BCM stem cell treatments seen as best option for knee osteoarthritis

The most common form of joint arthritis, osteoarthritis is a chronic condition affecting close to 27 million Americans, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Also known as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis can occur in any joint in the human body. Most commonly it affects the knees, hips and lower back, and the foundation reported that 1 out of every 2 Americans will experience symptoms of knee osteoarthritis in their lifetime. It can also affect the neck, fingers and bases of the big toe and thumb.

Symptoms and causes
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the end of each bone, acting as a smooth cushion between joints, slowly wears away over time, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It becomes thin and worn and no longer does its job of acting as a protective surface between bones. In the worst cases, painful bone spurs can develop. The Arthritis Foundation stated symptoms tend to gradually increase over time, and stiff and painful joints after resting are one of the first signs of osteoarthritis. Swelling, limited range of motion and clicking or scraping sounds when bending a joint are signs of degenerative joint disease. Typically, osteoarthritis doesn't occur until past the age of 50, according to the AAOS. Along with age, risk factors include traditional wear and tear, genes, obesity and previous injuries. 

Treatments
According to the Premier Stem Cell Institute, there is no cure for osteoarthritis but there are treatments. Previously, nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy, diet and exercise, and more invasive ones such as arthroplasty were the only options. Arthroplasty involves total joint replacement or joint restructuring. The institute reported that 900,000 Americans receive knee or hip replacements each year. However, these methods are riddled with flaws. The noninvasive treatments are time-consuming and patients sometimes end up with a dependence on medication. In addition to painful surgeries that require much recovery time, replacements for knees typically cost close to $22,500 per leg, according to the institute. But now there is another option.

BCM stem cell treatments
Autogenous bone marrow concentrate injection, known better as adult stem cell treatment, is one of the most effective ways to treat knee osteoarthritis, according to the Premier Stem Cell Institute. The institute's founding physician, Kenneth Pettine, M.D., is a leader in stem cell therapies and orthopedics. His research has found that there are many positive outcomes when using BMC that has mesenchymal stem cells. These types of cells are anti-inflammatory and promote healing and fighting off bacteria. Best of all, mesenchymal stem cells can significantly enhance the quality of cartilage – which is the best treatment for osteoarthritis, according to Caring Medical Regenerative Medicine Clinics. The clinic also stated that BCM injection is most effective because it is simple, noninvasive and provides relief for chronic pain. As successful research continues, nonsurgical alternatives such as BCM stem cell treatments will continue to grow and help millions of Americans find another way to treat joint pain.