Stem cells injection for knee has become a promising method for regenerative knee treatment. It can address knee osteoarthritis and alleviate arthritis pain. Learn more about the features.
A new therapeutic method has recently become popular in Turkey, offering hope for healing knee diseases and problems without surgical intervention. Simply by extracting stem cells from your body and injecting them into the knee joint, damaged cartilage problems can be treated, renewing worn-out parts of the knee cartilage.
Approximately 10% of the general population suffers from knee osteoarthritis as they age. Over time, this inflammation leads to cartilage degeneration in the knee joint, causing troublesome symptoms such as severe pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritis stem cell treatment in Turkey can alleviate these symptoms by renewing cartilage tissues and accelerating their healing, potentially as an alternative to knee replacement surgery with an artificial joint. Follow along to learn more about the benefits of stem cells for the knee, their drawbacks, and the cost of treatment in Turkey.
Components of the knee
The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the human body, consisting of several main components that work together to ensure movement and stability:
1. Bones:
- Femur: The long bone in the upper leg.
- Tibia: The larger bone in the lower leg.
- Patella: The small bone that covers the front of the knee, also known as the “kneecap.”
2. Cartilage:
- Articular cartilage: A smooth, slippery layer that covers the ends of the bones in the joint, allowing them to glide smoothly over each other and reducing friction.
- Meniscus: C-shaped cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and evenly distributes weight in the knee.
3. Ligaments:
- An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): Prevents the tibia from sliding forward relative to the femur.
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): Prevents the tibia from sliding backward relative to the femur.
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL): Provides stability to the inner part of the knee.
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL): Provides stability to the outer part of the knee.
4. Tendons:
- Quadriceps tendon: Connects the front thigh muscle to the patella.
- Patellar tendon: Connects the patella to the tibia.
- Hamstring tendons: Connect the muscles in the back of the thigh to the tibia.
5. Muscles:
- Quadriceps: Located at the front of the thigh, responsible for extending the knee.
- Hamstrings: Located at the back of the thigh, responsible for flexing the knee.
- Other Muscles: Several smaller muscles contribute to the movement and stability of the knee.
6. Other tissues:
- Synovial membrane: Lines the joint and produces synovial fluid, which nourishes and lubricates the joint.
- Bursae: Small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between the tissues in the knee.
- Blood vessels: Supply the knee with oxygen-rich blood and nutrients.
- Nerves: Carry sensory and motor signals to and from the knee.
All these components work together harmoniously to ensure smooth and stable knee movement, allowing us to walk, run, jump, and perform many other daily activities.
Overview of the stem cells injection for knee
Stem cell surgery for knees has caught the attention of doctors worldwide. This modern therapeutic approach has enabled the healing and recovery from some diseases that were once thought to be chronic and untreatable.
The advantages and benefits of stem cell shots for knees are numerous and diverse. Stem cell benefits are not limited to knee problems alone; they are also used in Turkey to treat many body problems and diseases, including hair loss, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and many others.
Stem cells can address several issues in the human body because they can transform into different cell types to replace dead or damaged body cells. When these stem cells are injected into the knee, they can transform into healthy cartilage cells to compensate for the damage to the cartilage.
Simply put, stem cell procedure for knee aims to repair knee cartilage problems in patients experiencing symptoms indicating cartilage damage, such as pain, swelling, and knee stiffness.
How are stem cells obtained?
The method of obtaining stem cells primarily depends on the disease being treated, which also determines the source of the therapeutic cells. Stem cells are obtained based on their source and type from the following:
- Adult bone marrow: The marrow is extracted from one of the major bones in the body, such as the pelvis. Stem cells can also be mobilized from the bone marrow into the bloodstream using particular mobilizing drugs, most commonly G-CSF, given to the donor for several days. This significantly increases the number of circulating stem cells, making obtaining them directly from the blood in large quantities easier.
- Umbilical cord: Blood is collected from the umbilical cord immediately after birth. Impurities and unwanted cells are then removed so the remaining stem cells can be used in treatments. The cells are compressed, placed in a preservative solution, and stored in tubes or bags. They are preserved in liquid nitrogen at very low temperatures, down to minus 196 degrees Celsius, and can be used for many years afterward.
- Adipose tissue (fat): This method involves liposuction from specific body areas. The fat tissue is then specially processed in a laboratory, and stem cells are extracted through various techniques.
- Embryonic stem cells: These are obtained from an embryo at its early developmental stages. The cells are stimulated to proliferate in the laboratory and differentiate into specialized cells outside the body. Once differentiation markers appear, they are injected for therapeutic purposes.
How is the stem cells injection for knee done in Turkey?
The regenerative therapy for knees is a straightforward and low-risk procedure. It can be performed in the doctor’s outpatient clinic, and the patient does not need to stay in the hospital; they can return home immediately after the injection.
Fortunately, our bodies continuously produce stem cells, so the stem cells are taken from the patient’s own blood and will undergo treatment. This is one of the advantages of stem cell transplant for knees, as it protects the patient from the risk of their body rejecting the sample and forming an immune reaction. Your body cannot reject what it produces itself.
First, a blood sample is taken from the patient’s arm as usual. Then, this sample is sent to the laboratory for the separation of blood components and to increase the number of stem cells using laboratory techniques. After this process is completed, the stem cells are collected into a specialized syringe.
The doctor injects the stem cell syringe into the patient’s knee, completing the procedure. The patient must then follow their doctor’s instructions during the period following the knee regenerative treatment.
Post-stem cell knee treatment
You may experience some discomfort and uneasiness for 24 to 72 hours after the stem cells injection for the knee. Don’t worry; this is normal and usually subsides over time. The person typically notices a gradual improvement in their symptoms after the knee injection.
One of the most important steps to ensure positive outcomes for stem cell treatment for knee pain is to adhere to the medical team’s instructions during the recovery period, including:
- Rest and avoid physical activity as much as possible during the first two days after the injection.
- Do not take pain relievers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) during the first two weeks after the knee injection.
- You can start walking with light jogging in the third week after the stem cells injection for knee.
- After one month of stem cell transplantation, the patient can return to their usual activities.
Visit the doctor regularly to assess the knee’s response to treatment. The first follow-up should be after one week, followed by another after one full month of the procedure. The doctor may request X-rays of the knees to evaluate the condition of the treated joint.
Benefits of the stem cells injection for knee
Stem cell procedure for knee has facilitated the accelerated healing and recovery of cartilage damaged by osteoarthritis. This technique treats joint stiffness and alleviates knee pain during movement.
Several studies have been conducted regarding the technique of stem cells injection for knee on several patients with various complaints. These studies have concluded that stem cells injection for knee has the following benefits:
Stem cells injection for knee show numerous potential benefits in treating knee pain and related issues, especially those associated with degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) and cartilage injuries:
1. Pain and inflammation relief:
- Stem cells help reduce inflammation in the joint, leading to pain relief and improved mobility.
- Stem cells secrete anti-inflammatory and growth-stimulating substances, contributing to the acceleration of the natural healing process.
2. Cartilage repair:
- Stem cells can transform into new cartilage cells, assisting in the repair and reconstruction of damaged cartilage.
- This can improve joint function and reduce friction between bones.
3. Delay or avoid surgery:
- In some cases, stem cells injection for knee can be an alternative to surgery, particularly for patients with moderate cartilage damage.
- The treatment may help delay the need for knee joint replacement surgery for many years.
4. Safe and natural procedure:
- The stem cells injection for knee is considered relatively safe, as the patient’s own cells (autologous cells) or cells from a compatible donor (donor cells) are used.
- This procedure does not involve large surgical incisions, reducing the risk of complications and allowing for quick recovery.
5. Improved quality of life:
- Alleviating pain and enhancing joint function can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life.
- Patients can regain the ability to perform daily activities, exercise, and enjoy life better.
However, it should be noted that:
- The stem cells injection for knee is still a relatively new field, and more studies are needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness.
- This treatment is unsuitable for all cases of knee damage and may not be effective in advanced cases of osteoarthritis.
Therefore, it is important to consult a specialized physician to evaluate your condition and determine whether the stem cells injection for knee is appropriate for you.
Treatment of arthritis with stem cells
Arthritis inflammation has often been thought to cause irreversible damage to knee cartilage. What is the solution to this problem?
Stem cells injection for knee helps renew damaged cartilage before the disease progresses to advanced stages, causing severe pain. Advanced stages of inflammation usually require joint replacement surgery to alleviate pain.
Stem cells injection for knee reduces the severity of arthritis inflammation, reducing knee cartilage damage. Therefore, the injections reduce the need for pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs and delay joint replacement surgery, potentially serving as an alternative to surgery in some cases.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections also help reduce the severity of inflammation; however, their effect lasts longer than the stem cells injection for knee. You can read more about PRP injections for the knee.
Treatment of knee stiffness with stem cells
Knee stiffness is characterized by difficulty moving the knee joint, pain, and discomfort. It is a common symptom experienced by many people, especially the elderly suffering from osteoarthritis.
Stem cells injection for knee in Turkey contributes to renewing damaged knee cartilage, helping to treat and alleviate the troublesome symptoms of knee stiffness, affecting the affected person’s quality of life.
While there are many treatment options available for knee stiffness, such as hyaluronic acid injections and platelet-rich plasma injections, stem cells injection for knee remains the preferred option because its effects last longer than other methods.
In severe and advanced stages of stiffness, stem cells injection for knee may not be beneficial because the cartilage is severely damaged, making it challenging to repair its cells. In such cases, the optimal treatment is to perform knee cartilage replacement surgery or complete joint replacement.
Which is better: plasma or stem cells injection for knee?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The patient must understand and compare their options, whether the doctor administers platelet-rich plasma injections or stem cells.
One research paper indicates that platelet-rich plasma injections have a higher potential for patients with osteoarthritis. This study found that the treatment is more effective in mild to moderate osteoarthritis cases. Those treated with platelet-rich plasma showed improvements in stiffness, pain, and joint function. On the other hand, the stem cells injection for knee showed significant improvement in moderate to severe cases of osteoarthritis, noting that in very severe cases, the only available option may be to perform a joint replacement for the affected joint.
Drawbacks of stem cells injection for knee
Although stem cells injection for knee is generally considered safe, there are some potential harms and side effects that you should be aware of:
Potential harms:
- Failure to achieve desired results: Stem cells injection for knee may not yield the desired outcomes in some cases, especially in the advanced stages of cartilage damage.
- Need for repeat treatments: Some patients may require repeated injections to maintain the achieved results.
- Cost: The stem cells injection for knee can be expensive, and it may not be covered by health insurance.
- Limited long-term studies: Research on the long-term effectiveness of stem cells injection for knee is still limited.
Possible side effects:
- Pain and swelling at the injection site: Mild pain and swelling may occur at the injection site, typically resolving within a few days.
- Allergic reactions: In rare cases, allergic reactions may occur to the stem cells or the materials used in the injection.
- Infection: There is a slight risk of infection at the injection site, but this risk can be minimized by following the doctor’s instructions for wound care.
- Abnormal cell growth: In rare cases, abnormal cell growth may occur at the injection site, but this risk is considered very low.
Price of the stem cells injection for knee in Turkey
The cost of the stem cells injection for knee in Turkey starts from $2,000 for a single knee and is less than $4,000 when both knees are injected. The cost may vary depending on the patient’s condition, the type of stem cells used, and the number of sessions required.
Turkey has excelled in stem cells injection for knee and has become one of the leading countries in this field. Many advanced medical centers specializing in stem cell therapy have been established in Turkey, equipped with the latest technologies and staffed by expert medical teams.
Turkey, specifically Istanbul, attracts many tourists every year to undergo specialized treatments. Istanbul is known for its affordable treatment prices, offering the best possible medical service and high quality. You can contact our medical team for assistance if you want to travel and receive modern therapy in Turkey. The team consists of a group of Arab and Turkish doctors who help the patient step by step in choosing the best center or hospital for the desired treatment at the lowest possible cost.
In conclusion, the stem cells injection for knee is a modern technique that contributes to treating knee stiffness and alleviating arthritis pain. This modern treatment aims to stimulate the renewal of worn knee tissues due to osteoarthritis and is characterized by its ease of application and low-risk
References:
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injections Improve Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis. Yong-Gon Koh, M.D., Seung-Bae Jo, M.D.
- Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
