Arthritis is a disorder of joints, and osteoarthritis is its most prevalent form. It targets joint cartilage, which protects bones and enables their smooth gliding over each other. In osteoarthritis, the degeneration of cartilage causes the bones in the joints to rub against one another, which causes stiffness and discomfort. It is prominent in the hips and knees. Its multitude of causative factors has raised its global incidence, making it a significant health concern.

While many Osteoarthritis Knee Treatment are available, they cannot repair cartilage and only provide relief from the symptoms. The disorder eventually results in disability, declining the quality of life for several patients. The advent of regenerative medicine has introduced a new approach to conventional treatment modalities. It aims to repair and cause functional recovery instead of slowing disease progression. Stem cell therapy has shown fascinating potential in the field, sparking hope among many.

Osteoarthritis Causes

Breakdown of cartilage is the primary osteoarthritis cause. It can occur owing to various risk factors.

• Age: The aging process naturally deteriorates tissue, including joints, thereby increasing the chances of this disorder.
• Gender: Females are more prone to developing the disorder due to hormonal changes after menopause.
• Genetic Factors: Several genetic variants have been identified that predispose individuals towards osteoarthritis.
• Obesity: Excess weight increases the load on joints, especially in the knees and hips, augmenting the risk of the disorder.
• Injury: Any injury to joints can initiate damage to cartilage or accelerate it.
• Mechanical Stress: In addition to injury, movements during specific jobs or sports can put repetitive stress on joints, accelerating cartilage damage.
• Bone Disorders: Several disorders, such as osteoporosis, rickets, congenital joint disorder, Paget disease, etc., weaken bones, leading to the development of osteoporosis.

When osteoarthritis occurs due to a pre-existing joint abnormality, it is referred to as secondary osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis worsen over time, progressing from mild pain to joint disability. The common symptoms include: 

• Joint pain: Initially mild, pain tends to increase with activity and lessen with rest. 
• Stiffness: A sense of tightness in joints is noticeable, usually after periods of inactivity or early in the morning. 
• Swelling: Inflammation and fluid accumulation may occur around the affected joint. 
• Decreased range of motion: The joint loses flexibility as the disease progresses. 
• Grinding or cracking sounds: Known as crepitus, these occur when bones rub together. 
• Joint deformities: Advanced stages can cause changes in joint shape and alignment. 

As the pain becomes more persistent, it interferes with regular joint movement and daily activities.

Osteoarthritis Knee Treatment

The treatment modalities for osteoarthritis focus on the following:

• Reduce pain and inflammation

• Strengthen muscles

• Preserve the joint function

Therefore, medications typically include pain relievers such as acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids. However, medications are often a part of a holistic plan.

• Exercise: It strengthens muscles and improves joint mobility.
• Lifestyle Modifications: These changes often involve reducing weight, reducing stress on joints, doing low-impact exercises, etc., in order to reduce risk factors.
• Assistive Devices: Braces, insoles, canes, etc., aid in movements and alignment and relieve pressure from joints.
• Diet: Certain nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin D and calcium, affect bone health. Therefore, increasing them naturally in diet or adding them as supplements is often recommended.

The collective effect of the comprehensive treatment plan substantially benefits patients and slows down or manages the disorder. However, as the disorder progresses, patients undergo surgery such as hip/knee joint replacement and osteotomy. Although effective, these options cannot restore the original tissue or its movement, creating a need for a regenerative solution.

Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis Knee Treatment

Stem cells can renew and differentiate into different cell types, granting them the ability to repair tissue damage. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have found enormous applications in this field. They typically convert into bone and cartilage cells. Therefore, MSC administration has become the focus of research. MSC therapy treats knee osteoarthritis in the following ways-

• MSCs repair cartilage by transforming into cartilage cells via the Akt and ERK pathways.

• They suppress inflammation by increasing the levels of TGFβ and IL6, while regulating the COX2 pathway behind pain.

• These cells also alter the immune response by polarizing immune cells towards reparative pathways.

Thus, stem cell injection for osteoarthritis knee treatment can act in a multifaceted manner to induce cartilage repair and combat inflammation—the key pathways behind the disorder. These mechanisms not only slow the disorder but also improve joint function.

In Conclusion

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease causing severe disability as it progresses. Conventional therapies can help control discomfort, but they don't deal with the underlying cause of cartilage loss. Stem cell therapy represents a different approach to osteoarthritis treatment by repairing cartilage and improving its function. Numerous patients have reported measurable pain reduction, increased mobility, and an improved quality of life during clinical trials. The long-term data and standardization of treatment will further develop this therapy into a mainstream non-surgical option for osteoarthritis knee treatment.  Advancells is promoting this therapy with its premium-quality MSCs manufactured in an ISO-certified BSL-2 laboratory.