What less invasive treatments are available for knee pain?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mum is 67 years old and has bad osteoarthritis in both knees. She has attempted PRP treatment, physiotherapy and steroid injections but the pain is still so bad it prevents her sleeping and makes her limp.Recently a friend recommended stem cell therapy as it helped his father avoid or delay a knee replacement surgery.

We want to find out if the benefits of this drug are hyped or if it actually works.If there are less invasive or more natural options to treat the pain that are safe and suitable, my mother would want to explore that because she is nervous about surgery. Are there any known hazards or anything to consider for someone her age with mild hypertension?

Thank you for your time and advice.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I read your query and understand your concern.

Knee osteoarthritis can be very challenging, particularly as it begins to affect sleep and daily function.Stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis remains an experimental treatment and not an established evidence-based treatment option.Early studies suggest injecting stem cells may ease pain and improve function in a joint. This might be because of anti-inflammatory effects and limited cartilage repair.

But the results vary widely some patients experience significant relief, while others experience little or no benefit. Therefore, it cannot be regarded as a reliable alternative to the knee replacement surgery.Clinics can use stem cells from bone marrow or from adipose tissue. Often, these cells are mixed with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

It should be noted that these things are usually done in private places, and the level of regulation and standardisation can vary a lot depending on the service provider and area.In your mother’s case, mild hypertension is usually not an additional significant risk for this type of minimally invasive operation. But, like any injection, there are some dangers, such as 1. The potential for infection,2. Brief increase in pain or swelling, and3. Possibility of different results. Cost is also a big factor. Many times, these therapies are not covered by insurance and can end up being expensive.

She needs to see either an orthopaedic specialist or a rheumatologist to decide what to do. They can help you determine if she could be a good candidate and point you toward reputable clinics or clinical trials if relevant. All conservative management options, including physiotherapy, weight control, medications, and supporting devices, should also be discussed, as these can sometimes provide considerable relief of symptoms.

Stem cell therapy might help some people eventually, but it’s not proven or recommended yet. With the help of her doctor, she can think through the best and safest way forward. Hope that takes care of your concerns. Please do not hesitate to follow up if you need any further clarifications.

I hope this addresses your concerns.

Thank you.