Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disorder that can affect patient lives significantly. This type of arthritis causes the cartilage in the knee to wear down and eventually bone may grind against bone leading to pain, swelling, and decreased mobility.
In some cases, a partial knee replacement (also called hemiarthroplasty) may be necessary to relieve pain and improve function. However, even after surgery, patients may still experience pain and limitations. Stem cell therapy may present an option for these patients to improve their outcomes from surgery where traditional methods have not been successful.
Stem cell therapy involves transferring stem cells into the knee to act as regenerative agents. These new cells replace existing cells that are impaired or damaged due to previous injury or disease. These cells can redevelop and regenerate into healthy surrounding tissues like tendons, ligaments, and cartilage eventually reducing inflammation and stimulating repair in the joint which can help with pain relief long-term.
The use of stem cell therapy in patients suffering from persistent pain following partial knee replacements has seen promising results so far. Studies done on these types of procedures indicate that increases in comfort level as well as activity levels suggest greater chances of success than other more traditional orthopedic treatments when it comes to managing osteoarthritis on the knee joint.
Researchers looked into the potential of stem cell therapy and other regenerative medicine techniques in a case study, Efficacy and Safety of Expanded Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet-Rich Plasma in Partial Knee Replacement: A Case Report. This article explores the use of regenerative medicine, a promising new treatment approach, to help manage knee pain and slow down the progression of osteoarthritis in patients who have had partial knee replacements.
The Case of a Woman with Knee Pain
A 55-year-old woman had been experiencing knee pain since she was 13 years old. Over the years, she tried various treatments, including knee ligament release and partial knee replacements for both knees. However, her pain continued, and she eventually developed symptoms of osteoarthritis in the other compartments of her knees. To avoid further surgery, the woman chose to try regenerative medicine to treat her symptoms.
Regenerative Medicine Treatment
The woman underwent two different regenerative medicine treatments. First, she received injections of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) into her knees. PRP is made from the patient’s own blood and contains growth factors and proteins that can help with healing. HA is a natural substance found in joints that can improve joint function and provide pain relief. The woman had a reasonable response to this treatment, but she decided to try a more advanced regenerative therapy.
The second treatment involved using the woman’s own fat-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs have the potential to develop into different types of cells, including cartilage cells, and can help promote healing and reduce inflammation. To obtain these MSCs, a small amount of fat was taken from the woman’s abdomen, and the stem cells were isolated and expanded in a laboratory. The expanded MSCs were then combined with PRP and HA and injected into her knees.
Results of the Treatments
The patient experienced great success with the MSC therapy and had dramatic pain relief in her knee. They reported a decrease in their visual analogue scale (VAS) score to 0/10 and were able to carry out daily activities without needing analgesic medication. She was able to move around, climb stairs and even rise from a chair without assistance, feeling more confident in her quadriceps muscles and regaining full motion. Any crepitus she may have previously had was also gone. Despite having to work long hours at a supermarket, the patient developed knee pain once again three years later upon X-ray examination being conducted – which showed no abnormalities.
To continue managing the diagnosis of medial OA, a booster dose consisting of PRP combined with both MSCs and HA was administered. The treatment didn’t result in any complications or infections but successfully assisted with symptom management, improved quality of life whilst preserving joint spaces.
When injecting any type of regenerative solution into an artificial joint it’s recommended that precautions such as post injection prophylactic antibiotic use be taken–although not required when injecting into the native joint. The patient showed no progression in degeneration across other compartments of her joint which meant she could safely proceed with a booster dose instead of opting for total knee replacement surgery. The MSCs can be stored over an extended period of time therefore allowing further treatments if ever needed down the line whilst still guaranteeing safety throughout.
What Does This Mean for Patients with Partial Knee Replacements?
This case suggests that regenerative medicine, including MSCs, PRP, and HA, may be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with partial knee replacements who still experience pain and osteoarthritis in other parts of the knee. These treatments can potentially be repeated multiple times without causing harm.
However, it is important to note that this is just one case, and more research is needed to confirm these findings in larger groups of patients. If you are considering regenerative medicine for your knee pain, talk to your doctor about the potential benefits and risks, and whether this type of treatment might be suitable for you.
Regenerative medicine is a promising new approach to help manage knee pain and slow down the progression of osteoarthritis in patients who have had partial knee replacements. While more research is needed, this case highlights the potential of regenerative therapies like MSCs, PRP, and HA to improve the quality of life for people living with chronic knee pain.
