Orthopedic Knee Doctor
Knee pain can be a huge hindrance in any person’s life, as we need our knees in able to go about our routines and participate in hobbies. As an orthopedic knee doctor from a practice like the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can explain, knee pain can originate from an injury accident, or due to slow wear overtime.
A conventional doctor may prescribe a slew of medications for a patient complaining about knee troubles. Those who want to avoid taking dizzying and groggy-inducing substances such as painkillers and muscle relaxers, may look into all other options first. A patient may hear about stem cell therapy and be intrigued, as it is relatively new approach to healing. Research is continually moving forward so we can find out more about how these cells can make a difference in a person’s life.
What makes stem cell therapy so appealing?
A patient may think the only way to heal their chronic knee pain is through invasive surgery. Many conventional doctors can be too quick to jump to surgery as the solution. Of course, in some very extreme cases knee surgery may be the best option. However, evidence has shown that people who suffer from chronic knee pain can see a reduction in discomfort through stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy treatments can decrease inflammation and halt the progression of further damage, while encouraging the body to heal worn-out knee cartilage.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a common contributor to knee pain, where the cartilage within the knee joint gradually weakens. This can make it more difficult for someone to walk, stand up and carry items that are heavy enough to put added strain on the knees. Previous injuries can be a factor in why osteoarthritis develops in some people, and not others. Stem cell therapy may be able to help those who have lingering pain from knee fractures, damaged tendons or ligament tears.
Where will a doctor get the stem cells from?
Stem cells that are used during treatments are usually taken from the patient’s own body. There are certain areas that are known for having an abundance of stem cells, including fat stores, blood and bone marrow. A doctor may recommend extracting stem cells from one part of your body over another, based on a several factors. The only way to find out where the stem cells will be extracted, is by consulting with a stem cell doctor who is experienced in performing such treatments.
Are stem cell treatments painful?
Many patients compare what a stem cell treatment feels like, to that of receiving a standard vaccine in a doctor’s office. The procedure of extraction and injection into the knee area may take only a few hours. The longer wait is seeing when the stem cells will actually engraft to the area. It may take a few weeks for the transplanted stem cells to adhere to the site, begin multiplying healthy cells, and then taking the place of damages cells. How long it takes for the patient to see a reduction in pain, swelling and discomfort varies based on the individual person and medical history.
