Did you know that 33% of adults aged 65 and over will develop osteoarthritis in their lifetime? The worst thing is that even if you’re younger than that, you can still get this debilitating condition. Unfortunately, there have yet to be any actual cures for the disease, so most treatments will usually involve an endless mountain of pain medications, physical therapy that may not even work, or, in the most severe cases, just straight up cutting the affected joint out of your body.
But there is hope, because experts like have been exploring avenues in regenerative medicine—and they’ve discovered promise in mesenchymal stem cell therapy.
Cartilage Degeneration: A Leading Cause of Disability
Osteoarthritis is more common than you think. In fact, it’s the most common form of arthritis, and it is also a major cause of disability worldwide, according to an article in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage.
You’d assume that because it’s so widespread, someone would’ve discovered a cure by now, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Because little is known about the exact causes of the condition, there is no permanent cure.
However, cartilage degeneration is thought to be one of the mechanisms behind pain and immobility issues associated with osteoarthritis, leading orthopaedic experts to explore regenerative treatments like mesenchymal stem cell therapy.
MSC Therapy: Natural Regeneration
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that are capable of differentiating into cartilage-forming cells known as chondrocytes. When introduced to a region with injured cartilage, MSCs will release biological signals that will stimulate regeneration, repairing the damage and directly addressing one of the root causes of pain.
The advantages to this are twofold: by harnessing the body’s natural regenerative abilities, patients avoid surgery and experience drastically shorter recovery times. MSC therapy is also generally tolerated well, both due to the non-invasive nature of the treatment and because it uses the patient’s own cells – reducing the risks of complications or autoimmune responses.
MSC therapy tends to have longer-lasting effects than other types of injections, leading to long-term improvements in joint function for the patient. Additionally, because the procedure effectively repairs the damaged cartilage, it can delay or even prevent the need for joint replacement surgery. Basically, it’s a non-surgical treatment that can potentially stop you from needing any surgery at all. Isn’t that amazing?
Treatment Options in London
If you’re interested in MSC therapy, look for orthopaedic veterans like the ones at London Cartilage Clinic. They’ll offer the treatment to patients who want to manage cartilage-related conditions or injuries caused by sports – osteoarthritis included.
However, suitability will vary based on the extent of cartilage damage and your overall health. So if you really want to avoid surgery, book a consultation with an expert to explore all of your potential options.
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