Stem cells have been gaining a lot of attention in recent years as a potential form of treatment for various medical conditions, including joint pain, arthritis and neuropathy. The use of stem cells to treat lower extremity pain has been studied extensively, with promising results showing the potential to reduce inflammation and regenerate damaged tissue. If you would like to find out if you are a candidate for stem cell therapy for your hip, knee or leg pain, we can see you in our Melbourne or Orlando Florida locations or do a tele-consult imaging review.
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Hip Pain
Leg Pain
Knee Pain
What causes hip pain?
Some of the main causes of hip pain include osteoarthritis, where the cartilage protecting the hip joint wears down over time, leading to bone-on-bone friction, bone spurs, and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is another cause, where the immune system attacks the hip joint tissues, causing chronic inflammation and bone erosion. Injuries such as overuse injuries, hip fractures, dislocations, and labral tears can also result in hip pain. Bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the hip, and tendinitis, inflammation of tendons, are other possible causes. Additionally, sacroiliac dysfunction, where the joints connecting the base of the spine to the hips experience excessive or limited movement, can lead to hip pain.
Other symptoms that can accompany hip pain are:
• Joint stiffness
• Swelling or tenderness
• Limited movement
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty putting weight on your hip
• Grinding or clicking sensations in the joint
You may also notice that your pain increases when you’re active or lying on the affected side.
How is hip pain treated?
Treatment for hip pain typically begins with conservative methods such as physical therapy, rest, ice, heat, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation. If these methods don’t provide relief, your doctor may recommend cortisone injections or even surgery. If the more conservative methods of treatment have been ineffective, a specialist may discuss more aggressive options such as:
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Sacroiliac joint injection
• Surgery
How does stem cell treatment help hip pain?
Many of the conditions that lead to hip pain begin with inflammation, Regenerative therapy has been shown to help inflammation along with stimulating the bodies own ability to promote healing and tissue regeneration. This can be helpful whether the problem is in the hip joint, SI joint or referred from a nerve in the back.
There are different types of Stem Cell Therapy. Autologous mesenchymal cells are thought to be the safest option, as they are not regulated as a drug like cord blood stem cells. At Total Spine and Wellness, our specialists will evaluate you to determine the best treatment for you: Platelet Rich Plasma, Bone Marrow stem cells, or Adipose Tissue Stem Cells. Each cell type can have different outcomes, so it's important to choose a provider that offers multiple types of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and customizes their protocol for each patient. Don't settle for one-size-fits-all treatment, find the right fit for you!
What causes Leg Pain?
Leg pain can be caused by traumatic events like accidents or sports injuries however, it is also possible that leg pain can come from nerve and vascular problems. Chronic Leg pain can be attributed to various factors, which can be broadly categorized into three groups: musculoskeletal issues, vascular conditions, and neurological disorders. The primary contributors to leg pain are problems affecting the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Some common causes include:
• Muscle cramps
• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Shin splints
• Ligament tears
• Stress fractures
• Muscle injuries
Lower extremity pain can stem from foot issues as well. Nerve-related conditions often contribute to the development of leg pain, particularly when nerves become inflamed or injured. For instance, peripheral neuropathy can harm the nerves in your legs. Additionally, leg pain can originate from compressed nerves in the lower back, resulting in radiating pain down the legs. Furthermore, leg pain can also indicate underlying blood vessel problems. Clogged arteries (peripheral artery disease), insufficient vein circulation (venous insufficiency), and blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) frequently manifest as leg pain. These conditions interfere with proper circulation in the legs. Ignoring treatment from a vascular specialist can lead to severe complications, such as non-healing ulcers and severe infections.
Leg pain can manifest in various ways for different individuals. It can be continuous or sporadic, arise suddenly or gradually, and impact either the entire leg or a specific region. The sensation of the pain can vary, with some describing it as stabbing or sharp, while others may experience a dull ache or tingling. In cases where musculoskeletal conditions are the underlying cause of the leg pain, additional symptoms may include:
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Leg or muscle weakness
• Skin redness or warmth
• Inability to put weight on your leg
• Popping or grinding sounds in the joints
• Back pain
How is leg pain treated?
Leg pain can be effectively treated through various methods. If you experience intense or persistent pain despite trying medications and physical therapy, Total Spine and Wellness offers innovative solutions. Our providers specialize in addressing the underlying cause of your pain, and they may suggest targeted treatments to bring you relief. Some recommended treatments could include:
• Joint injections
• Nerve block
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Sympathetic nerve blocks
• Peripheral nerve block
• Selective nerve root block
• Stem Cell Therapy
Joint injections can be comprised of either a steroid, which helps reduce inflammation, hyaluronic acid, a lubricating treatment that alleviates pain in arthritic joints or Stem Cell Injections. Additionally, the remaining procedures on this list work by intercepting pain signals transmitted through specific nerves. By blocking these nerve signals, these procedures alleviate discomfort by preventing the brain from perceiving the pain.
How do stem cells help leg pain?
Many of the conditions that lead to leg pain begin with inflammation and damaged tissue. Regenerative therapy has been shown to help inflammation along with stimulating the bodies own ability to promote healing and tissue regeneration. This can be helpful whether the problem is in the hip joint, knee joint or the leg itself.
There are different types of Stem Cell Therapy. Autologous mesenchymal cells are thought to be the safest option, as they are not regulated as a drug like cord blood stem cells. At Total Spine and Wellness, our specialists will evaluate you to determine the best treatment for you: Platelet Rich Plasma, Bone Marrow stem cells, or Adipose Tissue Stem Cells. Each cell type can have different outcomes, so it's important to choose a provider that offers multiple types of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and customizes their protocol for each patient. Don't settle for one-size-fits-all treatment, find the right fit for you!
What causes knee pain?
Knee pain refers to the discomfort experienced in the tissues of the knee joint, which connects the upper and lower legs. The knee joint comprises muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons, and cartilage, and can become painful due to factors such as aging, diseases, or injuries. If you're experiencing severe knee discomfort, it's advisable to seek a consultation with the specialists at Total Spine and Wellness.
Knee pain shows up as many different symptoms, some may include:
• Aching
• Sharp pain
• Throbbing
• Burning
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Redness
• Warmth
• Bruising
• Diminished range of motion
• Reduced mobility
Often times knee pain can improve with rest and conservative therapy. Sometimes it is necessary to seek further treatment. Some of the common causes of chronic knee pain include:
• Reduced mobility
• Damage to tendons, muscles, ligaments, or cartilage
• Fractures
• Degeneration of tissues
• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
• Injuries to the medial cruciate ligament (MCL)
• Torn meniscus
• Patellar tendonitis
• Knee bursitis
• Excess body weight
• Participation in sports
• Physically demanding job
• Car accidents
• Lack of strength and flexibility
• Previous knee injury
• Overtraining
What are the treatments for knee pain?
At Total Spine and Wellness, some of the treatments we may employ for knee pain are:
• Rest, ice (or heat packs), compression, and elevation (RICE)
• Bracing
• Physical therapy
• Medications
• Hyaluronic acid injections
• Corticosteroid injections
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) therapy
• SVF treatment (stem cells from adipose tissue)
• Surgery
How can Stem Cells help with knee pain?
Stem cell injections for knee treatment involve the introduction of stem cells directly into the affected area. Once there, these cells have the ability to transform into cartilage cells and promote the release of growth factors, which assist in the healing process of damaged tissues. By replenishing lost cartilage and enhancing joint function, this procedure can effectively reduce pain and inflammation.
There are different types of Stem Cell Therapy. Autologous mesenchymal cells are thought to be the safest option, as they are not regulated as a drug like cord blood stem cells. At Total Spine and Wellness, our specialists will evaluate you to determine the best treatment for you: Platelet Rich Plasma, Bone Marrow stem cells, or Adipose Tissue Stem Cells. Each cell type can have different outcomes, so it's important to choose a provider that offers multiple types of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and customizes their protocol for each patient. Don't settle for one-size-fits-all treatment, find the right fit for you!