Few things are as painful as joint and tendon issues, and you’re lucky if you make it through life without experiencing at least one or two. Arthritis is the leading cause of pain and disability worldwide, and joint and tendon pain and injuries are extremely common, affecting people of all ages.
Many suffering from these issues believe that pharmaceuticals, surgery, injections, and physical therapy are the only options to heal or manage the symptoms of joint and tendon issues, but regenerative medicine is giving people a more natural approach and is revolutionizing joint and tendon healing.
One of the most popular and effective regenerative medicine treatments available is stem cell therapy, with success rates from recent studies reaching up to 80% for joint repair, autoimmune disorders, and inflammatory conditions.
Although the use of stem cells in medicine isn’t new, it’s only been in recent years that we’ve seen them become more mainstream for supporting healing for musculoskeletal conditions and tendon injuries.
It makes sense that people are choosing a more holistic approach to healing. Who wouldn’t want to encourage their body to use its own ability to heal! But, as with any treatment, be it traditional or holistic, you should do your research.
We hope this article helps you better understand how regenerative medicine works to heal joint pain and tendon injuries and how the stem cell therapy process works so you can make the most informed decision for your health.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
Before diving into what stem cell therapy is, it helps to know what stem cells are and exactly how they function in the body.
Stem cells are the body’s natural repair system. Unlike specialized cells like muscle or skin cells that have a set job, stem cells are unspecialized. This means they have the unique ability to transform into different types of cells based on what the body needs.
Stem cells play a crucial role in healing by repairing damaged tissues and regenerating new, healthy cells. But as we age, our natural supply of stem cells declines, making it harder for the body to recover from injuries and wear and tear.
Additionally, even if you are younger and stem cell production is abundant, when you experience a significant joint or tendon injury or have a musculoskeletal condition, your natural stem cell production might not be enough to effectively repair damaged tissue.
Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge treatment that introduces additional stem cells to help repair and regenerate damaged tissues, potentially achieving a better outcome than relying solely on your body’s own stem cells.
By tapping into the body’s natural healing process, stem cell therapy can potentially reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term recovery from injuries and degenerative conditions.
Stem cell therapy can use either your own stem cells or donor cells, depending on what the clinic offers and what condition is being treated. The most common method involves using donor cells (sometimes referred to as Wharton’s jelly) sourced from perinatal tissues like umbilical cords, donated after healthy births.
We’ll discuss how to ensure the stem cells are safe and what to expect during stem cell therapy a little further down. First, we want to give you more information on how stem cell therapy specifically helps those with joint and tendon healing.
Stem Cell Therapy for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Stem cell therapy is a natural approach that harnesses the body’s own healing potential. It can be used either as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapeutic approaches to address chronic pain and injury.
The most exciting aspect of stem cell therapy is its potential to not mask symptoms but actually repair and regenerate damaged tissue. This means we’re not just talking about a bandaid or temporary relief—we’re looking at the possibility of true healing and long-term recovery.
Stem Cell Therapy For Joint Pain
If there’s one thing most adults have in common, it’s achy joints. Arthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide, costing Americans hundreds of billions of dollars each year in medical expenses and lost earnings.
An estimated 1 in 4 American adults have diagnosed arthritis – and that doesn’t even account for undiagnosed cases and other musculoskeletal conditions. While it’s easy for someone without joint pain to overlook its impact, those who experience it know just how debilitating it can be, making even simple daily activities feel nearly impossible.
Whether it’s caused by arthritis or another source of joint pain, stem cell therapy provides hope for a life with less pain. When introduced to damaged joint tissue, stem cells can potentially:
- Transform into the specific type of cells needed for repair
- Release natural anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce pain and swelling
- Stimulate the production of healthy new tissue to replace damaged areas
- Support the body’s natural healing processes for longer-lasting relief
This innovative approach has shown particular promise for conditions like:
- Arthritis or osteoarthritis in major joints (knees, hips, shoulders)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Degenerative joint disease
- Sports-related joint injuries
- Age-related joint deterioration
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Stem Cell Therapy For Tendon Injuries
People assume the worst injury someone can sustain is a bone break. Yes, a broken bone is a serious injury. However, if you have a tendon sprain or tear, the road to a full recovery is often much longer.
Most people heal in about 4-8 weeks after breaking a bone, but that’s not typically the case with tendons. Tendon injuries can be particularly frustrating because these dense, fibrous tissues typically have poor blood supply, making healing slow and often incomplete.
Depending on the type of tear and injury, it can take many months and sometimes a year or more before you’re healed and fully functioning. It’s not uncommon for people with tendon injuries to have lingering stiffness and loss of joint use. Re-tears can also happen if the injury was severe or the healing process wasn’t optimal.
Whether you’re dealing with tennis elbow, jersey finger, a torn rotator cuff, an Achilles tear, or tendonitis, stem cell therapy offers a holistic approach to tendon healing due to its potential to:
- Accelerate natural healing by providing a concentrated source of regenerative cells
- Reduce inflammation and pain without masking symptoms
- Create new, healthy tendon tissue rather than just scar tissue
- Address both acute injuries and chronic conditions
What makes this treatment especially effective for tendons is its precision – stem cells can be directly introduced to the injured area, where they are believed to:
- Differentiate into new tendon cells (tenocytes)
- Promote the formation of new blood vessels to support healing
- Release growth factors that stimulate tissue repair
- Create a more favorable environment for long-term healing
This approach has shown pretty remarkable results for common tendon issues such as:
- Rotator cuff tears and tendinitis
- Tennis and golfer’s elbow
- Achilles tendonitis
- Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
- Plantar fasciitis
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What To Expect: The Stem Cell Therapy Process for Joints and Tendons
Let’s walk you through what you can typically expect when getting stem cell therapy for joint or tendon issues. Keep in mind that every clinic has its own specific protocols, but here’s a general overview of the process when working with donor stem cells.
The Stem Cell Therapy Process
The exact stem cell therapy process depends on the clinic you visit and the joint or tendon issue you are experiencing. Most regenerative treatment clinics use donor-derived stem cells. Since this is much more common than stem cell therapy where your own stem cells are harvested, that is the process we will explain.
First, you need to book a consultation at a reputable clinic that offers regenerative medicine to determine if you’re a good candidate for stem cell therapy. During this initial evaluation, your healthcare provider will review your medical history, ask questions about your injury or condition, and might also order further tests or suggest you consult with your primary doctor to get a complete picture of what’s going on.
If stem cell therapy is right for you and you book therapy, there might be a few things you are asked to avoid in the days leading up to treatment, such as avoiding alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
The actual donor stem cell treatment is very straightforward.
Your provider will use donor stem cells that have been carefully screened and processed according to strict safety guidelines—or they should. In the next section, we’ll discuss some very important safety precautions and questions to consider asking your clinic before undergoing stem cell therapy.
During treatment, the donor cells are injected directly into or near the problem area. The whole procedure usually takes less than an hour, and most people find it painless (no more uncomfortable than getting a flu shot.)
How many stem cell treatments you need depends on your specific condition and how your body responds. Most people start with one treatment and evaluate their progress over the next few months. Some might see great results with one treatment, while others benefit from a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart.
Downtime and Recovery
One of the best things about stem cell therapy is that you can go home and resume most of your usual routine right after treatment. Other than some temporary redness, swelling, or minor discomfort in the treatment area, you shouldn’t have side effects that set you back from your normal activities in any way.
You will be provided with post-care instructions. These can vary but might include things such as avoiding direct sun exposure, not using specific skin care products, and avoiding certain activities for a short period following treatment. That is typically the extent of any downtime or recovery.
Healing Timeline (when to expect results and how long relief will last)
While stem cell therapy shows impressive promise, it’s not a magical overnight fix. Healing sorta happens on its own schedule. While some people notice improvements within a few weeks, most people notice the most significant effects over 2-6 months as the stem cells do their work.
During this time, here is an example of what you might experience:
- The first few weeks: An initial reduction in inflammation and pain
- 1-2 months: Gradual increase in mobility and function
- 3-6 months: Continued improvement as new tissue develops
Unfortunately, there isn’t a black-and-white answer as to how long you will experience the benefits of stem cell therapy. Everyone responds differently, and factors like your overall health, age, and the severity of your condition play a significant role in both short and long-term results.
That said, some research suggests that success rates of stem cell therapy for joint issues is long-lasting. For example, a 2021 review published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research found that patients receiving donor stem cell treatments for knee osteoarthritis showed significant improvements in pain and function that lasted up to two years post-treatment.
The key is having realistic expectations and understanding that healing is a process. Some people notice results after just one treatment, while others need to come in for a series of treatments and/or periodic follow-up treatments.
Advancements in Stem Cell Therapy for Musculoskeletal Conditions
While you may have only heard them talked about in more recent years, the discovery of stem cells and research into treating a variety of medical issues, including musculoskeletal conditions, isn’t new. Stem cell research has intrigued biologists and clinicians for over a century, dating back to the late 19th century, when German researchers first used the term “stem cell” to describe cells involved in reproduction and blood formation.
Then, in 1956, a major milestone occurred: the first successful bone marrow transplant, which demonstrated stem cells’ potential in treating diseases. This breakthrough highlighted the possibilities for future treatments and paved the way for the stem cell therapies available today.
Since then, research roadblocks and political debates have delayed progress, which means a lot of newer stem cell research is still in the early stages. This has left us with a puzzle where some pieces are there, but others are still missing. But through continued research, we’re constantly discovering new pieces that help us understand the bigger picture, leading to more ways stem cells can be used for healing.
For instance, some research suggests that certain stem cells might work better for cartilage repair than others, while others might be better at tendon healing. This could eventually lead to even more personalized treatments.
Another fascinating area of discovery is how stem cells do more than just replace damaged tissue. Research suggests they may also have the potential to produce special proteins and growth factors that create an environment where healing can thrive.
Researchers are also studying combining stem cell therapy with other treatments, with promising developments on how specific exercise programs or specialized proteins might help stem cells work even better.
But what’s really encouraging is how research is expanding beyond treating symptoms. There is now a focus on understanding how we can use stem cells to prevent further tissue damage and slow down the aging process in our joints and tendons.
Of course, it’s important to remember that while there’s lots of promising research happening, it will take time for these findings to be thoroughly tested and verified. But what we do know is that the field is evolving, and new discoveries are being made all the time. Treatments will likely become even more refined and successful as we learn more about how stem cells work and how to use them more effectively.
We also hear success stories every day from people who have used stem cell therapy with great success. For anyone dealing with joint or tendon issues, these advancements offer hope—and we’re not talking about just temporary relief. Stem cells have the potential to offer real, lasting solutions.
Important Donor Stem Cell Therapy Safety Considerations
Donor stem cells should undergo rigorous processing and testing to ensure they meet safety and quality standards before being used in treatment. So, if you’re considering stem cell therapy using donor cells, it is vital that you investigate the source and quality of the stem cells used.
Only receive treatment from a reputable, licensed clinic specializing in regenerative medicine. To ensure you’re getting a safe and effective treatment, ask your provider these key questions:
- Where are the stem cells sourced from?
- Is the lab processing the cells FDA-registered and accredited?
- Do they conduct third-party testing for safety and quality?
- Can they provide a certificate of analysis for the stem cell product?
- What experience does the clinician have with stem cell therapy?
- Is the clinic licensed and accredited?
- What protocols are in place for patient safety?
- Can they share patient testimonials or references?
Also, you should be skeptical of anyone who rushes you into treatment or offers services without proper evaluation. Consideration of stem cell therapy should always begin with a thorough consultation that includes reviewing your medical history, discussing potential risks, and clear expectations.
Taking The Next Step: Where to Find a Trusted Regenerative Medicine Clinic Near You
Living with joint or tendon pain can affect every aspect of daily life, and tendon injuries are amongst the most difficult to heal.
If you’ve been searching for solutions that don’t involve medications or invasive surgeries or want to explore conjunctive therapies that might help boost what you are currently doing to find relief, it’s worth considering regenerative medicine solutions.
Of course, more research is needed to fully understand its potential, but the field of regenerative medicine keeps moving forward. What we’re learning about stem cell therapy for musculoskeletal conditions is pretty exciting, and our patients’ success stories are truly remarkable.
We understand you might have questions or concerns about trying something new. We would love to take the time to understand your unique situation, explain your options, and develop a plan that makes sense for you.
If you are ready to explore regenerative medicine, visit our clinic locator to find a Relive Health near you and let us help you reclaim the active, pain-free life you deserve.
