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Hip Pain Treatment Page
Stem Cell Therapy For Hip Pain in Wisconsin
We use extracellular matrix with great results as a scaffolding fiber for stem cells.
Hip pain may be less common than other forms of body pain, but it can be among the most debilitating types of pain. Fifteen percent of people above the age of 65 report that they suffer from hip pain. Not only is hip pain more difficult to treat, any invasive treatment for hip pain is invariably followed by long periods of immobilization and rehabilitation. We at Spectrum Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center believe that hip pain should not take over your life! Read on to find out how we use cutting-edge regenerative medicine to deal with hip pain.
What Are The Conditions That Could Be Causing Pain In My Hip?
The hip joint is a complex structure, made up of bones, cartilage and several muscles and tendons. Any condition that causes swelling or damage to these structures can cause hip pain. Damage to soft tissues such as the cartilage and tendons can disrupt the integrity of the joint, and change the bone morphology, which worsens pain. The following conditions are most commonly associated with hip pain:
- Arthritis – osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis – inflammation of fluid filled sacs in the joint
- Hip labral tears – tears in the cartilage ring surrounding the joint
- Hip impingement – growth of bone ‘spurs’ in the joint
At Spectrum Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center, the good news is many times the above conditions may be treated with minimally invasive injections before committing to more invasive surgical options.
Why Should I Be Considering Stem Cell Therapy For Hip Pain?
Without invasive surgery, you have very few treatment options to relieve pain in your hip. Corticosteroid injections can relieve pain temporarily, but can eventually worsen degenerative changes to the hip. Other injections, such as hyaluronic acid, prolotherapy and amniotic tissue products have been tried with minimal results. While they do not worsen the condition of the hip, they don’t halt the progress of the disease either, and their effect is also temporary. Most patients, therefore, eventually turn to surgery, either hip replacement surgery, or hip resurfacing. Both these procedures may be traumatic for some people and require long-term post surgical rehabilitation. They have also been associated with serious adverse events such as infections and venous thromboembolism.
Stem cells, on the other hand, have been established as effective in aiding the process of regeneration. These cells not only halt the disease progress, but also reverse it by repairing damaged tissue and restoring normal joint anatomy. Many medical centers are recognizing the value of stem cell therapy as a viable alternative to surgery. This procedure is office based, and does not require lengthy workup and admissions. The actual procedure can be done in a single day, and does not require a recovery period – you can get back to an active lifestyle almost at once!
Not sure if you are the right candidate? Set up an appointment with one of our doctors, who will review your X-rays and MRI scans. Based on these, and your overall physical health and status, he will let you know if stem cell injections are the right kind of treatment for your specific kind of pain.
Is There Enough Evidence That Stem Cells Can Heal My Hip Pain?
In one word – yes. Several studies, both in animal models and humans, have shown that stem cells are capable of remodeling bone and repairing cartilage in various joints of the body. Clinical trials have been performed, in which stem cells were used for treatment of hip conditions such as osteoarthritis, with good results. A few examples of these are given below.
- The results of 60 clinical studies, that evaluated the regeneration of joint cartilage following stem cell therapy, were summarized by Filardo et al. (2016).1 They stated that there was a definite clinical improvement associated with stem cell therapy, and this was supplemented with positive MRI findings.
- A study conducted by Centeno et al. (2014), investigated the efficacy and safety of bone marrow stem cell injections in 196 patients who had hip osteoarthritis.2 They found significant improvement in the numeric pain scores reported by patients. An improvement in functionality of the joint was also reported.
- A systematic review of 16 studies, by Liu et al. (2014),3 evaluated the efficacy of stem cell injections in avascular necrosis of the hip joint. Preclinical studies showed an improvement in bone formation, as well as blood flow to the joint, while the clinical studies that they analyzed showed improved patient outcomes.
- Another study, by Mardones et al. (2017),4 followed ten patients who underwent mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of hip osteoarthritis. They found statistically significant improvement of several parameters including pain, stiffness, physical function and range of motion. There was also noticeable improvement in the radiographic images of the same patients.
Where Do The Stem Cells Used For Treatment Come From?
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Stem cells can be harvested either from your own body, or from compatible donors. We prefer to use ‘autologous’ cells, that is, cells taken from your own body, to increase the chances of healing, while minimizing adverse effects. Your own body has a ready supply of stem cells available, to help repair tissue that is damaged. Unfortunately, these may not be mobilized to the areas of damage as quickly as we’d like, and the rate of movement is much lesser than the rate of progression of the disease. This is where we come in. By taking stem cells from areas where they are commonly found, and re-introducing them into damaged tissue, we speed up the body’s natural process of repair and regeneration.
Stem cells are abundantly present in body fat and bone marrow. Fat, where adipose mesenchymal stem cells are derived from, is usually taken from invisible areas, such as the stomach. Bone marrow can be taken from the back of the hip, which generally has good quantities. For stem cell injections into the hip, we at Spectrum Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center can use both bone marrow and adipose (body fat) mesenchymal stem cells.
What Is The Procedure Involved During Stem Cell Injections Into The Hip?
We use extracellular matrix with great results as a scaffolding fiber for stem cells.
The entire procedure at Spectrum Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center is performed in a single visit lasting a few hours. You will however, require two separate appointments – one before the procedure, to evaluate your health status, and one follow-up appointment after the procedure. The procedure is office based, and does not require hospital admission or general anesthesia.
First, we harvest bone marrow from the back of your hip, which is numbed before a needle is inserted. It is just like drawing blood, and is relatively painless. The bone marrow that we aspirate is then sent down to our laboratory, where advanced equipment is used to isolate the stem cells from the rest of the marrow tissue. This ensures that a high concentration of stem cells get delivered to your hip. The stem cells are then purified and prepared for injection.
Once the stem cells are ready to use, the area of your hip joint is numbed and prepared to receive the stem cells. Our doctor's don't believe in ‘random’ or ‘blind’ injections – the injections are delivered precisely to specific areas of damage. This is done by locating the damaged tissue, and advancing the needle towards it under fluoroscopic guidance. Once the needle is in place, its position is confirmed using fluoroscopy. The stem cells are then delivered to the area so that they can begin the process of healing and regeneration.
Our doctors may also combine stem cells with platelet rich plasma, which is harvested from your blood and processed at our laboratory prior to injection. This adds growth factors to the healing mix, thus hastening the process of regeneration.
Should I Be Worried About Side Effects From Stem Cell Hip Injections?
There is no need to worry about serious side effects. Since stem cell injections are a ‘biologic’ form of treatment, they cannot possibly damage the tissues into which they’ve been injected. The review of 60 studies (Filardo et al., 2016)1 documented that no adverse effects have been linked at all to stem cell injections.
Some studies have reported minor adverse effects, which are mostly related to the injection process. These are extremely rare, and include:
- Pain at the injection site
- Minor swelling and bruising
- Skin rashes and infection
These adverse effects can be managed through the use of ice, compression, and over the counter pain relief medications like Tylenol.
References
FAQS
- Filardo G, Perdisa F, Roffi A, Marcacci M, Kon E. Stem cells in articular cartilage regeneration. J Orthop Surg Res. 2016;11:42. doi:10.1186/s13018-016-0378-x
- Centeno CJ, Pitts JA, Al-Sayegh H, Freeman MD. Efficacy and Safety of Bone Marrow Concentrate for Osteoarthritisof the Hip; Treatment Registry Results for 196 Patients. J Stem Cell Res Ther 2014; 4:242. doi:10.4172/2157-7633.1000242
- Lau RL, Perruccio AV, Evans HM, Mahomed SR, Mahomed NN, Gandhi R. Stem cell therapy for the treatment of early stage avascular necrosis of the femoral head: a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014;15:156. Published 2014 May 16. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-15-156
- Mardones R, Jofré CM, Tobar L, Minguell JJ. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis. J Hip Preserv Surg. 2017;4(2):159-163. doi:10.1093/jhps/hnx011
FAQs
How successful is stem cell therapy for hips? ›
It has been proven to reduce chronic hip pain, reduce stiffness, increase mobility, and improve the overall condition of the hip. Many people are avoiding hip replacement surgery by undergoing these stem cell treatments. It is unclear how long these treatments might be effective.
Can stem cell therapy repair damaged hips? ›An alternative to invasive hip joint replacement procedures is stem cell treatment. Stem cell treatment uses your body's own healthy cells to help repair damaged joint tissue.
What did research at the University of Wisconsin Madison confirm about stem cells? ›A new study suggests that retinal cells grown from stem cells may be ready for trials in humans with degenerative eye disorders.
How much is stem cell therapy for hip pain? ›The typical cost of autologous stem cell procedure (your own stem cells) for various body sections is as follows: Knee: $5,000-$15,000 per knee. Back pain/spine procedures: $8,000 to $30,000. Hip: $5,000-$10,000 per hip.
How long does stem cell hip injection last? ›Several studies using stem cells as a treatment for arthritis have shown lasting results anywhere from six months to several years.
Can stem cells regrow hip cartilage? ›Keep in mind: There's no evidence that stem cells can restore lost tissue or cause cartilage to grow.
What can I expect after hip stem cell injection? ›It is normal to experience some pain and swelling in the injection area after PRP or stem cells have been introduced. This discomfort can last between 48 hours and two weeks, and recurrence of pain can even happen after 2 weeks.
When is it too late to get a hip replacement? ›Adults of any age can be considered for a hip replacement, although most are done on people between the ages of 60 and 80. A modern artificial hip joint is designed to last for at least 15 years. Most people have a significant reduction in pain and improvement in their range of movement.
How do they take stem cells from your hip? ›For the procedure, Dr. Wiznia takes bone marrow from a patient's pelvis and isolates the stem cells. He creates a 3-D model of the patient's hip joint so that he can precisely target the areas where bone is dead. He then removes some of the dead bone and injects stem cells—and places a bone graft—into those regions.
Why do people disagree with stem cell therapy? ›Opponents argue that the research is unethical, because deriving the stem cells destroys the blastocyst, an unimplanted human embryo at the sixth to eighth day of development. As Bush declared when he vetoed last year's stem cell bill, the federal government should not support “the taking of innocent human life.”
Why is stem cell therapy not approved? ›
These unproven, unregulated stem cell treatments carry significant risk. The risks range from administration site reactions to dangerous adverse events. For example, injected cells can multiply into inappropriate cell types or even dangerous tumors.
What religion says about stem cell research? ›Some religious communities believe that embryonic stem cell research destroys innocent life and should not be allowed. Others believe that while the embryo has moral worth, a group of a hundred cells no bigger than the head of a pin is not the same as a person.
Does Medicare pay for stem cell therapy for hips? ›Medicare Part B covers outpatient procedures, which include some instances of stem cell therapy. A doctor must declare that your stem cell treatment is medically necessary, and once you've met your Medicare Part B deductible, you'll pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for stem cell therapy.
Is stem cell therapy covered by insurance 2022? ›Is stem cell therapy covered by health insurance? No, other than the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to treat cancer, most stem cell therapies are not covered by health insurance. They are considered to be experimental.
Does Medicare pay for stem cells? ›Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans both cover certain types of approved stem cell therapy. Medicare parts A and B, also known as original Medicare, provide coverage for approved stem cell treatments and the associated out-of-pocket costs.
How many times can you get a hip injection? ›Concerns about steroid injections in the hip
You should spread out the injections at least every six weeks and have them no more than three to four times per year, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition to relieving pain, steroid injections are sometimes used to diagnose pain.
- Mouth and throat pain. ...
- Nausea and vomiting. ...
- Infection. ...
- Bleeding and transfusions. ...
- Interstitial pneumonitis and other lung problems. ...
- Graft-versus-host disease. ...
- Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) ...
- Graft failure.
Is Stem Cell Therapy Worth the Cost? Stem cells have been more widely used as part of regenerative medicine. As such, stem cell therapy is a successful treatment that offers many benefits that make it worth the price.
Can hip cartilage be repaired without surgery? ›Treatment option: Prolotherapy injections. This is the injection of dextrose, a simple sugar that provokes a healing response in damaged soft tissue. This would include the hip ligaments, the hip tendon's attachments that connect muscle to bone (the enthesis), and the hip cartilage.
How can I increase cartilage in my hips naturally? ›Stretch as often as possible. A simple stretch can help prevent stiffness in your joints and lubricate and nourish the cartilage with synovial fluid. Stretch exercises like yoga and pilates can help alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis and also strengthen your muscles to prevent further joint injury.
How long does hip injection hurt? ›
Most people feel less pain after a hip injection. You may notice reduced pain 15 to 20 minutes after the injection. Pain may return in 4 to 6 hours as the numbing medicine wears off. As the steroid medicine begins to take affect 2 to 7 days later, your hip joint should feel less painful.
How many stem cell injections do you need? ›What Should I Expect? Most patients will receive a series of three stem cell injections spaced out between two to five days. The first injection is a pre-injection procedure, wherein a solution of dextrose (simple sugars) is applied to the injured area to prepare it for the stem cells.
What is the success rate of stem cell treatment? ›Spinal Cord Injury and Nerve Damage
In addition, some spinal cord injuries can lead to progressive nerve damage if the spine does not heal properly. Stem cell treatment has achieved positive results in over 45% of patients, according to one trial.
In many cases, hip damage and dysfunction will worsen without treatment. Inactivity can lead to loss of muscle strength and increased stiffness of the hip joint. Without a hip replacement, weak hip muscles and joint stiffness could lead to a noticeable limp.
How long does it take to walk normally after a hip replacement? ›Most hip replacement patients are able to walk within the same day or next day of surgery; most can resume normal routine activities within the first 3 to 6 weeks of their total hip replacement recovery. Once light activity becomes possible, it's important to incorporate healthy exercise into your recovery program.
What is the best hip replacement to have? ›As the most successful titanium hip, the Taperloc femoral component has proven to stay firmly attached even after 28 years, allowing countless people to live life on their terms. Whether you're considering a traditional hip replacement or an anterior hip replacement, the Taperloc system is the gold standard.
Can you use stem cell for hip bone on bone? ›A stem cell hip treatment allows a physician to withdraw a patient's autologous stem cells from his or her bone marrow, typically from the iliac pelvic bone. The “pluripotent” stem cells are then combined with platelets and white blood cells and re-injected directly into the injured hip tissue to accelerate healing.
Can stem cells make you walk again? ›Following the implantation, 100% of the lab models with acute paralysis and 80% of those with chronic paralysis regained their ability to walk [1].
What is the best injection for hip arthritis? ›Corticosteroid Injection
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications that may provide pain relief when injected directly into the hip joint. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation, which is part of the body's immune system response and causes pain and swelling.
The success rate for this surgery is high, with greater than 95% of patients experiencing relief from hip pain. The success rate of hip replacements 10 years after surgery is 90- 95% and at 20 years 80-85%.
What not to do after stem cell? ›
Avoid any forceful rotation or manual manipulation. Remember that good healing during the first two months after the procedure will give you the best chance for success. The cells are fragile, and you need to be cautious that you don't overload them or cause too much stress or shearing on them.
What to avoid after stem cell therapy? ›- Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood (including sushi), eggs, and meat substitutes (such as tempeh and tofu)
- Unpasteurized or raw milk, cheese, other dairy products, and honey.
- Unwashed fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Raw or uncooked sprouts (such as alfalfa and bean sprouts)