How does a Stem Cell Injection Work in a Severe Arthritis Patient?

stem cell arthritis

We see knee, hip, shoulder, ankle and other arthritis patients who have everything from mild to severe arthritis. While through the years we’ve observed some really impressive MRI changes in many patients after stem cell arthritis injections, some start out with such severe arthritis that seeing significant changes on the MRI’s isn’t possible. When these patients get long term responses with decreased pain and increased function, how does that work? We believe it works by replenishing the lost “stem cell reserve”  in the arthritic joint. While you may not know it, normal healthy joints are chock full of their own stem cells. These live in the cartilage, on the surfaces of the bone, in the synovial tissue (part of the joint capsule covering), in the synovial fluid (the lubricating “grease” of the joint) and in and around the ligaments, meniscus, and/or labral tissue. Why do all of these joint stem cells exist? They help keep the joint healthy by repairing small amounts of normal wear and tear damage. They also help to keep the chemical environment of the joint focused in the right direction-what we’ll call an “anabolic” state (meaning capable of repair and building). Think of these stem cells as millions of tiny maintenance men that are there when you need them to keep things in working order. However, what happens when we age or the chemical environment of the knee gets toxic? We have less of these tiny workmen to keep up with the normal wear and tear. So what happens as we lose these critical joint stem cells? The environment shifts to become “Catabolic”-meaning that the breakdown of tissue overtakes the ability of the joint to repair and maintain itself. We believe that stem cell injections work in severely arthritic joints by replenishing these lost stem cells (see illustration above). This provides a more normal amount of stem cells in the joint, restoring it’s ability to maintain itself. The upshot? The arthritis mantra may have to change from “Got Milk?” to “Got Stem Cells?”.

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Chris Centeno, MD is a specialist in regenerative medicine and the new field of Interventional Orthopedics. Centeno pioneered orthopedic stem cell procedures in 2005 and is responsible for a large amount of the published research on stem cell use for orthopedic applications. View Profile

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NOTE: This blog post provides general information to help the reader better understand regenerative medicine, musculoskeletal health, and related subjects. All content provided in this blog, website, or any linked materials, including text, graphics, images, patient profiles, outcomes, and information, are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please always consult with a professional and certified healthcare provider to discuss if a treatment is right for you.

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