Athletes and Knee Stem Cell Therapy
The question patients are asking is when the traditional Sports Medicine treatments do not diminish chronic knee pain and debility, what can be done?
Stem Cell Therapy may provide an option allowing the continuation of sports participation, or the ability to resume a professional sports career. Dennis M. Lox, M.D., an expert in Sports and Regenerative Medicine, comments that as our understanding of cartilage breakdown, inflammation and the healing response has expanded, newer medical models such as Stem Cell Therapy may provide the answers to treatment of patients and athletes with knee ailments.
Cartilage breakdown, previously thought to be result from chronic wear and tear, is now understood to be more complex. It is now known that genetics, repetitive trauma, biomechanics (weight) and prior surgery are involved in the progression of joint arthritis (osteoarthritis).
The future of Regenerative Medicine in reference to osteoarthritis development of these factors on the development of osteoarthritis may employ preventative treatment and screening to modify the degenerative course over time. The role of Stem Cell Therapy will be an important treatment strategy that may slow down or halt the aging of the joint, this leading to longer sports participation. Professional sports careers that are often cut short by early knee arthritis may be maintained by modulating the rate of progression of osteoarthritis.
Stem cells Therapy may exert a therapeutic effect through several mechanisms. Stem cells can diminish inflammation via an immunomodulatory effect. Cytokine regulation may modify negative cell signaling and promote positive signaling towards repair and healing, this favoring a regenerative process. These factors are all favorable for maintaining sports participation and a prolonged sports career.