Can Stem Cells Repair Damage to Your Joint Cartilage?

By Hal Blatman MD on Oct 10, 2018 in Blog, Treatments

Stem cells

If you have cartilage decay, whether due to age, injury, or disease, then you might be wondering whether or not stem cells might be helpful. And the answer to that question is…

Yes!

Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can transform themselves into other kinds of cells including cartilage cells. When injected into a joint, like your knee, stem cells may have the potential to rejuvenate your cartilage, which may help reduce pain, increase mobility, and improve flexibility of the joint. This is exciting news for people who struggle with excruciating knee pain and are tired of relying on pain medication.

What’s more, stem cell injections may be an effective alternative for those who wish to avoid knee surgery. Emerging research now suggests that knee surgery is not effective and may even be risky.

How Long Do Stem Cells Take to Work?

Once question we often receive at Blatman Health and Wellness Center is how long it takes for stem cells to work. The answer highly depends on the severity of the injured joint. First, it’s important to remember that stem cells work by naturally repairing the cartilage and injured joint. Think about the last time you suffered from a scrape, bruise, or cut. These types of minor injuries usually disappear with a week or two because your body uses stem cells to heal. When these cells are injected into your joint, the process is very similar. So, if you’re expecting relief in days, you might be disappointed.

In general, expect it can take a few weeks or a couple months before patients notice improvement. Compared to surgery, this is still fairly quick as some surgeries can put you out of commission for months!

Hal Blatman MD

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