Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Pain: An Overview
Joint pain is a common condition that affects 24 percent of U.S. adults, or 58.5 million people. Even though joint pain is common, it can still be extremely debilitating. Joint pain and stiffness seem to go hand-in-hand with getting older. Around age 30, people begin to lose bone density and muscle mass, both of which place strain on the joints.
Osteoarthritis, a common type of arthritis, happens when the cartilage wears away. This condition generally develops slowly and usually occurs around middle age. Due to these changes in the body, many people go on to experience joint pain in their knees, shoulders and hips, as well as other parts of the body.
There are many different treatment options for joint pain, including at-home treatments, exercise, weight loss, anti-inflammatory drugs and topical treatments. However, one treatment that is gaining in popularity for joint pain is stem cell therapy.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy involves the use of stem cells to repair damaged tissues and facilitate regeneration in the body. Stem cells are unique cells with the ability to differentiate into various specialized cell types. They can be obtained from different sources, including bone marrow, adipose tissue (fat) and umbilical cord blood.
Researchers are studying stem cells because they can help us understand how certain diseases occur, generate healthy cells to replace diseased cells and test new drugs for safety and effectiveness. This innovative treatment method is typically offered at pain management and regenerative medicine clinics, including Jersey Rehab.
How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Joint Pain?
If you decide to try stem cell therapy for joint pain, it helps to know how the process works. Here are the three main steps:
- Harvesting of stem cells. The first step is to obtain stem cells from the patient’s own body, or in some cases, from a donor source. It’s often preferred to use the patient’s own stem cells to minimize the risk of rejection or adverse reactions.
- Preparation of stem cells. The harvested stem cells are then processed and prepared for injection. This may involve isolating and concentrating the stem cells to enhance their regenerative properties.
- Injection into the joint. The prepared stem cells are injected directly into the affected joint under sterile conditions. This targeted approach allows the stem cells to target damaged tissues and exert their regenerative effects.
What are the Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Pain?
Joint pain can be difficult to live with, and there is no treatment available that will completely eliminate this pain. However, stem cell therapy comes close. Rather than just treating the symptoms of joint pain, it can regenerate and repair damaged tissues, leading to longer term healing.
The benefits to using stem cell therapy for joint pain are:
- Regenerate damaged tissues
- Promote healing in the body
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Minimally invasive outpatient procedure
- Reduced risk for complications
- Short recovery times
- Minimal scarring
- Can be combined with other therapies
Schedule an Appointment for Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy holds great promise as a cutting-edge treatment option for individuals suffering from joint pain. It harnesses the regenerative properties of stem cells to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain and restore damaged tissues.
To learn more about stem cell therapy and if it’s a good treatment option for you, schedule an appointment with Jersey Rehab today. Our pain management doctors will do a thorough check and review your medical history to determine if stem cell therapy is right for you.