Good luck, tough decision. Have many friends who have done knees,hip, ankles, arthritis.
Have a friend who had success with hips and stem cells. Local doctor said they are having 50% success rate. Talked with him last night. Said he went skiing. So, seems it’s a roll of the dice.
What was wrong with your back? Anything to do with stenosis? Thx for sharing
I understand that they get 25% cells out of belly fat. Less from bone marrow. Why don’t Drs. just take it from belly?
L4, L5 rubbing on the nerve. They took out blood, spun it in a machine, next day injected it and went home. Amazing
My cells came from the hip. Drilled in three locations. Very little pain.
@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