Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative, progressive disease resulting in cartilage degeneration, osteophytes, and loss of joint function. Why doesn’t cartilage in knee joints self-repair similar to a cut on your hand or a broken bone? Why can’t our body repair damaged knee cartilage before it gets thinner and thinner, eventually leading to denuded areas of bone on bone arthritis?

The simple reason is that knee joints do not have adequate circulation. There is no artery inside any joint. Cartilage gets oxygen and nutrients that diffuse or dissolve tissue fluid from the underlying bones. This circulation is enough to keep it alive but is not adequate to repair the damage with trauma, repetitive use, and aging. Over time and after trauma, our joint cartilage starts to wear out, sometimes slowly over the years and sometimes very quickly over a few months.

The meniscus is one of the most susceptible areas of the knee to degeneration and tearing. Surgeries and arthroscopic procedures are very common treatments for meniscus tears, however, the verdict is in. Medical studies have now proven beyond any doubt that most surgeries and arthroscopic procedures for meniscus problems are absolutely no better than conservative, non-operative treatment. Yet meniscus surgery continues to be one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the country. Why? Because it’s lucrative for the doctor and insurance companies pay for it. Stem cell therapy for a torn meniscus can be just as beneficial with none of the risk, expense, prolonged recovery, and morbidity of a surgical procedure.

The meniscus is one of the most susceptible areas of the knee to degeneration and tearing. Surgeries and arthroscopic procedures are very common treatments for meniscus tears, however, the verdict is in. Medical studies have now proven beyond any doubt that most surgeries and arthroscopic procedures for meniscus problems are absolutely no better than conservative, non-operative treatment. Yet meniscus surgery continues to be one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the country. Why? Because it’s lucrative for the doctor and insurance companies pay for it. Stem cell therapy for a torn meniscus can be just as beneficial with none of the risk, expense, prolonged recovery, and morbidity of a surgical procedure.

Stem Cell Therapy for ACL Tears and Strains
Stem Cell Therapy for PCL Tears and Strains
Stem Cell Therapy for LCL Tears and Strains
Stem Cell Therapy for MCL Tears and Strains

Stem cell therapy has proven to be so successful for ligament damage in knees, that many professional athletes have now chosen it as their standard of care for knee injury treatment. One thing to be aware of is most people who undergo surgery for knee ligament tears go on to develop arthritis in that same knee years later, so avoiding surgery is important if possible. An MRI or ultrasound exam will provide a good prognostic indicator to determine the severity of the ligament tear or strain.

So called ‘Jumper’s Knee’ results from repeated high impact stress on the patellar tendon. Stem cell therapy has been proven to heal tears and sprains in this tendon, allowing patients to resume their previous level of activity. The recovery is quick and the treatment is safer than cortisone shots.