did anyone try stem cell treatment to hip replacement???

Dear Louis

From what I recall from posts over the last year it is not a useful option but others may know more.

Hip replacement surgery is generally very successful but I'm sure you have good reasons for asking about stem cell treatment as a possible alternative. Please tell us more so we can learn something.

All the best, Richard

As far as I know it is still very much still in research

I spoke to my surgeon and he told me that the cost is about $10,000 and insurance won't cover it

Additionally, there is no assurance that it will work

Hello Louis,

Like you I investigated stem cell therapy as a treatment alternative to surgery.  My condition is advanced osteoarthritis and a year ago I was adamantly fighting against surgery.  When I looked into stem cell therapy it was really motivated by an emotional impulse and a hope I could evade an experience I was, and to a degree still am, afraid of.  From everything I could find, stem cell therapy for my condition was unsuccessful and not supported by any scientific research or testing.  On one web site/forum there were literally hundreds of people who posted their experience and only one person who claimed to have had their arthritis [hip] respond positively and as I recall there was something odd about that persons forum contribution, it didn't sound authentic.  All the others were decidedly negative responses and experiences.  Obviously I was very disappointed as I really wanted to find an alternative but even the anecdotal information was overwhelmingly negative.  There was some anecdotal indication that stem cell therapy was more effective in treating arthritis of the knees but even that had no double blind studies to support it.  I gave up the hope for stem cell therapy as just magical thinking and realizing there have always been individuals who will capitalize on peoples fears by offering quack therapies of no benefit.  I've finally got health insurance on the marketplace and after a year of researching orthopedic surgeons who specialize in hip replacements in my state I've gotten a referral to the surgeon I think will be the most capable in doing the surgery.  I see him next week and look forward to his diagnosis and recommendation.  I am still afraid of the surgery or actually afraid of a bad outcome that won't solve the issue or even make it worse but have concluded it is my only real alternative and am resolved to move forward with it as continuing to be essentially crippled and unable to live life effectively with my condition simply isn't an alternative.  Best of luck to you.

Jim

Hi Louis, come back in ten years time and hip ops may be a thing of the past and stem cells will have taken over.