by admin | May 5, 2020 | Osteoarthritis, Stem Cell Research
Osteoarthritis of the hip is a painful condition that can interfere with leg movement and diminish the quality of life. In some, the symptoms are mild, but in others, osteoarthritis can be severe and can even lead to joint failure. Pain is often intermittent in early stages, but in later stages, the pain can be constant with periods of sharp, intense pain. The hip joint becomes stiff and unstable, making it difficult to move around and greatly increasing the risk of falls.
Unfortunately, there are few effective treatments for osteoarthritis of the hip. Management includes pain control with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy. Steroid injections into the hip are not as effective as they are for knee osteoarthritis, so many doctors hesitate to perform them. Joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin are unlikely to be very effective—clinical trials have not provided evidence that they actually work. The definitive treatment for hip osteoarthritis is hip replacement surgery, which is expensive and associated with a long period of recovery.
The main problem in osteoarthritis is that the joint breaks down over time from wear and tear (i.e. microtraumas). At the same time, the joint has a very limited capacity to heal itself. In other words, once the joint breaks down, it pretty much stays that way. Since life is a series of joint microtraumas, the hip gets progressively worse. Indeed, one in four people will have painful osteoarthritis of the hip by age 85, and hundreds of thousands will have it earlier in life.
Scientists have long wanted to find ways to help the body regenerate the joint substances, particularly joint cartilage. Unfortunately, the joint does not receive good blood supply and no known drug or supplement can actually rebuild joint cartilage. That is the main reason researchers are aggressively testing stem cells as a treatment for hip osteoarthritis.
Mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to become many different types of cells, including chondrocytes (cartilage cells). Mesenchymal stem cells sense the environment they are in and then become the cell consistent with that environment. So, the theory goes, injecting mesenchymal stem cells into the hip joint can prompt them to become hip joint cells (chondrocytes).
Researchers tested this hypothesis in a clinical study. They injected mesenchymal stem cells taken from fat tissue (i.e. adipose) and injected them into the hip joints of people with difficult-to-treat hip osteoarthritis. They compared the patients’ Harris Hip scores (HHS) before and 6 months after treatment. HHS is a reliable way to assess the severity of osteoarthritis symptoms. An HHS score of less than 70 is “poor” and a score of 80 to 90 is “good.” Before stem cell treatment, patients had an average HHS score of 67.2±3.4 and 84.6±6.3 afterward. Scores also improved in other tests including WOMAC and Visual Analogue Scale. In other words, mesenchymal stem cell treatment reduced pain and improved joint function in these patients compared to levels prior to treatment.
The authors of the clinical study state that “preliminary results are positive and promising.” Further research and studies will help to learn more about this regenerative medicine potential.
Reference: Dall’Oca, C. et al. (2019). Mesenchymal Stem Cells injection in hip osteoarthritis: preliminary results. ACTA Biomedica. 2019, 90(Suppl 1): 75-80.
by Stemedix | Apr 27, 2020 | Stem Cell Therapy, Osteoarthritis
Joint issues caused by injury and arthritis can be challenging to treat. While conventional methods like physical therapy, over-the-counter medication, and lifestyle adjustments may help patients find some relief, oftentimes the pain lingers and the condition worsens over time. Patients seeking a lasting solution are sometimes recommended for full joint replacement, but the process is invasive, and as with any procedure, comes with potential risks and complications. Moreover, complete joint replacements aren’t always successful, and when they are, they may not last the duration of a patient’s lifetime. Here we talk about Stem Cell Treatments Vs Joint Surgery.
Understandably, medical experts have long been searching for an alternative for joint surgery. Now, it’s appeared in the form of stem cell treatments.
Why Stem Cell Treatments Instead of Joint Surgery?
The issues described above raise concerns about joint surgery. Surgeon Anthony Miniaci, MD, from the Cleveland Clinic explains that patients in their 50s may ultimately wind up needing multiple replacements for the same joint, so the objective is often to delay surgery when possible. In addition to age, factors such as severity, location on the body, and weight may be assessed to determine whether the operation can be put off.
In lieu of surgery, however, patients still need an effective form of relief. Stem cell therapy is one promising alternative. This treatment uses stem cells, which act as the body’s natural healing mechanism, to restore compromised tissues through powerful repair processes and the formation of new, specialized tissue. The cells can self-renew and transform into virtually any cell type in the body. Treatment is non-invasive and simply encompasses injections instead of full-blown surgery.
Experts are using stem cell therapy in joints commonly affected by injury or arthritis, including the hips and knees. Some doctors, including a specialist at the Mayo Clinic, believes the treatment doesn’t just delay the need for surgery in some cases but may prevent it altogether. As stem cell therapy has widely been deemed safe and effective in numerous clinical studies, it offers a viable option for patients who want the relief that surgery could bring without the pain, long recovery period, and potential complications.
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by Stemedix | Mar 30, 2020 | Stem Cell Therapy, Musculoskeletal, Osteoarthritis
Often caused by the natural wear and tear on the joints that occurs with age, osteoarthritis occurs in millions of people throughout the U.S. and typically develops during or after an individual’s middle ages. While the condition may develop in any joint, it’s particularly common in weight-bearing joints, including the hips. Stem Cell therapy can be an option but How effective is Stem Cell Therapy for hips?
At its best, osteoarthritis in the hip may cause mild discomfort and stiffness. At its worst, it can make daily activities like tying your shoes or taking even short walks near-impossible. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, and treatments such as invasive surgeries come with the risk of complications and long recovery periods.
Now, however, there is a new treatment available to help treat osteoarthritis and other challenging hip issues such as labral tears and bursitis: stem cell therapy for hips.
What Is Regenerative Medicine for Hips?
Stem cells have natural healing properties, along with the unique ability to self-renew and mature into specialized cell types. When strategically injected at the site of the damaged tissue, such as the hip, stem cells can trigger the body’s natural healing processes. As a result, the therapy can restore tissue, relieve inflammation and pain, and enhance mobility — even in injuries or conditions which have responded poorly to prior treatments.
How Effective Is It?
Stem cell therapy has been deemed a simple, affordable, and quick treatment for osteoarthritis of the hip. It’s also minimally invasive and improves a number of key symptoms, including pain, stiffness, and physical function. According to research, injections of mesenchymal stem cell (derived from fat tissue) have significantly improved clinical scores in patients. Results indicate that the regenerative effects of stem cells begin to take hold within two to six weeks.
Osteoarthritis isn’t the only hip condition for which stem cell therapy can be administered, however. Physicians have also been leveraging stem cell treatments in place of hip replacement surgery for conditions such as osteonecrosis. Experts believe the therapy could delay or potentially even eliminate the need for hip replacements in some cases. At the Mayo Clinic, for instance, stem cell treatment has slowed the progression of osteonecrosis by at least two to five years in 80% of patients.
In studies, patients who have received stem cell injections to alleviate hip pain have shown up to a 94% overall improvement in their condition. Reduced pain, improved flexibility, and better sleep were just a few of the results reported by participants. Studies also indicate no treatment-related adverse effects, suggesting that this form of regenerative medicine is safe and well-tolerated by patients.
If you are tired of dealing with the pain associated with your daily activities and you would like to benefit from Stem Cell therapy for the hips then Contact us today!
by Stemedix | Mar 2, 2020 | Osteoarthritis
More than half a million people in the U.S. receive a knee replacement every year. Within just a decade, that number is projected to rise to three million. The reasons for this rapid increase span far and wide: factors like the quest to lead healthier, more active lifestyles and increasing obesity rates could all play a role in the uptick in conditions like arthritis, which manifests in the form of unrelenting knee pain. A solution researchers have been working on is stem cell therapy for knees.
Osteoarthritis, in particular, is a common condition known to affect the knees. It’s the most prevalent type of arthritis and impacts millions of individuals across the globe. In this form of arthritis, the cartilage at the end of the bones which serves as cushioning wears away. Osteoarthritis may develop over time as a result of general wear and tear, but it could also be triggered by knee injuries such as tendon damage, fracture, or a ligament tear.
Traditionally, treatments for damaged knees have included temporary fixes, such as physical therapy or medications, as well as surgical intervention. Patients have understandably yearned for a fix that’s both long-lasting and less invasive – a solution which has heretofore seemed impossible.
Yet, researchers have also been working hard to find an answer to the knee pain epidemic. And, it appears that they’ve found it in the form of stem cell therapy.
Stem Cell Therapy for Knees
A number of studies on stem cell therapy for knee pain have been performed within recent years. Researchers have refined their approaches, using various forms and combinations of stem cell preparations to determine which yield the best results, thus improving outcomes over time. Results indicate that while the joints continue to deteriorate naturally, knees that receive stem cell therapy are still in better condition than they were before – even five years later.
Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and transform into virtually any other cell type with specialized functions. Experts believe their healing effects are a result of their power to change into cartilage cells, minimize the inflammation associated with arthritis, and release powerful cytokines to control pain and slow the degenerative process.
Injuries and degenerative conditions in joints like the knees are particularly difficult to treat. In these areas, the blood supply is limited, and the body’s natural regenerative capabilities are therefore restricted. Regenerative medicine therapy such as stem cell treatment can essentially turbocharge the healing process, spurring self-recovery when injected at the site of the damage. Thus, these treatments hold promise for alleviating conditions that have not responded well to previous therapies but significantly impact the daily routines of individuals experiencing them.
by admin | Jan 23, 2020 | Musculoskeletal, Osteoarthritis, Stem Cell Therapy
Virtually everyone will have musculoskeletal pain at some point in their lives. For most, it is a short-lived pain that goes away in a few minutes or a few days. In many, however, musculoskeletal pain is a chronic, daily struggle. They wake up in pain, struggle with pain throughout the day, and pain interferes with their ability to sleep at night. Here is how doctors are using stem cells to treat musculoskeletal pain.
There are surprisingly few good treatments for chronic
musculoskeletal pain. One could take ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or
acetaminophen (Tylenol) to treat short term musculoskeletal pain. However,
people with chronic musculoskeletal pain need to take these drugs multiple
times a day, every day. Over time, this can damage the liver or the kidneys.
Opioids are powerful painkillers but are not good choices
for treating chronic musculoskeletal pain. People who take opioids for more
than a few weeks for non-cancer, musculoskeletal pain are at great risk of
becoming physically dependent on the drug. Stated another way, they may become
addicted to opioids.
Mesenchymal stem cells are an attractive tool to treat musculoskeletal pain because of two main factors. First, they have the ability to find their way to the site of injury and inflammation. In other words, they collect at the site of musculoskeletal pain. Second, stem cells release a large number of substances into the surrounding area that block or reduce inflammation.
Researchers have been making good progress in initial studies of mesenchymal stem cells for various kinds of musculoskeletal pain. For example, people with musculoskeletal pain caused by osteoarthritis of the knee who received stem cells had profound reductions in pain, even great relief the knee debridement surgery (i.e. orthopedic surgery to remove damaged joint tissue and make the joint surfaces smoother. In separate work, Mesenchymal stem cells reduced knee pain improved physical therapy performance and increased the volume of the knee joint affected by osteoarthritis. Similar results have been obtained in people with musculoskeletal pain and osteoarthritis in the hip and foot.
It is important to note that the procedure is safe. In a review of 844 autologous Mesenchymal stem cells infusion procedures for the treatment of osteoarthritis, there were no major adverse events reported.
Musculoskeletal pain is very common. When people develop chronic musculoskeletal pain, it can be debilitating and dramatically diminish the health-related quality of life. While more work is needed, the results detailed here provide hope to the millions of people who struggle with daily musculoskeletal pain.
Reference: Labusca, L. et al. (2015). Stem cells for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. World Journal of Stem Cells. 2015, Jan 26; 7(1): 96-105.
by admin | Oct 25, 2019 | Adipose, Osteoarthritis, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak, brittle, and are prone to fracture. While osteoporosis is commonly considered a disease of low bone density, it is actually more complex and extensive than that. New bone is constantly formed and destroyed (resorbed) throughout life. In osteoporosis, however, the rate at which it is resorbed accelerates, while the rate at which it is formed slows down. In other words, bone is being destroyed faster than it can be formed. This process changes the size and shape of bones and alters its microarchitecture (i.e. the structure of bone on a microscopic level).
Without screening, most people will not know that they have osteoporosis until they have a bone fracture. Bones simply get weaker until some minor trauma causes one or more bones to break. Fortunately, efforts to screen for the disease (e.g. DXA/DEXA or bone density scans) have helped doctors diagnose cases of osteoporosis before the disease progresses to the point of bone fracture.
The main treatment for osteoporosis is a class of drugs called bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates block the cells that resorb bone (osteoclasts) to allow the cells that form new bone (osteoblasts) to catch up. While bisphosphonates are effective, many patients experience severe GI side effects from these drugs including reflux, esophagitis, and ulcers, and cannot take them.
In an effort to find new ways to treat osteoporosis and help patients who cannot tolerate bisphosphonates, researchers are exploring the possibility of using stem cells to treat the disease. Ideally, one would take stem cells from patients, purify them, get the cells to multiply in the lab, and inject them back into patients with osteoporosis to help regrow bone. What has been unclear was whether a person with osteoporosis still has enough healthy stem cells to effectively regrow bone.
To test this, Dr. Jiang and colleagues collected stem cells from fat tissue of patients with osteoporosis (i.e. adipose-derived stem cells). The researchers took these stem cells and encouraged them to grow and multiply for 14 days. After the stem cells had proliferated, they injected the cells into mice and studied the effects on bone growth. After 4 weeks, the researchers saw evidence on X-ray scans that adipose-derived stem cells caused new bone growth.
These results demonstrate that even patients with osteoporosis still possess stem cells that can be used to treat their own osteoporosis. While the stem cells need to be treated in a laboratory setting for 14 days, it is potentially possible to use a patient’s own stem cells to regrow bone and treat their osteoporosis.
The next phase of research will be to conduct a clinical trial to show test whether autologous stem cell treatment (injecting a patient with their own stem cells) can regrow bone in humans. While those clinical studies will be critical in determining whether this approach is practical and effective for patients, this laboratory research is very promising.
Reference: Jiang, M. et al. (2014). Bone formation in adipose-derived stem cells isolated from elderly patients with osteoporosis: a preliminary study. Cell Biology International. 2014 Jan;38(1):97-105.
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