Affecting millions of people each year, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis among patients. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time, and as we put a lot of pressure on our knee joints it is no wonder why our knees are one of the most common body parts affected. Luckily, when it comes to utilizing stem cell therapy for knees, studies have shown the treatment to be effective for patients.
Knee Osteoarthritis Causes
While many people believe osteoarthritis of the knee is only linked to aging, there are many other causes and factors to consider such as:
- Weight; increased pressure on the joints can lead to accelerated wear-and-tear
- Genetics; such as abnormalities in the shape of the bones around the knee
- Gender; women 55+ are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men
- Previous injuries; whether stress injuries or sports related (specifically long-distance running), repeated injuries over time naturally weaken the joints
- And more
Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Although osteoarthritis symptoms can usually be managed, the damage to joints cannot be reversed. Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Knee pain when walking/exercising/climbing stairs
- Swelling
- Feeling of warmth in the joint
- Stiffness
- Decrease in mobility
- A popping/cracking sound when moving
While lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise may help ease some of the symptoms, when the condition is severe stem cell therapy is a great treatment option.
Osteoarthritis Diagnosis
If any of the above symptoms or causes match the knee pain you’re currently experiencing, Scott Greenberg MD can help properly diagnose and treat your condition.
When it comes to the examination process, Dr. Greenberg’s unique diagnostic approach, known as the Greenberg Method, not only looks into the area of damage and pain, but also evaluates the mechanics and structure of the bone and joints related to the area of the pain. For instance, if you were suffering from what was potentially knee osteoarthritis, Dr. Greenberg would also evaluate your pelvis, gait, and foot stance.
Unlike an isolated evaluation, Dr. Greenberg is able to look at the problems experienced as a whole to make an informed diagnosis and treatment plan.
Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment
Once properly diagnosed, you can receive stem cell therapy treatment to improve knee functionality and reduce any unwanted pain. The stem cell treatments will work to decrease inflammation, reduce pain, and repair damaged cartilage.
There is evidence that stem cell treatments work by triggering damaged tissues in the body to repair themselves, referred to as regenerative therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have also been the focus of an emerging treatment for osteoarthritis and in a recent 6-month study, patients with knee osteoarthritis who received stem cell treatments against those who did not reported satisfactory functional improvement and pain relief.
The noninvasive treatment involves taking a small amount of blood, concentrating the stem cells together, and injecting them back into the knee to promote healing. Learn more about the procedure and other FAQs here.
Interested in solving your knee pain with stem cell therapy? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenberg today and begin your recovery journey tomorrow.
