Will stem cells help with arthritis of the knee?

No: At this point, there is no evidence that stem cells can revert the cartilage cell death that results in arthritis of the knee. There are cartilage restoring procedures ("filling pot holes") that theoretically uses your own cells to grow cartilage or cartilage like substances, but the function of this cartilage is still inferior to your own native one.

No: Arthitis is not simply the lost of cartilage, but also involves the sclerosis (hardening) of the bone under it. We can clone cartilage cells to make more of them, so we don't need something like stem cells which would do a similar function. We also need a way to reverse the changes in the underlying bone to make it more receptive to holding the cartilage on it. You can't grow grass on concrete.

No: There are no current arthritis treatments that use stem cells.

Yes: Use of adult mesenchymal stem-stromal cells (mscs) are currently in clinical trial in us/internationally. Trend is toward use of fat derived mscs, havested by liposuction, isolated and concentrated in tissue culture. Early reports suggest significant improvement in neurological, autoimmune and organ functions. Combining with platelet concentrates, ortho med mds have shown significant improvement.

Yes: I respectfully disagree. I know from my own clinical experience that it is successful in a large number of patients. It is still evolving as to patient selection and optimization of treatment. Dr. Chris centeno has provided the scientific community with a rather large volume of evidence that they work clinically. Hat's off to you, dr. Centeno!

It's Possible: Check out Regenexx.Com. The have the single largest registry in the country of patients with degenerative joint disease that have used their stem cell procedures with good outcomes. Obviously not everyone gets better, but a majority have found the ability to forego knee surgery.

Yes: The major effect of stem cell is the decrease in pain and not necessarily to grow cartilage. That was the thought many years ago but we now know stem cells have significant signaling effect which is more critical than developing into cartilage cells. There are also many critical steps in the process and also how to optimize the body so it is critical to get treated by a specialist with training.