Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. OA is known as a degenerative joint disease; it occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time. While the condition can affect any joint, it typically affects joints in the knees, hands, hips and lower back.

Cartilage is the tissue – containing chondrocyte cells – that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide smoothly over each other and acts as a cushion between the bones. In OA, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away, so the bones under the cartilage rub together, causing symptoms such as pain, swelling and a restricted range of movement.

Since OA is a chronic progressive disease, symptoms typically gradually worsen over time. The complexity of the disease makes treatment difficult. There are no drugs available to treat the underlying condition and halt disease progression. Patients who take active steps to manage their symptoms may gain some relief from physical therapies, weight management and the use of medications, supplements and mechanical support devices.

Cell therapy offers an alternative option for the treatment of OA to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Adipose sCell Therapy (ASCT) is an innovative treatment for degenerative conditions like OA. It uses the body’s natural healing process to accelerate and enhance recovery.

The adipose-derived cell is safer and easily accessible compared to other cell alternatives. Our doctors and practitioners at Aeterna Health are the most experienced ASCT team in Australia.

The doctor will harvest the adipose cells from your belly fat using a liposuction technique. A nurse will then take your blood, similar to a normal blood test, which will be spun in a centrifuge to isolate the plasma component (PRP). PRP is rich in platelets and growth factors.

The PRP is mixed with the adipose cells and activated under light before being injected into the site of the injury with a local anaesthetic.

Since 2012, our treatment has helped over thousands of people. The outcomes we see in patients, as well as our published findings (Gibbs et al 2015 [1]), are compatible with peer-reviewed scientific papers and studies of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) in the treatment of OA. Patients in this research claim improvements in joint pain, stiffness, and physical function.

Michalek et al 2015 [2] reported:

The largest trial of SVF for degenerative osteoarthritis grades 2–4 included 1,128 patients and 1,856 joints (mainly knee and hip joints). To examine the clinical effect and measure patients’ pain, symptoms, and quality of life, a Clinical Score (a modified Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS]) was employed.

Michalek et al 2015 [2] reported:

SVF cell therapy has not been linked to any major adverse effects, systemic infection, or illness.

Patients gradually improved over the course of 3–12 months after therapy, with the majority reporting less pain, increased mobility, and improved quality of life. At the 12-month mark, 63 percent of patients had improved their Clinical Score by at least 75 percent.

Despite the fact that more than 45 percent of patients were joint replacement candidates, only four patients (all hips) decided to undergo Total Joint Arthroplasty (joint replacement) during the follow-up period (about 17 months post-treatment).

There was also a significant reduction in the use of painkillers.

• Chondromalacia patella (CMP): This condition involves cartilaginous softening of the patellar cartilage and knee pain.
• Meniscal tears: The knee meniscus is a fibro-cartilaginous disc that absorbs shock in the knee. This structure is often torn with knee injuries.
• Osteonecrosis: The bone material dies, and this leads to the collapse of the hip joint.
• Achilles tendinopathy: Tendon degeneration is often a cause of pain. The Achilles tendon runs along the heel region, and often develops pain and decreases function with injury or damage.

References

Gibbs, N., Diamond, R., Sekyere, E. and Thomas, W. Management of knee osteoarthritis by combined stromal vascular fraction cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and musculoskeletal exercises: A case series. Journal of Pain Research, 2015; 8:799-806.

Michalek, J., et al., Stem Cell Therapy of Osteoarthritis Using Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells – Proceeding of the STEMSO Conference. CellR4, 2014. 2(1).