What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease, the cause of osteoarthritis is rooted in wear and tear on the cartilage (the smooth, protective tissue in a joint that absorbs shock at the ends of the bones). As the disease progresses, cartilage thins or disappears and the bones rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness. As the breakdown of the tissues starts, the disease can affect also the tendons, ligaments, or the synovium.

Osteoarthritis can affect anyone. It is certainly more common with age, but younger people may be affected through injury or genetic predisposition. Obesity, overuse of repetitive movements and family history will also be factors leading to the disease.

The most commonly affected joints include knees, hips neck, hands, and back, but it ultimately can affect any joint.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis can affect people differently. Some can experience mild symptoms, while it may be the cause of significant disability for others. Symptoms usually develop over time but can progress rapidly too. Typical symptoms include:

• Pain: It is the most common symptom. It starts intermittently, improving with rest, but as the condition progresses it may become constant.
• Stiffness: As cartilage deteriorates, joints lose flexibility and range of motion.
• Swelling: Bones are not meant to touch each other. This is why tissues around the bones become inflamed.
• Sounds: Cracking or grating when moving the joint, caused by the roughened surfaces of the bones.
• Deformities: Small bone growths can form and produce changes in its shape.

How is it traditionally treated?

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, and treatments are focused on managing the symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. This will normally be achieved via medications like pain relievers and non-steroid anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint and improve flexibility, and surgery in cases where the damage is extensive and requires complete replacement or realignment.

What can stem cells do to help with osteoarthritis?

Stem cells are special cells that have the ability to originate any other type of cell in the body, replace those cells that die, and propitiate the regeneration of damage caused by illness, trauma or aging. In the treatment of osteoarthritis, their employment has had very positive results. In fact, patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis did not have many options except to live with their disease until it reached the stage of needing surgical replacement of the entire joint. Now, this therapy can provide alternatives to lead a better quality of life and preserve your own joint.

The stem cells are injected directly into the affected joint, where they promote cartilage repair and reduce inflammation. This treatment leads to significant improvements in pain and overall joint mobility.

At Iuvenis Clinic, we use stem cells derived from the Wharton’s jelly found in umbilical cords, which are potent and safe, ideal for treatments such as this. They present high levels of anti-inflammatory properties and the highest potential to stimulate healing. We pair the cells with exosomes to promote the formation of blood vessels within the bone tissue and make the local environment as propitious as possible for the regeneration of new cartilage. Your treatment will be performed under the strictest medical protocols to ensure your safety.