Stem Cells Help Fight Osteoarthritis
Conclusion of recent study involving mesenchymal stem cells in arthritic knees is promising for patients hoping to avoid joint replacement surgery! Here is a quote from the article.
"In summary, intra-articular injection of 1.0 3 108 AD MSCs into the osteoarthritic knee improved function and pain of the knee joint without causing adverse events. Radiological, arthroscopic, and histological measures consistently demonstrated decreased of articular cartilage defects by regeneration of hyaline-like articular cartilage. These results are promising to encourage large randomized clinical trials, and we are cautiously optimistic about this new step for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee."
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a group of mechanical abnormalities involving degradation of joints, including articular cartilage and subchondral bone. It is also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Symptoms of Osteoarthritis may include joint pain, tenderness, stiffness, locking, and sometimes an effusion. When bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, bone may be exposed and damaged. As a result of decreased movement secondary to pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become more lax.
How can stem cells help fight arthritis?
Stem cell injection therapy has been demonstrated to induce profound healing activity in animals with various forms of arthritis. It has been shown in early studies to reverse cartilage damage, making it very promising for the future of osteoarthritis treatment. Besides the healing of damaged tissues, stem cells have the unique ability to modulate the immune system, shutting off pathological responses while preserving ability to fight off disease.
