What types of knee pain benefit from stem cell therapy?
If you have knee pain, chances are you have other symptoms brought on by the underlying condition causing your pain, such as knee instability, loss of motion, inflammation, tenderness, and difficulty walking.
The team at Stem Cell Institute of Los Angeles offers stem cell therapy to relieve symptoms from many knee conditions, including:
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis commonly affects large joints that support weight and movement such as your knee. The condition develops as repetitive movement wears down the articular cartilage and allows bones to grate against one another when you move.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that typically begins in small joints like your toes and fingers, but it can spread to your knee. As your immune system attacks the synovial tissues lining the joint, the tissues become inflamed and painful.
Patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee)
Patellar tendinitis develops when the patellar tendon becomes inflamed. Though this injury often occurs due to activities that involve jumping and landing, it affects anyone who spends time kneeling.
Ligament injuries
Your knee joint is stabilized by four main ligaments. All of these ligaments are susceptible to injuries, but the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is most likely to suffer a partial or complete tear.
ACL injuries develop when you participate in activities that require rapid moves like pivoting, sidestepping, and changing direction.
Bursitis
Bursa are fluid-filled sacs that cushion pressure points between your bones and soft tissues. Bursitis occurs when one or more bursa become inflamed due to repetitive movement, an injury, frequent kneeling, or an infection.
Iliotibial band syndrome
The iliotibial band is a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the outside of your leg, from the pelvis to your tibia (shinbone). The band stabilizes your knee during strenuous activity such as running. Repeatedly flexing and extending your knee causes inflammation and pain.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (chondromalacia)
Patellofemoral pain syndrome refers to pain in the front of your knee and around the kneecap, and it’s caused by repetitive stress, muscle imbalances, and injuries.
How does stem cell therapy alleviate knee pain?
Stem cells are uniquely designed to self-replicate and produce new cells. Adult stem cells live throughout your body. When you’re injured, they migrate to the damaged area and perform multiple tasks: They regenerate new tissues to repair the injury, regulate inflammation, and release biochemicals such as exosomes and cytokines that stimulate healing.
When you receive stem cell therapy, a concentrated number of stem cells are injected into the injured tissues in your knee. The injected cells relieve your knee pain as they heal the tissues.
Where do the stem cells come from?
The team at Dr. Stem Cell uses mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes because they help regenerate tissues such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. Our Stem Cells are harvested from the Umbilical Cord Wharton's Jelly. We obtain them from an FDA Certified Transplant Laboratory located in Southern California. Our staff has personally toured the facility to ensure the highest quality and standards for our patients.
What should I expect before and during stem cell therapy?
If you have knee pain and you’re interested in stem cell therapy, it starts with an initial consultation at Dr. Stem Cell to determine if you’re a good candidate for stem cell treatment
Dr. Fishman performs a complete exam, including X-rays, and possibly an MRI, CT, or nerve study to evaluate the source of your back pain. If you’re approved for stem cell therapy, -
Two days before your stem cell treatment you will receive our unique IV infusion treatment containing vitamins, peptides and proteins. This will boost your cellular function and enhance your response to Stem Cell treatment. You will then be sent for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment to support your upcoming Stem Cell procedure.
Dr. Fishman then uses fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance to inject the stem cells precisely at the damaged tissues that are causing your knee pain.
In some cases, Dr. Fishman may mix the stem cells with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which supports and accelerates healing. They produce PRP in the office from a sample of your blood.
After your Stem Cell procedure you are immediately sent for a second Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment.
Most patients need only one treatment session, with one injection for each damaged disc or joint, to alleviate their knee pain.
You will follow up with Dr. Fishman 4 weeks after your Stem Cell procedure. At that time, you will have your first FDA approved muscle building emscult treatment if appropriate to your condition.
You need to rest for a few days after your procedure, and you’ll notice that your knee pain improves over the next few months as the stem cells rebuild tissues and rehabilitate your injury. You will have regular follow ups with your doctor at 3, 6 and 12 months to document your improvement.
If you suffer from chronic knee pain, call Dr. Stem Cell or book an initial consultation online.
