Can Stem Cells Help Treat Osteoarthritis?

Millions of people suffer from knee arthritis. They will experience difficulties like pain, stiffness, which eventually decreases the activity level and quality of life. People often opt for Knee replacement as a solution to this. However, this is only a last resort. If you are searching for an effective remedy for your osteoarthritis, then Stem Cell therapy is the best choice. 

 What is Osteoarthritis?

An osteoarthritis is a group of joint abnormalities involving degradation of joints, including articular cartilage and subchondral bone. This condition is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease.  

The bone in the joints gets exposed and damaged when the bone surface becomes less protected by cartilage. Cartilage is a slippery tissue that covers the bones in a joint. Cartilage allows bones to glide over each other and as well as absorb shocks.  

Damage in the cartilage eventually causes severe pain and decreased movement as a result of regional muscle atrophy, and ligaments may become laxer. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking, and sometimes an effusion.

Can stem cells help treat osteoarthritis?

Stem cells are located throughout the body. They can divide and duplicate by themselves and develop into different types of cells. This character is what makes stem cells unique. A stem cell does not serve the body by itself. However, it can develop into a cell that does, such as a cartilage cell or a bone cell.  

When stem cells are placed in a particular environment, it can transform to accommodate a specific need. The stem cells that are placed near damaged cartilage can develop into cartilage tissue. Besides this healing ability, these stem cells can modulate the immune system to shut off pathological responses while preserving the ability to fight off disease.

Where do the stem cells come from?

Stem cells are often extracted through minimally invasive methods. The most common type of stem cells used for treating arthritis is mesenchymal stem cells. These are collected from the patient’s fat tissue, blood, or bone marrow.  

Bone marrow stem cells have good potential for differentiation. These concentrated cells have numerous growth factors that aid in the cartilage formation process. Cell numbers in bone marrow will reduce as we age and are often ineffective in older patients.

Stem cells extracted from the fat tissues show an enhanced ability to differentiate into cartilage and are found in dramatically higher numbers than seen in the bone marrow.

How are stem cells used to treat osteoarthritis?

Stem cells can be applied during surgery (such as the surgical repair of a torn knee meniscus) or delivered through injections directly into the arthritic joint. Most stem cell therapy is considered safe because the stem cells are collected from the patient, minimizing the risk of an unwanted reaction. Most often, the common side effects include temporary swelling and pain.

Blog reviewed by: Dr.N.Ragunanthan

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How to Treat your cartilage damage effectively?

Cartilage is a connective, soft tissue found in joints between the bones comprising knee, elbow and ankles. If the joints are not damaged severely, self care can be incorporated to nullify the damage. Common remedies like using a support, giving proper rest, compressing the affected area can be considered.
For severe cartilage damage, surgery is recommended. Surgery is usually performed using Arthroscopy – a type of keyhole surgery where special instruments are inserted into the joint through small cuts (incisions), although sometimes larger incisions need to be made.

Surgical Procedures:

• Lavage and Debridement – Procedure used to remove unnecessary tissues.
• Marrow Stimulation (microfracture) – Damaged cartilage are drilled from which marrow is discharged that helps in cartilage reconstruction.

• Mosaicplasty – Small plugs of healthy cartilage are removed and attached to the affected cartilage.

• Osteotomy – Shine or thigh bone is cut short to alter the alignment.

• Joint Replacement – If the damage is particularly severe, the whole knee is replaced using an artificial knee.

• Allograft Osteochondral Transplantation (AOT) –Similar to mosaicplasty, but the replacement cartilage is obtained from a recently deceased donor, and it is used to repair larger damaged areas

• Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) – A sample of cartilage is taken and new cells are developed in the laboratory, which is then used to replace the damaged cartilage.

• Artificial Scaffolds – A special patch or gel is used to repair the damaged cartilage; it may be used in combination with marrow stimulation or on its own.

Consult the surgeon for the suitable surgery procedure, the possible risks and time involved in recovery. In usual cases, for few months strenuous activities will not be advised.

Physiotherapy 

Physiotherapy is helpful for difficulty in moving the joint. Post surgery, it is recommended to have a physiotherapy for fast recovery. Physiotherapist advises exercises to strengthen the muscles supporting the joint. It effectively reduces the pain and pressure on the joint.

Rathi Med hospital a well known  Orthopaedic hospital in chenai Hospital islead by Dr.N.Ragunathan who is one of the best orthopaedic surgeon in chennai provides best cartilage damage Treatment in chennai

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