According to the American College of Rheumatology, osteoarthritis is one of the adults’ most common health complaints when they are in their 40s. It results from the gradual wearing down of the cartilage which cushions the bones in your joint, causing the bones to rub against each other during movement, leading to pain and discomfort.
The pursuit to find nonsurgical, alternative treatments for joint problems led researchers to discover regenerative medicine. This treatment utilizes your own healing cells to help your body heal naturally.
Specifically, the most popular regenerative medicine treatments are stem cell therapy and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy. Whereas PRP harnesses the platelets from your blood, stem cell therapy involves collecting a small sample of your own stem cells and infusing those stem cells into the painful area so that the cells can regenerate the injured tissue.
Let’s talk about what stem cell injections are, how they can treat your joint problems, and where you can go in Central Maryland for outstanding orthopedic care and treatment that works for your joint pain.
The Science Behind Stem Cell Injection Treatment
Stem cells are the original, almost “blank” cells that can grow and differentiate (to some degree) to be mature cells of body tissue. This capability makes them beneficial for replacing damaged cells with new ones in order to reduce pain and maintain the function of the tissue.
As with most medical research, animals are tested before humans are. One study of stem cells in adult goals noted the growth of a cartilage-like formation in the joints. Researchers injected a fluid mix of stem cells and nutrients into damaged tissue, and they then used light to thicken it into a gel consistency.
Today, doctors often implement stem cell injections in order to help a patient in cell regeneration, healing after having an organ transplant, and tissue repairs. In the field of orthopedics and musculoskeletal medicine, this treatment is particularly effective in fostering the healing of cartilage, tendons, nerves, and muscle tissue. There is no current treatment to proactively reverse or stop cartilage breakdown, so reactive treatment is in order.
Because stem cell treatment (as with PRP treatment) requires time for the cells to set into place and grow and repair, this treatment takes patience on the patient’s part. It may also warrant multiple treatments in the same area.
Stem cells can be found in bone marrow and fat (adipose) tissue. Your orthopedic doctor will explain the best course of extraction and treatment in your case.
Benefits for Joint Pain Relief
Stem cell injections have been found to:
- Restore diminished cartilage volume from degeneration
- Enhance the secretion of growth factors that heavily influence the cell’s natural repair process
- Elicit an immune response to interrupt underlying joint inflammation
Orthopedic Treatment for Joint Pain in Baltimore, MD
Stem cell injections, PRP therapy, and other nonsurgical treatments are the preferred solution for patients who have chronic joint pain or minor orthopedic injuries. If you’re looking for stem cell injections and other nonsurgical treatments for your joint pain, the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland is here to help you.
Call us today at (410) 644-1880 or (855) 4MD-BONE (463-2663), or fill out our appointment request form online now to schedule a consultation with one of our outstanding orthopedic doctors in greater Baltimore. We look forward to helping you tamp down your joint pain or heal your sports injury!
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