Does Stem Cell Therapy Work with Bone on Bone Arthritis?

04 Aug Does Stem Cell Therapy Work with Bone on Bone Arthritis?

One of the main questions we receive from individuals considering regenerative therapy for an arthritic joint is “Will the stem cell therapy work if I have bone on bone arthritis?” Interstingly, the answer is yes!

We didn’t always think it would help. When R3 first started over five years ago, we told providers it probably wouldn’t work. Thankfully, we were wrong! The outcomes proved to be exceptional over 80% of the time.

As the past five years have gone by and patient after patient has gotten dramatically better from the treatment, we have learned what is most likely happening with the joint treatment.

How Arthritis Occurs

Throughout life, people make cartilage at the same rate. It doesn’t matter whether a person is twenty or eighty, cartilage formation occurs consistently. The issue concerns the rate of cartilage loss. Unfortunately, with age comes an increased rate of cartilage loss. So the ratio of formation to loss turns into a mismatch.

This leads to an overall loss and degenerative arthritis. What’s being accomplished with a regenerative procedure (e.g. umbilical cord stem cell therapy), is putting the ratio back into the patient’s favor. It is NOT a cure or a complete fix, anyone who says that is not being realistic.

With the ratio being put back into the patient’s favor, cartilage formation can accumulate in a joint. Often times, noticeable joint improvement will occur on x-rays over time. It does not need to be a ton, simply a couple millimeters will usually be enough to create tremendous relief for patients.

How long will the relief last from a regenerative injection?

This is variable, and there is no set time frame. We have seen patients treated five years ago doing fantastic, while others may need a repeat treatment after a couple years. A person may not need another stem cell treatment, but may just benefit from a PRP treatment. The relief usually starts within the first month, and continues to improve for over six months.

There is no age limit to the treatment. R3’s Centers have seen patients upwards of age 102. The desire may simply be to walk farther, play more with the grandkids or play golf more often. Thankfully, the treatments are extremely safe in addition to being effective over 80% of the time.

How is Amniotic and Umbilical Cord Tissue Regulated?

Amniotic and umbilical cord tissue is strictly FDA regulated. During processing, any DNA factors are removed so it does not lead to rejection. The best labs, such as the ones R3 works with, ensure very high cell viability by not using radiation and only minimal preservative. This is one reason the outcomes at our Centers has been so amazing.

With the outcomes being so exceptional, over 95% of patients considering treatment at R3 now ask for amniotic and umbilical cord tissue treatment. Along with the outcomes, there is no need for harvesting so the potential for chronic donor site pain is avoided. When a bone marrow or adipose procedure is undergone, the potential for chronic donor site pain is over 30%, and with each year that goes by the regenerative cell counts in the human body decreases considerably.

R3 Stem Cell has over thirty Centers of Excellence nationwide. All of them offer a free consultation, and the providers are first rate. Call today to set up your visit to R3, where Regenerative Medicine is Made Easy!