Stem cell signaling allografts & PRP for knee pain relief are available in Gilbert, AZ and the surrounding communities of Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Mesa, and Chandler, AZ.
Overview of Stem Cell Signaling
Stem cell signaling allografts & PRP are a new and emerging treatment option that evolved based on the success of autologous stem cell therapy for various orthopedic conditions. Stem cell signaling allografts mixed with PRP have some advantages over autologous stem cell treatments. First, the procedure is far less invasive than an extraction of bone marrow or adipose tissue. Secondly, the procedure is quicker to complete and can usually be done within 2 hours in a outpatient setting. Thirdly, the regenerative allograft treatment costs a fraction of the price of an autologous stem cell treatment. Of course there are downsides as well compared to live stem cells from the body. Mainly, the treatments are extremely new and are only in the beginning phases of clinical study. Broad research into regenerative allografts is underway but this takes time to play out. With that being said, there are early indications of great potential therapeutic value and thousands of successful case studies. The process works by injecting regenerative allografts mixed with PRP from the patients blood into the site of pain or injury. This triggers a complex multi-layered healing event.
The injected allograft mixed with PRP may induce many reactions at the site of placement. This can include anti-inflammatory effects, clearing of cellular debris, immune-modulation, growth factor release, cellular communication, and signaling of local stem cells into the area for connective tissue repair. (1,2,3,4,5,6). These unique features ultimately result in connective tissue healing at the damaged area. Increased function and pain reduction follow over time as structural integrity is improved or restored to the joint and surrounding tissue.
Benefits of Regenerative Treatments
- Pain Relief
- Quick Recovery Time
- Non-Surgical / Non-Invasive
- Strengthens Ligaments, Tendons, Cartilage, and Connective Tissue
- Utilizes your Natural Growth Factors / Cells
Regenerative Knee Pain Relief Case Study
Mike Johnson (fictional name) is a 67 year old male who presented to my Gilbert, AZ clinic with right knee pain for 8 years duration. Mike had previously undergone complete knee replacement in his left knee 10 years prior and did not want to undergo the surgery again on his right knee. He previously had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis of his right knee approximately 5 years ago. Since the time of diagnosis, Mike had been continually treated with hyaluronic acid injections (Orthovisc, “rooster comb”) in his right knee. The hyaluronic acid injections provided good relief for the first 5 years of treatment, but over the past 3 years his pain had gradually increased. After reviewing Mike’s medical history, completing musculoskeletal ultrasound examination and performing orthopedic exams on his knee, I decided to order an MRI. The imaging revealed bone on bone interaction in his medial compartment of his right knee with thinning cartilage present in the rest of his knee joint.
My assessment of his right knee was:
- Severe Cartilage Degeneration (worse on medial joint)
- Pain (6/10)
- Joint Instability
- MCL / LCL ligament laxity
- Decreased Range of Motion (Flexion / Extension)
- Mild Muscle Weakness
After a complete medical history review, ultrasound, orthopedic examinations, and MRI imaging, I decided that Mike was a good candidate for stem cell signaling allografts with PRP. The treatment consisted mixing together an allograft with platelet rich plasma (PRP) into solution. That was then injected into his right knee joint capsule, medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, and pes anserine. Local anesthetic was applied before the treatment for better injection tolerance. Ultrasound was was for accuracy during the procedure. Mike tolerated the treatment well with minimal discomfort after the injections. He reported immediate pain relief after standing from the treatment table. This was most likely from increased fluid in the joint that relieved the bone on bone interaction. Six weeks later, I followed up with Mike to check on his pain levels. At that point in time, Mike’s pain level had decreased to 1/10 and he was able to slowly resume golfing and bicycling again with his wife.
Conclusion
Stem cell signaling with PRP can be an effective option for knee pain (osteoarthritis) and can help patients avoid surgery in some select cases as noted above. Mike had been dealing with knee pain for 8 years and a replacement surgery was the next conventional treatment option. Allografts with PRP help the knee joint repair damage and treat the root cause of arthritic pain. Cartilage, tendons, and ligaments are strengthened and healed, which reduces pain and increases range of motion of the joint. Regenerative allografts should be considered as an alternative to knee replacement surgery, opioid medications, hyaluronic acid and cortisone injections in select patients. From my experiences, regenerative injections are quite effective and will definitely play a growing role in the evolution of pain management and orthopedic medicine. For more information about Regenerative Injection Therapy, Platelet Rich Plasma, Dr. Dylan W. Krueger, or our East Valley location, please contact us at: 480-648-1534
