Knee pain is a common condition that people of all ages can experience. It can stem from injury, natural wear and tear from aging, or degenerative medical conditions like osteoarthritis. Finding the right treatment can help improve your quality of life and mobility. Many people choose to stick with traditional methods like pain medications, physical therapy, and surgery, but we offer alternatives with innovative therapies that repair damaged tissue and provide much-needed relief.
Stem cell therapy, or orthobiologic treatment, uses stem cells and growth factors to reduce knee pain. Stem cells are unique cells that can divide into any other type of cell in the body, such as cartilage, bone, or tendon cells. These cells perform many jobs and are a popular regenerative medicine for many orthopedic conditions.
In stem cell therapy for knee pain, we harvest the stem cells from the patient's bone marrow or adipose tissue-- typically from their arm. The stem cells are then concentrated together before we inject them into the affected area of the knee joint. They can then develop into the specific cell types needed to repair damaged tissue and promote healing.
Several studies have found that stem cell therapy improves arthritis symptoms in the knee. While overall results are promising, further research is needed to discover exactly how the healing process works and how long the results last. Side effects are minimal; the most common is some increased discomfort or swelling in the affected area. It is important to remember the various ways of harvesting and processing stem cells can affect success rates and reports of adverse effects in published studies.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that utilizes the body's natural healing ability to stimulate tissue repair. In PRP therapy, a small sample of the patient's blood is drawn and processed to concentrate the platelets. Platelets are rich in growth factors and anti-inflammatory proteins that boost healing, regulate immune cell function, and relieve symptoms. We will inject the concentrated PRP directly into the affected knee joint area.
The growth factors stimulate the body's natural healing process, promoting tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation in the affected joint. PRP has shown promising results in knee pain from osteoarthritis, tendonitis, and other orthopedic conditions that cause knee pain. In a 2017 review published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 14 randomized trials found that patients who received PRP injections experienced significant pain relief and improved mobility compared to those who received the placebo. Another benefit of PRP is the minimal risk of adverse effects similar to those produced by other types of injections or treatments.
Prolotherapy is injecting an irritant solution into joints, ligaments, or tendons. This solution is typically a form of sugar known as dextrose. During the procedure, we inject the solution into the joint, stimulating the body's defense and healing ability. The goal is to reduce inflammation and pain while promoting the regeneration of damaged tissues. Patients who undergo prolotherapy for knee pain will usually need three to four shots a month for several months. Following their initial treatment plan, they may also need occasional injections as needed.
Unlike PRP or stem cell therapy, this treatment does not require a blood draw or cell harvesting. It is based on the theory that the body naturally sends resources to an injured site that needs healing. While further studies are needed to determine the long-term benefits of prolotherapy, many patients report less pain and better mobility in their affected knee joints.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the synovial fluid that lubricates and cushions the joints. Those with osteoarthritis in their knees may have lower levels of hyaluronic acid. This depletion can lead to increased friction and knee pain. Hyaluronic acid injections, or viscosupplementation, involve injecting a gel-like solution of the substance directly into the knee joint to restore lubrication and reduce pain.
These injections are a noninvasive treatment option for knee pain that can significantly relieve many patients. Hyaluronic acid injections are believed to help improve joint function and reduce inflammation. Although its effectiveness may vary from patient to patient, many patients experience lasting pain relief and improved mobility after treatment.
Amniotic fluid contains water, electrolytes, proteins, and several growth factors. During this outpatient procedure, the practitioner injects amniotic membrane stem cells near the damaged tissues to help them regenerate and heal. Most patients experience relief over several months as the amniotic fluid begins to interact with the local cells in the affected knee joint and boost the healing process.
Researchers believe that amniotic injection signals to amniotic stem cells to target the damaged area with oxygen and nutrients. This increased oxygen naturally reduces inflammation and helps the body's natural ability to recover from tears and other injuries. We often use these injections to help patients with severe knee pain avoid knee replacement surgery and other invasive procedures.
Knee pain can be debilitating and greatly affect your quality of life. Regenerative medicine offers a range of innovative treatments that promote your body's natural healing ability. Call our office to learn more about our services or schedule a consultation.
Request an appointment here: https://sjrm-tn.com or call Spine & Joint Regenerative Medicine at (423) 424-1529 for an appointment in our Ooltewah office.
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