When a doctor says you may need knee replacement surgery, it can be a lot to take in. Knee replacement surgery can be expensive, painful and require an extensive recovery period. Physical therapy can add more to the financial and time commitment to the procedure as well. Dr. Herskowitz and other doctors around the country are working on alternatives to knee replacement surgery using stem cell therapy.
Knee Osteoarthritis Is a Common Problem
Knee osteoarthritis affects more than 3 million Americans each year. There’s no cure, but treatment can help minimize pain and continued damage to the joints. Some common treatments include:
- Medications such as anti-inflammatories, analgesics, supplements and pain medications
- Physical therapy including hydrotherapy and even acupuncture
- Lifestyle changes such as weight loss, low-impact exercise routines and using ice on the affected knee
- Surgery including arthroscopic surgery or full joint replacement
Knee Replacement Surgery
There are two types of surgery commonly used to treat knee osteoarthritis. The first is arthroscopic surgery, which involves removing damaged cartilage and cleaning and flushing the knee to remove any bone or cartilage debris that could be the cause of pain. This type of surgery is typically conducted as a short-term solution to avoid the more invasive replacement surgery.
When all options have been exhausted, many doctors turn to knee replacement surgery. This surgery removes all or part of the knee joint and replaces it with an artificial joint made of metal or plastic. Recovery can be extensive, but usually patients who choose this option are already living in extreme pain on a daily basis.
Stem Cells Treatment for Knee Pain
One avenue many patients are missing is the use of stem cells to avoid surgery. Regenerative therapy such as stem cell therapy works to help the knee heal itself using the patient’s own stem cells. For more information or to find out if you’re a candidate for stem cell treatment for knee pain, call Dr. Herskowitz at the San Francisco Stem Cell Treatment Center at 1-800-318-6006.