A Guide to Stem Cell Therapy vs. Joint Replacement Surgery

Whether from arthritis, injury, or another cause, many individuals turn to joint replacement surgery as a way to regain mobility and address pain. Unfortunately, however, these procedures aren’t a guaranteed solution to your joint problems. Although a joint replacement may indeed be necessary in some cases, many practitioners are now offering stem cell therapy as an alternative to invasive procedures. Here’s what you should know if you’re considering stem cell therapy vs. joint replacement surgery.

Possible Reasons to Avoid Joint Replacement Surgery

Most doctors attempt to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery unless necessary. This procedure is a considerable undertaking. Joint replacements are notorious for long recovery periods. For instance, a hip replacement may take up to six months to heal completely, but some joints can take months for a recovery – especially if complications arise. Patients also typically need physical therapy to restore movement in the joint.

Moreover, joint replacements often come with a need for repeat surgeries, as the replacements only last so long. Patients may also find themselves paying significant medical bills depending on what their insurance covers.

Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Issues

Stem cell therapy may prevent or delay the need for joint replacement. The treatment consists of targeted injections at the site of the affected joint. There, the cells trigger the body’s natural healing process, promoting pain relief and potentially improving mobility. While the treatment may not reverse the joint condition, it could offer improvements in discomfort and stiffness, among other symptoms. Plus, the treatment is minimally invasive and requires minimal recovery period.

As with many treatment options, stem cell therapy yields varying results from one patient to the next. Results may take eight weeks to emerge, and depending on degree of injury, additional treatments may be needed, or the option of surgery may be revisited. Stem cells offer an alternative option for those patients who wish to exhaust all possible options before resorting to surgery.

This post was written by Becky Palmer, a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for the joints, also known as stem cell therapy for joints! Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.

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