No more sore knees
A fat-derived stem cell therapy is reportedly being touted as a potential cure for arthritic knees. The therapy supports the regeneration of joint and tendon disease by harvesting adult stem cells from the patient’s own fat – specifically adipose tissue, found in the abdominal region.
A fat-derived stem cell therapy is reportedly being touted as a potential cure for arthritic knees.
Reported by Body and Soul, the therapy supports the regeneration of joint and tendon disease by harvesting adult stem cells from the patient’s own fat – specifically adipose tissue, found in the abdominal region.
The cells are injected into the affected area to replace lost or damaged cells, reducing inflammation and encouraging the repair and regrowth of healthy tissue. Early results indicate the stem cell therapy may lead to cartilage regeneration, delaying the need for joint replacement by 10 or 20 years.
Regenerative medicine company Regeneus has been providing its version, HiQCell, to patients suffering from arthritis for the past year with a success rate exceeding 80%.
The HiQCell treatment takes about an hour, performed while the patient is under oral sedation. About 200 grams of abdominal fat is extracted, similar to a mini liposuction procedure. The stem cells are harvested from the patient’s fat before they’re injected directly into the knee.
The anti-inflammatory effects are almost immediate, with patients reporting their knee feeling more stable and moving more freely just months after the procedure.
What to expect?
The patient will likely experience some pain and bruising from where the liposuction was performed, however this usually lasts between 10 to 14 days.
The treatment costs $9,000 and is not yet covered by Medicare or private health insurance funds.
Am I eligible?
Anyone with ‘seriously degraded’ joints is unlikely to respond significantly to the treatment. If you have symptoms such as knee pain, stiffness or swelling, see your GP.
Do you suffer with sore knees? Share your experiences by commenting below.
