Lipogems

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis...

What isOsteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It is caused by the degradation of a joint’s cartilage. Cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers and cushions the ends of bones in normal joints. Its main function is to reduce friction in the joints and serve as an intermediary or cushion.

 Where do stem cells come from and how do they work?

1Stem cells are the natural premature cells that replace older cells as they age and decay. MSCs (Mesenchymal Stem Cells) are obtained from the abdominal fat and concentrated in a centrifuge. Then they are drawn up in a syringe for injection into the problem spots using ultrasound to guide the needle to accurate placement of the stem cells. Stem cells can modulate the immune response of individuals and positively influence the microenvironment of the stem cells already present in the diseased tissue. Through direct cell-cell interaction or the secretion of various molecules in the Cytokine family called growth factors and interleukins, stem cells can initiate endogenous (grow from within) regenerative activities in the osteoarthritic joint.

Mesenchymal stem cells are very special healing tools in that they have the ability to self-renew and differentiate between the types of cells to treat age-related disorders that involve more than one tissue, such as degenerative joint diseases and arthritis or damage to joint tissues such as cartilage, bone, ligament, tendon or muscle. With stem cell therapy you are harnessing the natural power of stem cells to regenerate healthy tissue and injecting them where the healing is needed.

2Cartilage and joint structures lack a rich blood supply so damage often doesn’t heal. This treatment harnesses you body’s current mechanisms to heal damaged tissue and puts it where it’s needed most. Live ultrasound guidance ensures stems cells are administered with pin point accuracy.

Many times Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP (is a rich source of growth factors) may be combined with stem cells. The growth factors in the PRP help direct the stem cell activity. If you think of Stems Cells as the seeds, Platelet Rich Plasma would be the fertilizer.

 

 

Can an OptimumJoint traditional or regenerative medical procedure help me? To find out if you might be a candidate for an OptimumJoint medical treatment procedure, complete our Optimum Joint Procedure Candidate Form online.