While still in its early stages of implementation and research on patients, stem cell treatment is showing positive evidence to suggest that it can help hip disorders heal – without the need for invasive surgery. Stem cell treatment works by offering a nonsurgical approach that allows your own cells to repair certain other parts of your body.
How? Through injections of an intensive concentration of your own healthy stem cells into vulnerable, injured, or deteriorating parts of your body.
Experts have very high hopes for the possibilities of stem cell treatments as a long-term solution. With injections of stem cells, the healthy cells are yours – so they can help renew the deteriorating joint tissue that may be hurting your hip.
Why Should I Consider Stem Cells?
Why would someone choose this experimental treatment over a proven surgical procedure? First of all, stem cell therapy is minimally invasive – so there’s very little healing and recovery involved. There are no incisions; only a needle is used.
Second, stem cell centers like ours use autologous (your own) stem cells, so there’s no risk of rejection of the stem cells.
These two major factors pose so little risk to the patient, that many doctors consider it to be worthwhile to try it on a patient before more invasive treatments.
What Types of Hip Problems Can Stem Cell Therapy Treat?
After your stem cells are harvested, processed and concentrated in a laboratory, and re-injected back into your hip, you may experience same-day mobility. Your healthy stem cells will likely be harvested from the back of the hip area, also known as your iliac bone.
Below are some of the common hip problems that can be helped by stem cell therapy:
Bursitis
Bursitis is a condition that can occur when the bursa, or a small sac of fluid in your joints, gets inflamed. This is usually due to injury or age-related wear and tear.
Normally, a bursa acts as a cushion within your joint; but when it is inflamed, it can make mobility incredibly painful. With stem cells injected into the affected area, the stem cells can renew and replace the damaged cells within the bursa.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is commonly associated with babies and pets, but adults can also suffer issues with hip dysplasia. A hip socket that doesn’t fully cover the entire ball of the ball-and-socket joint essentially characterizes the condition. This means that your hip can easily become dislocated.
While professionals may recommend hip replacement surgery, it might be worth trying a less invasive approach through stem cell therapy first. While the stem cells will not restore your hip’s misalignment, the new cells may help revitalize the cartilage damage and offer some cushion for your joints – and possible pain relief.
Arthritis
The degeneration over time of the body’s protective cartilage in the joints causes arthritis. This can make movement and everyday tasks very difficult and painful.
In the case of arthritis, stem cells can help revive and replace the damaged cartilage cells that are breaking down. This allows for much less friction within your affected joints, making movement much easier and less painful.
Labrum Tear
Your hip labrum works as a steady rim around the socket of your hipbone. The labrum’s job is to provide stability to this major joint that allows for movement, walking, etc.
Although it is incredibly difficult to inject stem cells into the labrum, it is possible if done by a trained and experienced professional. Some experts have seen great success in the regeneration of cells within labrum tears if they inject the stem cells using real-time X-ray imaging paired with ultrasound technology. This is necessary for precise placement for maximum results.
Precision Pain Care and Rehabilitation has two convenient locations in the Richmond Hill – Queens and New Hyde Park – Long Island. Call the Richmond Hill office at (718) 215-1888, or (516) 419-4480 for Long Island office, to arrange an appointment with our Interventional Pain Management Specialist, Dr. Jeffrey Chacko.
