1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Arthritis

Stem Cell Recovery Forum: Arthritis and Cartilage Injections

Posted , 88 users are following.

jeffharms
jeffharms

A place for patients (and prospective patients) of Stem Cell procedures related to arthritis and cartilage building due to athletic injury, wear-and-tear and arthritis.

7 likes, 187 replies

187 Replies

Prev Next
  • Gardenfairy
    Gardenfairy jeffharms

    Posted

    I am also a dancer and dance coach and suffer from a very bad back. The stem cell procedure I had successfully was my thumb joints....bone marrow cells. It took at least 6 months for any pain relief and now at a year it is pretty good...pain free mostly but still sore if I do pushups or a lot of hand work. Thumbs are iffy for same day procedures but I had a very high stem cell count so I did well even with stage 4 arthritis. Before I knew that bone marrow is better for orth problems I had fat stem cells into two disks, Also I know now that cultured bone marrow cells are much better for disc tears but that can't be done in the U.S. because of regulations. I have been somewhat worse since then...2 years now. Regular prolotherapy and PRP prolotherapy helpful for the ligaments in my back so that I recover faster if I sit or lie down but otherwise I'm still having a rough time. I can't be on my feet very long. PRP injections into facet joints have not made a noticible change. I've been having regenerative work every few months for more than a year. Finally my doctor burned the nerves at 5 levels with phenol. This allows me to walk and stand a littl bit longer. Facets are really banged up from dancing, mild scoliosis, good disc height but fissures in two, prominent in L4/5.

    My research shows hips are also tricky and often don't respond to stem cell therapy. Knees seem to do very well. Lack of progenitor cells in hip joints may be a factor. Like the spine, hips and ankles are tough sad

    Someone asked about the 2 months "clean up"....That's the time span for cells to clean out damaged tissue and such before any repair begins. They tell you not to expect anything to feel better until after then. My thumbs hurt a lot from the injections into three months. Good luck everyone

  • wknight
    wknight jeffharms

    Posted

    To those that have had stem cell treatment have you see an xray or MRI of your joints after this procedure and has the cartilage been replaced?

    If not, then it sounds to me that the pain relief is no different to that achieved via a steroid injection. I have had 2 finger joint replacements and am enroute to a 3rd so am looking for an alternative, but I have already lost a lot of the joint so unless its replaced it won't help me. 

    • paula23389
      paula23389 wknight

      Posted

      I've often wanted another MRI but I'm sure that unless I  go back to Premiere Stem Cell in Colorado that's not going to happen. It has been nearly a year since I had stem cell injections in my knee, which had become so painful that I had finally decided to do the inevitable, the dreaded knee replacement! I also had arthritis in my right thumb joint, and a 90% tear in my left rotator cuff. I am now back to riding my horse and roping! I am a 68 almost 69 year old woman. I completely believe in stem cell therapy if done properly.

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure paula23389

      Posted

      Great great story and a blessing to have the results you had. Congratulations to you and so happy you have the life you love back. 

      I Have osteo arthritis  in both knees. I wear spring shoes to manage the pain and PT had success with it for several years. Have both hips replaced so gave up riding miss it so much. Loved my BEAUTIFUL HORSES. GONE TO THAT RAINBOW IN THE Sky! Such beautiful majestic and smart animals ans wonderful memories. 

    • evanne99905
      evanne99905 paula23389

      Posted

      How long after your stem cell injections did you get relief? I'm looking at knee replacement later in the month and really don't want to do it. I can't stand very long, my knee swells and is very painful. I can't climb stairs, dance, walk distances, etc. I thought I was too far gone for stem cell injection. What type of stem cells do they use at Premiere in Colorado?

    • Gardenfairy
      Gardenfairy evanne99905

      Posted

      My procedure helped my thumbs after 6 months or more....up to then no real change. My doc says sometimes 4 months can show results but not much. My wrist took closer to a year but is now like normal
    • Guest
      Guest wknight

      Posted

      Steroids will damage your cartilage and tissue if you take them too often. There is a lot of literature about that. If your joint is one on bone, stem cells may be an option, but there needs to be some cartilage to work with.
    • florentina36053
      florentina36053 Gardenfairy

      Posted

      Hi. I have arthritis of the base of the thumb. Did you have stem cells injection? How are you know now after 6 years? Your reply would be really helpful.

  • maria56025
    maria56025 jeffharms

    Posted

    Did you have both knees done at the same time??  

    I had stem cells plus ACL reconstruction nearly 9wks ago, in my right knee. 

  • robert80375
    robert80375 jeffharms

    Posted

    My calves of my legs feel really tired for a week

    Now after stem cell injection. I am also lacking energy. Is this normal

  • mceastside
    mceastside jeffharms

    Posted

    Jeff

    Had stem cell treatment onbknees with Prp, 10 weeks ago

    Just finished 8 weeks of therapy

    My one knee pretty good, some pain, discomfort in right knee, doc wants to prescribe braces, I'm skeptical and would like to wait on them, hoping stem cells c9ntinue to grow

    I'm 73 year old male, and was told I was a candidate

    Thanks

    Mceastside

    • Gardenfairy
      Gardenfairy mceastside

      Posted

      My friend, also a dancer, had stem cell last week in one knee. Will do the second one in a month. They want to make sure to get lots of cells so are doing them apart. Will see how things go.
    • Molly1charlie2
      Molly1charlie2 Gardenfairy

      Posted

      You have a,good chance,with knees....mine was hips....unfortunately not as successful. I had 2 billion stem cells to work with.....so we thought there,was a chance.sad
  • mceastside
    mceastside jeffharms

    Posted

    Also, forgot to mention, knees are stiff at times, exercises help , but not always

    Also, 600 mg Ibuprofen helps at times

    Mceastside

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure mceastside

      Posted

      also heat and a knee brace as well as spring shoes takes the weight off per square inch of pressure by walking on spring shoes. I have osteo in both knees. These shoes have helped for many years. Hips are replaced but knees seem to be manageable so far . Really was surprised to have the results. I guess just lucky so far. 

      I have read read umbilical cord stem cell therapy is more successful than stem cells taken from our own blood. 

    • Molly1charlie2
      Molly1charlie2 mceastside

      Posted

      Ibuprofen. ...or NSADS from what I have been told are not good and can damage stem cells.
    • mceastside
      mceastside Molly1charlie2

      Posted

      The Doc told me  no acetaminophen) for first 2 or 3 weeks, but Ibuprofen, OK, but it's been 18 weeks, not much improvement, I go see him June 7th. Did I mention the original Doc was a woman from this same practice, and left the practice about a month after my procedure, during which, she mentioned my stem cells were that of a 40 year old, I am 73.

      The stem cells were taken from my pelvis

    • maria56025
      maria56025 Molly1charlie2

      Posted

      I was told no ibuprofen as it interferes with the body's natural anti inflammatory process. You can try and eat a lot of foods in your diet that have a natural anti inflammatory effect like turmeric olive oil salmon sardines mackerel garlic ginger amongst others

    • mceastside
      mceastside maria56025

      Posted

      I als work out at the Y, doing knee exercises recommended by my therapist after 8 weeks of therapy

      Thanks on the info about Ibuprofen, I have tried tumeric, will try others and hope for the best

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.