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Treatment for Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knees

Affecting 27 million Americans, the most common form of arthritis is Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) may sometimes be referred to as degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis. OA is symptomized by inflammation, decreased mobility, and chronic pain. Areas of the body most commonly affected include feet, knees, hips, spine, and wrists. Areas of the body less commonly affected include shoulders, elbows, and ankles. Occasionally, the small joints on the fingers and toes (especially the thumb and big toe) are affected as well. Although no cure exists at this time, the condition is generally considered manageable by maintaining a healthy lifestyle (at or underweight), staying active, and using pharmacological intervention for pain.

The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. The knee joins the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). The smaller bone that runs alongside the tibia (fibula) and the kneecap (patella) are the other bones that make the knee joint. Tendons connect the knee bones to the leg muscles that move the knee joint. Ligaments join the knee bones and provide stability to the knee. Two C-shaped pieces of cartilage called the medial and lateral menisci act as shock absorbers between the femur and tibia.

Since the cartilage that normally provides a smooth surface for movement of the knee has eroded, bones may break down and develop painful growths, called spurs. It is also common for chips of bone and cartilage to break off and float aimlessly within the joint. During the inflammatory stage, certain proteins and enzymes are released that further damage the cartilage at the joint. During the final stages of OA, the cartilage completely wears away, leaving the joint with bone-on-bone contact. Continuous bone-on-bone contact will increase joint damage and pain, potentially causing lifelong non-repairable damage.

There are also surgical and non-surgical solutions to managing the symptoms of this condition. It is common for orthopedic physicians to recommend joint replacement procedures for degenerative joint conditions, but recent studies in regenerative medicine have shown that there could be a superior alternative to surgery. We believe that alternative is acCELLerate™ Therapy – a powerful combination of your own plasma, platelets, and stem cells. This exciting procedure uses advanced real-time medical imaging to guide an injection of your regenerative cells directly into the damaged joint. The ordeal is relatively painless, requires no anesthesia, and will allow you to return to work after the process is complete.

Although OA occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is most common in people older than 65. Common risk factors include increasing age, obesity, previous joint injury, overuse of the joint, weak thigh muscles, and genes.

  • One in two adults will develop symptoms of knee OA during their lives.
  • One in four adults will development symptoms of hip OA by age 85.
  • One in 12 people 60 years or older have hand OA.

If you or someone you know is suffering with joint pain associated with Osteoarthritis, come see us at Denver Regenerative Medicine for a free consultation to find out how Stem Cell TherapyPRP, and acCELLerate™ can help. Stop suffering in silence – call (720) 583-1648 to schedule now!

By |2023-04-18T18:59:30+00:00March 21st, 2016|acCELLerate™ Therapy, Health and Fitness, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Therapy|Comments Off on Treatment for Osteoarthritis (OA) of the Knees