Adult Stem Cells For Tissue Regeneration

     As a physician, people often go out of their way to talk to me about their aches, pains, and concerns.  As we’ve crossed the threshold into our 40s, knee pain has become a common topic.  Years of activity (or inactivity and weight gain) have resulted in painful cartilage damage and loss.  At some point, some people pass the point of no return, so to speak, and need knee repair.

     In orthopedic speak, “repair” means surgery.  Regrettably, knee surgery options are limited to microfracture, partial or total knee replacement.  A big concern of many is knee surgery pain and pain after knee surgery.  A good friend described total knee replacement as “sawing off the end of your bones and hammering in titanium tent pegs.” 
    

He then went on to say how he feared that total knee replacement surgery would forever limit his activities like mogul skiing and trail running.  Unfortunately, this is in large part true.  While knee replacements can get the poorly mobile back on their feet - once the pain after knee surgery subsides, aggressive activities are limited.

   There is an alternative to knee replacement surgery: with a relatively pain free, short recovery period, that allows return to aggressive, high impact activities like running, skiing, or in this particular case - kick boxing. It is transplantation of your own stem cells.  In a new, though prooven stem cell transplant procedure, cartilage can be re-grown in knees simply by placing them in the joint with a needle.  Thus the painful “bone on bone” arthritis, partial ligament and meniscus tears, can be healed effectively with your body’s own natural tissue, allowing quick return to your usual activities.