Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain can result from overuse, sudden injuries, or underlying conditions. Some
of the most common causes include:
- Osteoarthritis: A degenerative condition that is particularly common as we age, leading to cartilage wear and joint inflammation.
- Injuries: Sudden injuries such as sprains, tears (e.g., ACL or meniscus), or fractures can cause immediate knee pain and long-term issues.
- Overuse: Repetitive stress from physical activity or certain occupations can strain the knee joint and surrounding tissues, leading to pain.
- Post-Surgery Complications: Knee pain may also arise after surgery, particularly if there are complications or prolonged recovery periods.
Symptoms of knee pain often include swelling, redness, stiffness, and difficulty moving the joint.
Treatment Options for Knee Pain
Until recently, knee pain was often managed through surgery. While surgery may still be necessary in some cases, there are now effective non-surgical alternatives available.
Many patients have successfully used adult stem cells, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), or umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) to avoid surgery and reduce pain. These therapies are minimally invasive and can promote healing by stimulating tissue repair and reducing inflammation.
At Bangkok Stem Cells, we offer a range of regenerative treatments to address knee pain, tailored to each patient's unique condition. Our treatments are clinically proven to improve outcomes, reduce pain, and enhance recovery, offering patients a non-surgical path to better knee health.
Inflammation
Injuries can produce inflammation where soft tissues, such as ligaments and tendons, attach to bone. This inflammation often results from mechanical injuries, bone spurs (osteophytes), or excess fluid accumulation in the knee. Swelling is typically more noticeable after extended periods of inactivity.
Knee pain can make everyday activities, like walking or climbing stairs, challenging. As a common site for chronic tissue degeneration, the knee is vulnerable to moderate to severe pain, stiffness, and swelling, often making it difficult to bend or perform simple tasks. Unfortunately, many individuals eventually turn to surgery, including partial or total knee replacements, for relief.
At Bangkok Stem Cells, we offer a range of orthopaedic regenerative therapies that harness the body’s natural inflammatory process to reduce pain and inflammation through safe, non-surgical options. These treatments are clinically proven effective for many patients. While knee surgery may still be necessary for some, regenerative therapies can also complement surgical recovery by accelerating healing and reducing scarring.
Ligament Injury
Ligaments connect the thigh bone (femur) to the lower leg bones, providing stability to the knee joint. Ligament injuries, such as sprains or tears, are often sportsrelated and can lead to severe knee pain, with surgery frequently recommended.
- Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL): The MCL stabilizes the knee against forces directed toward the outer side of the knee, helping to limit sideways movement.
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL): The LCL stabilizes the knee against forces from the inner side, also limiting sideways movement.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): The ACL controls the knee’s forward and backward movement, preventing the tibia from moving too far forward in relation to the femur.
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): The PCL supports backward and forward stability of the knee, working to control excessive movement.
Each of these ligaments plays a vital role in knee stability, and injuries to any can lead to significant pain and instability, often necessitating medical intervention.
Arthritis
Knee arthritis can make everyday activities, like walking or climbing stairs, challenging. As a chronic degenerative condition, arthritis often leads to moderate to severe pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee, making it difficult to bend or perform simple tasks. Due to the progression of arthritis, many patients ultimately consider surgical options, such as partial or total knee replacements.
However, it’s worth noting that a 2015 Harvard University study involving 12,000 patients found an 800% increase in heart attack risk within one month following knee replacement surgery.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of knee arthritis. It involves the gradual wearing down of cartilage in the knee joint, leading to pain and reduced mobility. Symptoms typically worsen with age, especially after 50, as cartilage continues to wear down with ongoing use.
As knee arthritis progresses, symptoms often intensify. Common management options include weight loss, strengthening exercises, knee wraps, and medications such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain.
At Bangkok Stem Cells, we offer advanced cell-based therapies that have provided relief for many patients with knee osteoarthritis, helping them avoid the pain and risks associated with knee replacement surgery.
While there is no cure for knee arthritis, there are effective treatment options that can help manage pain and maintain mobility. Many patients have opted for adult stem cells, PRP, or umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) as safer, non-surgical alternatives to reduce pain and preserve joint function.
Use of Stem Cells for Knee Conditions
Stem cell therapy has gained attention worldwide for claims ranging from wrinkle reduction to spinal repair. Although not all applications are scientifically validated, stem cell therapy for knee conditions has been supported by several promising studies.
Arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, occurs when the cartilage lining the joints deteriorates, causing pain and limiting mobility. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with around 600,000 knee replacements performed annually—a number projected to reach 3 million by 2030. Until recently, treatment options for knee arthritis were limited to temporary relief or surgical intervention.
Today, stem cell therapy for knees offers a non-surgical option that has shown success in reducing pain and repairing cartilage. As a result, many individuals have been able to improve their quality of life and avoid surgery.
Adult stem cells play a vital role in maintaining and healing tissues by replenishing damaged or dying cells. However, certain areas of the body, like the knee, have limited blood supply, which can hinder the natural effectiveness of stem cells. By directly injecting stem cells into the knee joint, this self-recovery process can be activated and enhanced.
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a complex condition that can be difficult to manageactivated and may not always respond well to medications or even surgery. For some patients, especially those with obesity or other comorbidities, surgery may not be a feasible option. Regenerative therapies, including stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), amniotic fluid, and cytokine modulation, have shown significant promise in treating KOA, providing an alternative pathway for pain relief and joint repair.
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are extraordinary cells with the unique ability to multiply, self-renew, and develop into specialized cell types. They have the potential to form virtually any tissue in the body, which makes them a promising option for regenerative therapies
Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Conditions
The cartilage in our joints plays an essential role in allowing smooth movement and protecting bones from friction. It absorbs shocks of up to 20 times body weight, which is vital for everyday movement and athletic activities.
Scientists have been exploring whether mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could be used to regenerate damaged knee cartilage. MSCs can develop into various types of cells, including muscle, bone, and, importantly, cartilage.
Knee stem cell therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that can reduce inflammation, slow or repair joint damage caused by arthritis, and potentially delay or prevent the need for knee replacement surgery.
Stem Cell Knee Injections
Adult stem cells can be extracted from bone marrow or fat using simple techniques. Once collected, the cells are concentrated and injected into the knee under imaging guidance to ensure precision. This approach has shown promising outcomes for many patients.
Research suggests that stem cell therapy for knees may work in several ways:
- Developing into cartilage cells essential for joint function
- Reducing inflammation that can exacerbate arthritis
- Releasing cytokines, proteins that slow cartilage degeneration and reduce pain
Side effects
Knee stem cell therapy is a minimally invasive procedure and is rarely painful. Side effects are typically mild and may include slight pain at the injection site, temporary inflammation, and some joint stiffness. These symptoms generally resolve on their own shortly after the procedure.
Cost of Stem Cell Knee Repair
The cost of knee stem cell therapy varies significantly depending on factors such as the severity of the condition and the quality of stem cells used. Our package, which includes 50 million Passage One umbilical cord stem cells and a comprehensive 3-5 day treatment program, starts at $19,500 USD.
This program includes 2-3 hours of treatment each day, along with supplemental therapies to enhance regenerative effects for knee pain relief and cartilage restoration. Please note that most insurance providers currently do not cover stem cell injections. However, this may change as research continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of these treatments.