Stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for knee injuries. People who are suffering from an injured knee joint or having a degenerative joint due to osteoarthritis may make fabulous candidates for stem cell therapy.
Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide stem cell therapy for knee injuries to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and other cities and neighborhoods around this magnificent city in America.
Advantages
Stem cell injection procedure is completely non-surgical and involves the use of the patient’s own stem cells to help the healing process of the injured or degenerated knee joints. The procedure can be completed in a single day and may serve as a viable alternative for patients who are facing the prospect of knee surgery or even knee joint replacement.
Unlike surgery, stem cell therapy involves minimal recovery, and patients are typically able to return to their normal routine quickly after the procedure. The painful and lengthy rehabilitation periods associated with knee surgery are avoided. The strength, mobility and range of motion of the knee joint is restored in a more natural manner.
Another benefit of stem cell therapy is that it minimizes the risks that are typically associated with a knee surgery, such as infection and blood clots. People who are not good candidates for surgery due to an underlying medical condition may still receive stem cell therapy with safe outcomes.
Advanced Techniques
Advanced techniques available in modern medicine enable the surgeon to withdraw the required amount of stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow, concentrate them through an efficient lab process, and then re-inject them precisely into the injured knee tissue employing advanced imaging guidance.
Imaging techniques such as Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy help the surgeon to ensure that the stem cells are delivered into the exact area of need. As the stem cells are introduced into the site, they help trigger the natural repair mechanism of degenerated and injured arthritic joints and injured tendons and ligaments. This reverses the natural breakdown process that may have occurred in the knee joint due to injury, overuse or aging.
Source of Stem Cells
The human body has a store of stem cells that are utilized for repairing injured and degenerated tissue when required. New medical techniques have made it simple to retrieve these cells for therapeutic purposes. The stem cells are present in reserve in the marrow cavity of the bones, which makes it convenient to harvest them from the back of the hip area or the iliac bone.
Procedure
Once the bone marrow blood is drawn, it will be sent through a centrifugal process in a lab to concentrate and purify the stem cells. The concentrated part will be employed to help heal the knee injury. The surgeon will usually complete the injection process by hand and customize it according to the specific nature of the knee injury or degeneration of tissue.
Concentrated platelets may also be injected into the injury site to release growth factors and activate the stem cells. Judicious and impressive board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and nearby areas for stem cell therapy.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.