Stem cell injections are one of many regenerative medicine treatment options for patients with pain caused by arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis and other sources of inflammation. As an orthopedic doctor who primarily treats hip and knee conditions, I’ve seen marked improvement in patients who choose regenerative injections, such as stem cell injections, to treat persistent joint pain without surgery.
Because stem cell therapy is a relatively new treatment option for orthopedic conditions, people tend to have many questions, such as:
What orthopedic conditions can be treated with stem cell therapy?
We use stem cell injections for arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis and any area with damaged tissue and inflammation throughout the body.
How do stem cell injections help with arthritis pain?
In the setting of arthritis, we are trying to improve or maintain the health of the cartilage that’s been damaged by the arthritic process, as well as improve the overall environment of the inflamed area.
What types of stem cell injections are available for orthopedic conditions?
We are able to do amniotic fluid injections and bone marrow aspirate injections. An amniotic fluid injection is a type of stem cell injection that uses fluid obtained from a provider or company, making it a non-invasive treatment option for the patient. For bone marrow aspirate, which also contains stem cells, we obtain the aspirate from the patient, typically from the top of the pelvis along the side of the hip bone, and inject it back into the body.
How does stem cell therapy compare with steroid injections?
Steroid injections do pose some negative side effects and medical concerns. Alternatively, regenerative injections, such as stem cell injections, do not have those medical limitations.
I provide more detail about stem cell injections and who might benefit from them in the video below:
To find out if regenerative medicine treatment options may be right for you, or to consult with our physicians about your orthopedic health, please make an appointment by calling 913-319-7600.
About the Author: Scott A. Wingerter, M.D., Ph.D. is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint preservation and replacement surgery. His focus is on total joint replacement of the hip and knee, hip resurfacing, partial knee replacement, minimally invasive surgery, and hip arthroscopy.
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The medical information contained in the Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics website is provided to increase your knowledge and understanding of orthopedic conditions. This information should not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific medical or surgical treatment plan. As each patient may have specific symptoms or associated problems, the treatment regimen for a specific patient may not be the proper treatment for another.
Gaining knowledge and understanding of a particular problem or condition is the first step in any medical treatment plan. We believe the information presented on our website will be helpful for those individuals experiencing orthopedic injuries or other musculoskeletal problems. However, this information is not intended to replace the advice of your family physician. You are encouraged to consult with your physician to discuss any course of treatment presented or suggested.
