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

View all posts by Hal Blatman MD →

Name*
Email*
Phone #
How Did You Hear About Us?*
Message*
Terms*
- I Agree
Read Terms
Form Submission Terms
Close
I understand that by clicking "Send", I am providing Dr. Blatman / blatmanhealthandwellness.com with the personal information that I filled out above. Dr. Blatman / blatmanhealthandwellness.com will not share or sell this information with anyone outside of our organization, but it may be viewed by our extended team. Thus, do not share confidential or sensitive personal or medical information. By pressing “Send” I confirm and give permission to process my personal data.
Security

Patient Testimonials

As an author of one of the early texts on Evidence-Based Medicine I know the power and peril of anecdote. That said I arrived to present at a conference with a painfully familiar recurrence lower back pain, bracing myself for days if not weeks of symptoms to come. Hal kindly offered to diagnose and provide some hands on treatment. Within 10 minutes I felt 50% better and by morning I was 80% better and could put my socks on again. Within a week I was completely pain free. While this is by no means scientific evidence I could not help but feel awe inspired by Hal and his care.

Daniel Friedman, MD

I was in pain daily and forced to limit my exercise. This was a real blow to me because exercise had always been a part of my life. I tried anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy, but nothing worked. I was afraid I was going to have to live the rest of my life like this. That’s when I was introduced to Dr. Blatman’s philosophies. By implementing his ideas of wellness into my life and selective trigger point injections, I’m happy to say that I am now happy, healthy and pain free.

Teri Boynton

When I first went to Dr. Blatman two years ago, I was spending 1-3 days a week in bed with severe neck pain, headaches and nausea. I had had migraines for 40 years and been to countless doctors, but did not receive any help. I had also developed chronic myofascial pain in my neck. Now, two years later, I have not been bed ridden with a sick pain event in my neck or head once, and I have a life again, thanks to Dr. Blatman's expert knowledge, thoughtful help and perseverance.

Wendy Andrews

I visited Dr. Blatman to receive relief from a strained groin, and recurrent calf pain due to an injury a year ago. After two visits where Dr. Blatman performed the trigger point injection technique, both problems have been resolved and I have been able to resume all activities including playing tennis 3 times a week. I would highly recommend Dr. Blatman and his associates.

Chris Uhlhorn

Since beginning treatment with Dr. Blatman, I have lost lost 30 pounds and gone from being unable to walk without help, to a career singing and dancing at retirement communities, sometimes up to four hours a day.

Linda Cosby

After suffering with widespread pain for two years, I was told it was all in my head and that nothing could be done for my condition as nothing appeared on an x-ray or MRI. After joining a fibromyalgia support group, I was referred to Dr. Blatman. I found [it] to be very calm[ing] and reassuring that my pain was real. We discussed medication, therapies exercise and diet changes and Dr. Blatman literally walked with me in reclaiming my life.

Sylvia Link

Like so many people who suffer with chronic headaches, I had gotten only partial relief from traditional medicine. Dr. Blatman understands the impact of headache pain. His emphasis on multiple techniques made a big difference for me.

Chris Modrall

Within ten days, my groin muscle pain was gone and the elbow tendonitis pain resolved in a slightly longer time. Both problems have gone away with no recurrence.

Alan Rosenberg

The key to relieving chronic pain, especially fibromyalgia and myofascial pain, requires identification and treatment of perpetuating factors. This must be done on a patient-by-patient basis, due to the variables these conditions present. Dr. Blatman provides this total patient care.

Devin Starlanyl

Chronic Fatigue was my diagnosis in 2005. How do you treat Chronic Fatigue? Well, there is no magic pill or cure. So I suffered for almost 2 years. I did not find a magic pill but I did find Blatman Pain Clinic. I was cautious about many of his recommendations but I have found out the hard way to follow his advise. My energy level is back to normal. I can keep up with my hectic job and 2 teenage children. I am a single parent and they count on me! Thank You Dr. Blatman!

KG

I don’t have a lot of time to get better when my back hurts. Bad backs are an occupational hazard in dentistry. Treatment with Dr. Blatman gets me out of pain, back to work and back on the golf course with a minimal amount of down time. Having this treatment available has been an indispensable part of my life in terms of doing the things I need and love to do.

Dr. Richard Wolterman

MENU