There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about stem cells and their potential to heal various diseases and conditions. But what is stem cell therapy, exactly? And how could it help people with osteoarthritis? For people dealing with osteoarthritis, regenerative medicine can be extremely promising. It’s not a temporary solution like medications that simply reduce symptoms while leaving the underlying problem alone, and it isn’t as severe as joint replacement surgery. Here’s everything you need to know.
Osteoarthritis: The Basics
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that affects many men and women as they get older. It is caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, stem cell therapy may offer relief for some patients. Research on stem cells for treating osteoarthritis is still in its early stages, but so far it seems promising. For many hopeful patients around the world, it has been extremely successful in reducing joint pain, increased strength, better range of motion and an overall improved quality of life. But, the way it works is a tad different than what most people think. So what does regenerative medicine actually do for those with OA?
Arthritis is the joint inflammation resulting from an autoimmune disease. To understand the part that regenerative medicine plays in the usage towards OA, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the condition itself. With OA, there is a consistent loss of the cartilage that provides a cushion between the bones that make up a joint. This is very common in the shoulders, hips, knees and hands.
OA can have various causes, with the leading being age, injury, or overuse. As time goes on, the joint becomes inflamed, which can lead to aches, pain and even loss of mobility.
How Regenerative Medicine Can Help Arthritis
Does Regenerative Medicine REALLY Work for Osteoarthritis?
Does stem cell therapy work for osteoarthritis? Stem cell therapy for arthritis is an alternative treatment that research has shown suitable results for reducing the damage from arthritis. Stem cells have the ability to replace cells within the body, including those damaged by disease. These undifferentiated cells prompt healing by helping the body’s natural repair kit work more effectively and potentially regenerate new cells. In particular, the research for stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis has been shown to promote the regeneration of cartilage, reduce pain and improve joint function.
As a result, the joint is much stronger and the inflammatory response can be dramatically reduced or even stopped, which is what’s usually causing the joint pain and discomfort. In effect, making someone’s day-to-day much more enjoyable. In many cases, regenerative medicine can enable someone to stop relying on medication or avoid surgery. Dr Charles Perera is one of the nations leading experts in the stem cell field. He prides himself on only offering top of the line services for best, lasting results.