Knee Stem Cell Treatment

What is Knee Calcification?

Knee osteoarthritis is commonly referred to as “knee osteoarthritis” and usually occurs as a result of the natural wear of joint cartilage as we age. This wear can limit the movement of the joint and cause pain. Traditional treatment methods include physical therapy, weight loss, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. However, in recent years, stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential alternative.

Stem Cell Applications in the Knee and Use of Stem Cells in the Orthopedic Field

One of the most interesting cells of the body is undoubtedly stem cells. These cells are known for their ability to differentiate into many other cell types, and this capacity can be described by the terms “pluripotent” or “totipotent.” The regions where stem cells are found are diverse in the body, and these cells play a critical role in the body’s natural repair and reconstruction processes throughout life.

Consider that many of our organs and tissues need constant renewal. For example, it is known that the cells in our skin are frequently renewed, our blood cells are constantly produced, and our liver reconstructs itself over a period of time. This continuous cycle depends largely on the presence and activity of stem cells.

Stem cells can potentially differentiate into a wide variety of cell types. For example, a stem cell can develop into a muscle cell, nerve cell or bone cell when necessary. These properties enable them to replace damaged or dysfunctional cells and thus maintain the functions of tissues and organs.

This unique capacity has caused stem cells to become the focus of medical research. Their restructuring and repair abilities offer great potential, especially for the treatment or regrowth of damaged tissues.

Especially in the field of orthopedics, it is thought that stem cells can play an important role in the repair of tissues such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments. The use of stem cells, especially in the treatment of chronic joint disorders such as osteoarthritis, contributes to the expansion of treatment options in this field.

In conclusion, the regeneration and repair potential offered by stem cells is a great opportunity for medical science. A better understanding and effective use of these cells could revolutionize the treatment of many diseases in the future.

Obtaining and Using Stem Cells

Stem cells are special cells that are naturally found in the body of living things. Although the number and activity of these cells decrease over time, they continue to support the body’s regeneration processes by concentrating in certain areas. So where are these valuable cells obtained and used?

Certain organs and tissues are areas where stem cells are concentrated. Among these areas, bone marrow and adipose tissue are the most notable. These two tissues are used as stem cell sources for orthopedics and other medical applications.

Bone Marrow and Stem Cell: Bone marrow is the area in the body where stem cells are richest. Removing stem cells from this area is usually performed under local or general anesthesia by accessing the pelvis through a special needle. The bone marrow sample taken contains both stem cells and other blood components. This sample is processed with special laboratory devices, unwanted components are separated and a solution in which stem cells are concentrated is obtained.

Adipose Tissue and Stem Cells: Adipose tissue is another region where stem cells are abundant. In order to remove these cells from the fat tissue, some fat tissue is usually taken from the patient’s abdomen or hip area under local or general anesthesia. This taken fat tissue is processed under laboratory conditions, stem cells are isolated and turned into a dense liquid.

Stem Cell Therapy Application in Knee Joint

The knee is one of the most important joints of the body with its complex structure and function. Problems may arise in the knee due to trauma, wear and joint diseases experienced over the years. Stem cell therapy is an innovative treatment method that has come to the fore in recent years for abrasions and injuries in the knee.

Suitability for Stem Cell Treatment: There are some issues that need to be taken into consideration in order to apply stem cell treatment. First, the wear on the knee should not be too advanced. For advanced wear, surgical methods, especially knee prosthesis, are generally a more suitable treatment option. Additionally, evaluating the patient’s other orthopedic problems before starting treatment and treating them if necessary increases the chance of success.

Treatment Procedure: Stem cell therapy in the knee is applied in a sterile environment, usually under operating room conditions. The anesthesia method is determined depending on the general condition of the patient, the complexity of the treatment process and other procedures to be performed simultaneously. Although it is generally performed under local anesthesia, if additional surgical interventions such as meniscus tear are required, spinal or general anesthesia may be preferred.

Stem cells are obtained from the patient’s fatty tissue or bone marrow. As a result of special processing, a stem cell-rich solution is prepared and this solution is injected directly into the patient’s knee joint.

Aftermath and Recovery: After the procedure, patients are usually discharged immediately. Since there is no incision or stitching after the injection, there is no need for additional procedures such as dressing or stitch removal. However, it is recommended that patients avoid heavy physical activity for several weeks.

Appropriate Time for Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Joint

Stem cell therapy is based on the use of stem cells, which are known for their regeneration and repair capacity. This treatment stands out as a potential option for joints with complex structures such as the knee joint. However, there are certain criteria as to whether stem cell therapy is effective for each patient and at each stage.

Stem cell therapy may offer a potential solution in the early stages of cartilage wear in the knee. However, if there is an underlying cause for the wear or injury on the knee, such as leg curvature, meniscus root tear or ligament insufficiency, stem cell application alone will usually not be sufficient without treating these problems. In such cases, surgical treatment of the relevant problem followed by stem cell therapy may produce more successful results.

In knee joint wear, correct timing is critical for the success of stem cell treatment. In early and middle stage patients, stem cell therapy may be recommended after appropriate evaluation and examinations. But for patients in advanced stages, this treatment is often not effective. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of knee wear provides the best outcome for patients.

Knee Joint and the Effect of Stem Cell Treatment

Stem cell therapy is an advanced treatment method that works by supporting the body’s natural repair processes. In this treatment approach, the use of stem cells with differentiation ability plays an important role in repairing damaged tissues.

Source of Stem Cells: In stem cell applications in the knee joint, stem cells obtained from various sources such as bone marrow and abdominal fat tissue are used. These cells are transformed into pure stem cells by going through special processes before being applied to the damaged area.

Mechanism of Effect: When the applied stem cells are injected into the target area, they direct to the damaged tissues or cells there. These cells respond by receiving signals from cells in the damaged area. With this response, they begin to differentiate according to the type of damaged tissue. For example, in cartilage damage, stem cells turn into cartilage tissue and support the repair process.

Tissue Repair: Stem cells proliferate to repair damaged tissue in the area and produce new tissue. This process occurs when stem cells integrate into the target tissue and interact with tissue cells. Stem cells in the knee joint take an active role in the repair of cartilage tissue, helping to reduce damage and improve function over time.

Stem cell therapy offers an innovative approach to the management of knee joint injuries. Thanks to the differentiation capacity of the cells, it is aimed to repair damaged tissue and improve joint function. However, it should be noted that the success of this treatment may vary depending on the patient’s general health, the degree of damage and the quality of the stem cells administered.

How Long Does Knee Stem Cell Treatment Take?

Patients may usually need a few hours of rest after the procedure. Patients with good general health can return home within 5-6 hours after treatment. However, this period may vary depending on the treatment applied, the patient’s general health condition and the doctor’s recommendations.