STEM CELL THERAPY AS A SHOULDER REPLACEMENT ALTERNATIVE

Consider shoulder replacement alternatives because the shoulder is perhaps the most mobile joint in the human body. We use our shoulders a lot in the course of a normal day. Whether we’re at the gym, playing sports, or just working around the yard or house, our shoulders are called upon for a range of motions as well as stabilization. This is why many of us just accept sore and painful shoulders as a part of life. A consequence of working or playing hard.

But, for many, a nagging shoulder can’t be ignored. A bum shoulder limits their activities and reduces their overall quality of life. Especially when it comes to a painful degenerative condition like shoulder osteoarthritis.

What Is Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder?

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is a gradual softening or degeneration of the articular cartilage. It’s an age-related type of arthritis attributed to normal everyday wear and tear. Although it generally occurs in people over the age of 50, it can also occur in younger people as well.

Patients experience chronic joint, pain, swelling, and inflammation. Over time there may be a total loss of cartilage. This may cause bones to rub against one another while the shoulder is in motion; producing worsening pain and discomfort.

Is Shoulder Surgery the Best Way to Treat Osteoarthritis?

While shoulder joint replacement isn’t as common as hip or knee replacement, the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality estimates that roughly 53,000 people in the U.S. undergo the procedure each year.

Despite solid success rates, surgery in and of itself is risky. So much so that it should be the absolute last option to address chronic shoulder pain. Infection, osteolysis, implant fractures, blood clots, and rare metal-allergy reactions are always possibilities with shoulder surgeries.

The recovery phase for shoulder surgery is also extensive. Pain and discomfort can last anywhere from 7 to 10 days following the procedure. Full recovery can take up to 6 weeks.

Throughout this time, your shoulder will need to remain still. Your arm may be in a sling for a few weeks to assist with this. There will be frequent applications of cold packs to alleviate swelling and pain, along with physical therapy sessions to help you regain function. Make no mistake about it, recovering from shoulder replacement is a long and challenging ordeal.

Adult Stem Cells Are a Less Invasive Alternative to Shoulder Replacement

Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition. Once it begins, there is no cure for this degenerative condition. Continued articular cartilage damage is common even after modifying activities, resting and icing your shoulder, using anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medications (NSAIDs) or prescription opioids, cortisone injections, and physical therapy.

Think of stem cell therapy as the next option before shoulder joint replacement surgery. Adult (autologous) stem cells are easily harvested directly from your bone marrow. Once harvested, it is concentrated into a combination of stem cells, platelets, and white blood cells. It’s then injected into the damaged shoulder joint to regenerate articular cartilage, reduce pain and inflammation processes, and accelerate healing.

In addition to providing relief to osteoarthritis sufferers, stem cell therapy is an effective technique for rotator cuff repair – which is usually addressed (much less effectively) with arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Is Stem Cell Therapy Right for You?

Both shoulder joint replacement and arthroscopic shoulder surgery involve months of rehab and potential risks and complications.

As shoulder replacement alternatives, stem cell therapies offered by Advanced Regenerative Medicine in Pittsburgh may alleviate shoulder pain and discomfort, plus the conditions causing it, with one simple injection done right at our office. You’ll be able to resume normal activities immediately following the procedure.

To learn more about this shoulder replacement alternative, contact us today at 855-984-8287.

STEM CELL TREATMENT AS KNEE REPLACEMENT ALTERNATIVE

There’s never been a bigger need for knee replacement alternatives than today. Millions of people throughout the U.S. live with excruciating knee pain or discomfort each day. Every step they take is accompanied by a groan and a grimace. So much so that this pain dictates what they can and cannot do; drastically impacting their quality of life. Simple things like walking up stairs or bending down to play with the dog suddenly aren’t that simple anymore.

Causes of Knee Pain

The reasons for knee pain vary. Arthritic knees are the most common culprit followed by injury. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint condition. Normal “wear and tear” in one’s lifetime will gradually erode the protective cartilage cushioning the joints. When this happens, bones under that cartilage may begin to rub together. This friction results in pain, swelling, and loss of motion within the joint.

It seems like both obesity and exercise are contributing to much of the knee osteoarthritis we’re seeing today. Even carrying as little as 10 extra pounds adds stress to the knee with each step. The Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research & Training Center recently concluded a study suggesting that losing just 15 pounds can alleviate knee pain by as much as 50 percent.

If it’s not the weight, it’s lifelong high-intensity exercise beating up the joints. Hello irony. We exercise to stay healthy and keep off unwanted pounds. But plenty of young lifelong runners, cyclists, and weight lifters (those squats wreak havoc on the knees) now have chronic knee pain.

Treating Knee Pain

Many people initially opt to “tough it out.” They’ll routinely ice their knee, wear protective bracing when active, or reach for that bottle of ibuprofen to get through the day.

Unfortunately, when they do talk about knee pain with a doctor, many recommend surgery right out the gate. Even when there are many less invasive knee replacement alternatives.

Knee Replacements Are on the Rise

Knee replacement surgeries have doubled within the past twenty years. While much of the uptick can be attributed to Baby Boomers, more and more people in their 40s and 50s are now undergoing knee replacements for the reasons we mentioned above.

However, there are a few problems with knee replacements that aren’t always openly discussed.

1. They Aren’t Effective for Everyone – A Virginia Commonwealth University study concluded that nearly one-third of knee replacement patients weren’t actually good candidates for the procedure. At best, the procedure only has very modest benefits for anyone without constant knee pain or moderate to severe arthritis.

2. Knee Surgery Hurts & Recovery is Tough – The first few weeks after a knee surgery can be especially painful. Post-surgery swelling and bruising can last up to three or more months.

For the first month after the procedure, ice may need to be applied hourly, pain medications may be needed every 4 to 6 hours, and you’ll need to exercise the knee three times a day.

Physical therapy may be needed for up to 4 or 5 months.

It can be anywhere from 3 or 6 weeks to 3 months before you can return to work depending on your overall health and occupation.

3. Addictive Narcotics May Be Needed – Morphine is usually administered at the hospital and opioids are typically prescribed for anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks. Not only are such medications highly addictive, but they also come with a slew of side effects ranging from depression, mental confusion, and psychotic symptoms to constipation and other physical ailments.

Results Are Neither Guaranteed or Long-Lasting – Contrary to what you may be told, a knee replacement doesn’t make you “As good as new.” Just roughly 75 percent of your original knee function and capacity can be reclaimed. Patients under the age of 65 also need to be reminded that the average lifespan of a replacement knee is two decades.

Stem Cell Treatment Has Emerged as an Alternative to Knee Replacements

The human body is a miraculous structure. Our bodies are inclined to heal themselves. It’s just some tissue damage becomes harder to heal the older we get.

Thankfully, within the marrow cavities of our bones sits a reserve of stem cells. These stem cells can be extracted from the blood by needle. They can then be injected into the knee area to repair the degenerated tissue.

Who Is a Candidate for this Alternative to Knee Replacement Surgery?

Stem cell implementation is most commonly recommended to patients with knee osteoarthritis who are no longer responding to rest, medications, cortisone shots, hyaluronic acid injections, and physical therapy. It may also be an option for younger people with a chronic tendon issues or soft tissue injuries.

Generally, stem cell therapy works best for patients with secondary to moderate osteoarthritis in the knee. It’s most effective for patients that have yet to experience a complete collapse of joint space or bone on bone friction.

Can Joint Cartilage be Regenerated by Stem Cell Injections?

Although some data does suggest that portions of worn-down cartilage can be regenerated by stem cell therapy, more research is needed. What we know at this time is stem cell injections are effective when it comes to alleviating joint pain, stiffness, and tenderness. This has made stem cell implantation a very popular alternative approach to knee cartilage repair.

Nearly 80 percent of stem cell patients report significant pain relief and improved function within 1 to 2 months after the procedure. You should never feel as if knee replacement surgery is your only option. There is always another option and in this case it is stem cell therapies for knee replacement alternatives.

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell injections are a non-invasive effective knee replacement alternative. It’s an outpatient procedure without the typical wait that accompanies knee surgery. Rehabilitation isn’t a long painful process. In fact, most people can resume normal activities immediately after the procedure. This means there’s no missing work or being laid up like there is with knee replacement surgery.

Are You a Candidate for Stem Cell Therapy?

If you’d like to schedule a consultation to determine if you’re a fit for this knee replacement alternative, call Advanced Regenerative Medicine today at 855-984-8287.