Dealing with pain is never fun, especially when your choices for relief are so limited. That’s the problem facing individuals with arthritis — including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Whether they experience pain due to an autoimmune disease or because their cartilage wears down over time, stem cell therapy can help heal their condition and reduce their inflammation.

What is arthritis?

Arthritis typically refers to joint inflammation, but the term can apply to more than 200 conditions that impact joints — including the tissues surrounding and connecting the joints. A few of the most common arthritic conditions include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus

What causes arthritis?

The cause of arthritis varies depending on the type of condition involved. Some involve pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling, while others affect multiple organs and cause widespread symptoms. While there is no single cause, possible risks may include:

• Injury, leading to degenerative arthritis
• An abnormal metabolism, such as gout and pseudogout
• Inheritance, including osteoarthritis
• Infections, like Lyme disease
• Immune system dysfunction, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are cells within the body that are usually present in fat, umbilical cords, bone marrow, and bloodstreams. Stem cells used from your own fat are safer than other methods. They reproduce and become other types of tissue to help replace and heal areas impacted by damaged cells more effectively. In addition, they’ll communicate with receptors to reduce inflammation and swelling — the main cause of pain.

By using your own fat and stem cells to repair tissue and cells, you can achieve results not attainable by cells left to their own devices. And, because they’re your own cells:

• Your cells won’t cause a reaction or rejection when given back to you
• Your cells are better at regulating your immune system
• You won’t be exposed to possible genetic and infectious diseases

How does stem cell therapy work?

A specialist starts by removing a piece of fat from the patient — about the size of a thumb. Their fat is put through a centrifuge where it’s concentrated and then added to a solution. The stem cells are then inserted back into the problem area to provide healing. Once inside the body, damaged tissues send out messages telling the stem cells what to do. In return, the stem cells let the body know when it no longer needs to produce swelling and inflammation.

For arthritis, stem cells can assist and provide relief for:

• Knees
• Hips
• Shoulders
• Ankles
• Other joints

What to Expect After Stem Cell Therapy

Harvesting the stem cells takes no more than 15 minutes, and patients are able to go home after the procedure is complete. How quickly patients improve depends on the severity of their condition, but some see relief within a few days. Others see gradual improvements over a couple of months. Your lifestyle can play a crucial piece in progression. To ensure your treatment and recovery go smoothly, you should:

• Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking 24 hours before your treatment
• Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking 48 hours after your treatment
• Take it easy for a few days following the procedure
• Avoid taking baths or soaking underwater for a week following the procedure

Contact Innovations Medical for Stem Cell Therapy

If you have arthritis and are looking for relief, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which stem cell therapy treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 1984, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.

To find out if stem cell therapy is right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.