One of the challenges of aging is that cartilage in one's knees can break down over time. This can cause knee pain and discomfort. Because of the issue of the breakdown of cartilage, stem cell researchers hope to create a treatment that allows for broken down cartilage to be replaced.

Knee Problems Are Difficult to Treat

The issue with knee injuries and degeneration is that most of the treatments have either been temporary or have required surgery. However, because stem cells have the ability to take the form of other types of cells, some researchers believe that they can be used to replace worn out cartilage. 

Knees Need Cartilage

The purpose of cartilage is to allow joints to move smoothly and to protect the joints from friction. The cartilage allows the body to much more effectively absorb shock. This is important when performing tasks such as walking or running. The less cartilage that is available, the more strain that is placed on the joints.

Stem Cells Delay the Need for Surgery

A stem cell service can inject stem cells into the knee. This can help delay knee replacement surgery. The effectiveness of the treatment can vary from patient to patient, but it is worth the try when you are struggling with arthritis. The reason why stem cells do not always effectively replace cartilage is because the knees often do not have as much of a blood supply compared to other parts of the body.

The stem cells are injected into the knee using image guidance. The knees might deteriorate still, but they will be in better shape than they would be without the stem cell injection. The injection can stop inflammation and alleviate arthritis symptoms. The stem cells can grow into cartilage cells. The stem cells also slow down the degeneration of cartilage and reduce pain.

Non-Invasive and With Few Side Effects

The stem cell injection is non-invasive compared with surgical interventions. The only side effects that patients experience is temporary pain or swelling in the area of the injection. The best stem cells used are adult stem cells that are harvested from another area of the body. This is done to minimize the risk that the stem cells will be rejected. The stem cells should not be mixed with other mediums or chemicals because this will increase the risk of a bad reaction. However, stem cell treatment for the knee still needs to be approved of by the FDA.