Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Pain
Stem Cell Theraphy for Joint Pain
As long as we have the ability to move freely, without the limiting bounds of pain, or the fear of it, we can’t imagine what it’s like to have the simplest daily tasks to be overbearing. For some, however, taking painkillers for excruciating back pain, a swollen knee, or an impaired hip is just a part of the every-day.
According to studies, one in every four people suffer from a type of join-related illness. In most cases doctors cannot heal the soft tissue damage, nor alleviate the pain. Thus, such patients had to face the fact that they must subsist with these complaints for the rest of their lives.
Traditional Theraphy for Joint Pain
Joint pain is most quickly alleviated by the use of painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. These provide temporary relief to patients but do not address the underlying problem, leading to the return of pain with renewed vigor. At this point, doctors may resort to steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, which unfortunately worsen the symptoms over the long term and accelerate the degeneration of joint cartilage. Gel-based injections, like hyaluronic acid, also reduce the inflammatory environment within the joint capsule, but their effects last a maximum of 6 months in most people. Over time, as the joint wears down more, hyaluronic acid also loses its effectiveness. Moreover, gel-based injections do not influence the cellular healing processes. In fact, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) concentrate is much more effective and its effects last longer than those of gel-based injections. If the painful symptoms can no longer be alleviated, the worn-out joint is replaced with a prosthesis. Like any surgery, prosthesis implantation has certain risks and the recovery time is long. It is important that the patient is aware of this. A few days in the hospital are required, followed by a 1-3 month period post-surgery during which the leg cannot be stressed. The patient will have limited mobility, cannot drive, and can only walk with crutches. Full recovery can take 6-12 months. For those who lead an active life, it is likely that they will have to give up intensive movements, such as yoga or strenuous sports.
The Secret Cure for Joint Diseases
We have good news! Surgery is not the only solution. Thanks to the technical advancements in healthcare, damaged joints can be healed with stem cell therapy. Abroad, stem cells have been used for a long time for joint regeneration. Many have improved their quality of life and have been able to avoid surgical interventions with the help of stem cell therapy. We are proud to say that in 2015 we were the first to introduce this innovative treatment method in Hungary. This minimally invasive treatment uses the body’s own stem cells to harness the body’s natural healing processes.
The Results of Stem Cell Therapy
- Rebuilds damaged cartilage, ligaments, and bones.
- Reduces joint inflammation.
- Reduces or eliminates pain.
- Promotes the production of joint fluid.
- Reduces friction.
- Slows down cartilage wear by the production of cytokinin proteins.
What Are Stem Cells?
From birth, our bodies are filled with stem cells. As we grow and develop, stem cells evolve into skin cells, cartilage cells, bone cells, etc. After our growth is complete, our bodies continue to produce adult stem cells to maintain and repair our organism. Adult stem cells are the construction workers of the regenerative mechanisms. Just as a cut on the skin heals quickly, tissue inside the body regenerates as well. Stem cells replace damaged, dying cells and tissues. However, stem cells don’t just build; they are also capable of influencing the immune system. They neutralize inflammation and accelerate the healing processes. The speed and efficiency of these processes vary. Some tissues recover quickly, while others need assistance. For example, skin and hair grow rapidly, while cartilage cells are slow to renew because the blood supply within the joint capsule is severely limited, and stem cells are present in very small quantities. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage wears down faster than it can be replenished by stem cells; therefore, by injecting stem cells into the joint, we stimulate the body’s own repair mechanisms and regenerate the cartilage.
What Is the Procedure Like?
The secret recipe for joint restoration is hidden in the adipose tissue. According to the latest research, adult stem cells can be extracted from adipose tissue in much higher concentrations than from bone marrow, making it the best source for cartilage tissue reconstruction. Additionally, stem cells are present in smaller quantities in the blood, skin, muscles, and organs. However, the number of mesenchymal stem cells found in the so-called adipose (fat) tissue is many times greater than that in the bone marrow. Bone marrow ages faster than adipose tissue, so a sufficient quantity and quality of stem cells can be extracted from the adipose tissue of older patients for a successful treatment. Under local anesthesia, we carefully aspirate the patient’s fat through a thin cannula from the abdominal area. There is no need for general anesthesia. This minimally invasive procedure takes about 20-40 minutes. During this time, the patient may feel a slight prickling or pulling sensation, similar to dental treatment. Most patients find this discomfort bearable. Those who do not want to feel anything can request sedation. The extracted tissue is collected into sterile syringes and processed. Using a modern centrifugation method, we mechanically separate the cells into a smaller volume suitable for injection. Meanwhile, we draw 60-120 cm3 of blood from the patient’s vein and extract the platelet-rich plasma and growth factors, also known as PRP concentrate. The processing of the extracted fat tissue and the PRP procedure takes 2 hours. During this time, the patient rests in their room. We then inject the stem cell and PRP concentrate into the problematic joints using local anesthesia. For hip joints, we use ultrasound imaging to ensure accurate placement within the joint. The entire stem cell therapy takes a total of 3 hours.
Aftercare
Patients leave the clinic on their own feet and usually return to their daily routines within a few days. The treated joint may remain swollen for a few days, during which icing is recommended. The site of fat removal will be sensitive for 2-4 weeks, and fluid accumulation may occur in the first 12 hours, with a light pinkish fluid potentially leaking from the incision. Wearing a compression garment is definitely recommended. One week after the procedure, we encourage patients to engage in light movements. They should avoid exhausting exercises or any movements that could cause shaking for one month. After 4-6 weeks, they can fully return to their normal activities, including sports, but strenuous extreme sports are prohibited for one year. According to our experience, joint pain significantly decreases between 2 and 12 weeks, and within 6-12 months, the condition of most patients improves, which can be noticed in the reduction of inflammation processes and the enhancement of mobility and function. With our special treatment, most of our patients have been able to avoid the implantation of a prosthesis.
Advantages of Stem Cell Therapy
- The patient feels relief within 2 weeks.
- It rebuilds the body's own healthy tissue.
- Pain significantly decreases or disappears entirely.
- There is no risk of rejection, as the body's own cells are used.
- Mobility improves.
- Flexibility improves.
- Minimally invasive.
- Avoids surgery.
- No general anesthesia is required.
- No post-treatment is necessary.
- There is no need to take medication.
- Rapid recovery.
What is the Success Rate of the Treatment?
Since 2016, the MirAge Clinic has specialized in cartilage reconstruction. Our success rate is about 95%. The proportion of patients who do not respond at all is very low, at 5%. We pride ourselves on our honest information, so you should consider that there is a 5% chance that your body will not respond to the treatment. It can be generally said about our patients that their pain has significantly decreased, their joint mobility has substantially improved, and as a result, their quality of life has increased. Based on our in-house surveys, taking all symptoms into account, we have observed an average improvement of 75%. It is important to keep in mind that no two people are the same, and therefore the results vary among patients.When we looked into the published results of regenerative therapy and compared our results with the outcomes of systematic research, such as the study published by Dr. Pak in the Biomedical Science Journal in 2017, the results were as follows: one year after the intervention, the overall symptoms improved by 75% in 63% of 1114 patients and 91% of patients experienced a 50% improvement when considering all symptoms. The changes achieved at our clinic are better because we continuously improve the treatment process.
