HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Is Stem Cell Surgery Advisable For Severe Loss Of Cartilage In Knee?

Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015

Question: I'm a 54 year old woman who is obese. I have severe cartilage loss in both my knees. It is worse in my right knee; and as such the gait has slightly shifted meaning that the foot extends out. I have been taking glucosamine and chondroitin tablets for 5 years. I would like to know what medications I should take to regenerate cartilage, whether it is good to go for ultrasound treatment or stem cell surgury?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is good to go for stem cell therapy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query,

Beside glucosamine and chondrotin sulfate, you can take MSM (Methyl sulfonyl methane).
Stem cell therapy for cartilage regeneration is good and can be used for the regeneration and maintenance of articular cartilage.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (9 hours later)

Will stem cell therapy work as I'm 54 years old? What is the best for stem cell extraction - bone marrow or blood? Where could I do this procedure?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Patient with multiple medical issue may not be good candidates.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Age is not a contraindication to the procedure.Stem cell injections are advised for moderate osteoarthritis in knee. Patient with multiple medical issue like low vit D, hypothyroidism, diabetes, smoker may not be good candidates.
Bone marrow and adipose tissue are the two sources of stem cells that are frequently used.
In XXXXXXX this procedure is done in National centre of cell science XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (26 hours later)

I have read that Articular Cartilage does not regenerate. So how could stem cell surgery achieve this?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (22 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Regenerate tissue as close to articular cartilage

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Stem cell does not regenerate articular cartilage. They regenerate the tissue that is as close to normal articular cartilage as possible.

Warm regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Saurabh Gupta (7 hours later)

Since stem cell surgery is a new field and as such not much research has been done - will there be any drawbacks, side effects, etc as a result in the future? How does it compare with knee replacement?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (26 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Knee replacement is better option.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Stem cell therapy is beneficial in moderate osteoarthritis. It is not very effective in severe osteoarthritis. Knee replacement is better option.

Warm regards.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj