Stem Cell for Osteorthritis in India

Our partners have bought this holistic approach to India and aim at providing quality and affordable treatment.

Cost of Stem Cell Treatment for Osteoarthritis in India

The price of stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis is not much as compared to knee replacement therapy. Though it ranges from $5000 - $50,000 in the USA, the cost is much lower in India.

Here you would not only save around 40% but, can also enjoy a vacation in a tropical paradise.

*The exact cost can only be known after a medical examination.

Stem Cell Therapy for Cartilage Regeneration

The above picture shows the effect of stem cell therapy in a late-stage osteoarthritis knee patient.

The pre-treatment (left) picture shows kissing bone phenomena where the bones are touching each other due to severe cartilage disruption.

The post-treatment (right) picture shows the knee 14 months after the stem cell treatment. The bones have drifted much apart due to cartilage regeneration.

The patient has improved symptoms and can walk without any discomfort and pain.

The Right Time for Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell treatment for Osteoarthritis can be considered at any stage of the disease. It helps in rejuvenating the chondrocytes in the affected area and can significantly improve the patient's condition.^[1]

Positive Effects of Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis Knee

The different stages of OA showing possible interventions that can be taken along with the stem cell therapy are indicated in this diagram below:

Stem Cell and Osteoarthritis stages

Therefore, an ideal patient for stem cell therapy is an early-stage patient. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) can effectively treat osteoarthritis. These contain different kinds of cells including adipose-derived stem cells.

Adipose stem cells can induce chondrocyte formation which slows down or reverses OA progression. Along with it, proper lifestyle and dietary habits should be maintained.

But, if the disease has progressed in the end-stage, then knee replacement may be the only solution left. In this case, stem cells help in pain management and improve the quality of life.

Stem Cell Therapy and PRP for Osteoarthritis

Stem cell therapy can also be combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to treat osteoarthritis patients. PRP can increase the efficacy of adult mesenchymal stem cells in the following ways:

• Platelets provide much-needed growth factors that contribute to the functionality of stem cells^[2]
• The PRP growth factors regulate endogenous hyaluronic acid synthesis which protects the cartilage and lubricates joints.
• It also secreted hyaluronic acid and induces hepatocyte growth factor production which helps in wound healing.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis (joint pain). It occurs due to the wear-and-tear of cartilage surrounding the bone.

Osteoarthritis can occur in any part of the body, however, it commonly affects knee joints, fingers, hips, and spine.^[3]

Stages of OA

Osteoarthritis can be broadly classified in 3 major stages:

Causes of Osteoarthritis

Causes of Osteoarthritis

In osteoarthritic patients, the cartilage gradually wears down due to movement which causes friction during joint movement. Major reasons for osteoarthritis are attributed to:

Symptoms

People at Risk

You can be at risk if you are:

Rheumatoid Arthritis Vs Osteoarthritis

	RA	OA
Diagnosis	Autoimmune disease affecting joints[8]	Mechanical wear and tear of cartilage
Age	Any	Usually old age
Progression	Rapid (Few months)	Slow (Over years)
Symptoms	Swollen and painful joints with stiffness	Painful and tender joints; no swelling
Pattern	Symmetrical; Affect joints on both sides of the body	Asymmetrical; Begins on one side of the body
Morning Stiffness	Usually lasts an hour	Lasts < an hour; returns after activity

Challenges and Solutions with Stem Cell Therapy

There are certain challenges with biologic therapy that are overcome by stem cell science. Some of them are:

Stem Cell Potency Decreases With Age

The regeneration and differentiation power of stem cells decreases with age.^[9] Therefore autologous stem cell treatment may not be an effective treatment.

Increased Inflammatory-Environment in OA Joints

Certain inflammation-causing cytokines are present in the osteoarthritic joints. These can interfere with the mechanism of action of the stem cells.

Excessive Cartilage Loss During Late-Stage Osteoarthritis

Stem cells are effective during an early stage and can prevent excessive cartilage. Thus, it can delay or halt progression in late-stage OA.

Prerequisites

• Your and your attendant's COVID negative report.
• Confirmed osteoarthritis diagnosis from a doctor, preferably with a doctor's summary.
• Lab reports including radiation reports, blood tests.
• Patient medical history especially if you have undergone or waiting for any surgical procedure.
• Any ongoing medicines: blood thinners, anti-hypertensive or anti-diabetic drugs, etc.

Please provide the correct information as these may affect the stem cells' dosage during the treatment.

Once you are approved for the treatment, your BMI, RFT, coagulation profile, biomarkers, etc are checked and recorded.

Procedure for Stem cells for Osteoarthritis

Once our doctor confirms your eligibility for the stem cell procedure, they will begin your treatment. Your stem cell arthritis treatment in India will proceed like this:

Session 1:  Stem cell extraction and priming*

The doctor will extract your stem cells using the liposuction technique. After treatment, you will receive a priming dose. This will help in preparing your body for stem cell treatment.

Sometimes an OA patient is very old and thin, and an optimal amount of fat cells may be missing. In this case, allogenic stem cells are used.

Session 2: Dose 1

It will take around 3-4 weeks to prepare your dose from the extracted cells. This dose is calculated according to the severity of your condition, your BMI, etc. Therefore, every patient has their own dose requirements.

You will receive intra-articular (IA) injection^[10] around the affected joints. If you suffer from muscle wasting, then IV injections may be given.

Session 3: Dose 2

After around 1-15 days of dose 1, you will receive your second dose.

Session 4: Dose 3

Your treatment will complete with the third. However, depending on your body's need and disease prognosis, extra sessions may be required. The doctor will inform you about the process.

Precautions

There are no side effects of stem cell therapy treatment, but certain lifestyle changes and precautions will fasten up your recovery.

• Stop anticoagulants at least 3-4 days before beginning stem cells treatment
• Avoid boarding a flight for 24-48 hrs of your stem cell dosing
• Begin physiotherapy and light exercise simultaneously with stem cell therapy.
• Do not lift heavyweight for at least 1 week after the treatment as it may cause pain or clotting
• Avoid vigorous exercise and sports

Things to keep in mind:

• Weight management

In the case of obese patients, weight management is important. The excess weight puts undue pressure on the weight-bearing joints, especially the knees and hips. This further increases the wear-and-tear of the cartilage.

• Physiotherapy

Begin physiotherapy as soon as possible as it helps in better prognosis with stem cell therapy in osteoarthritic patients.

In-house physiotherapy sessions are available on request with us. You can also opt for physiotherapy sessions from a specialized physiotherapy clinic in Chandigarh, owned by a renowned Olympian-Abhinav Bindra.

Patient Testimonial

Megha from Uttar Pradesh, India, suffered from trauma-induced osteoarthritis in her left knee.

She experienced extreme pain while performing her daily chores. Even climbing 10-stairs was a herculean task for her.

She received her stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis which helped in her cartilage regeneration.

After 2 sessions of stem cell therapy, she had a tremendous improvement in her conditions. Now she is able to climb 3 floors without a flinch and is enjoying her active life now

A 79-year patient-JioDevika Desai, from Gujarat, was suffering from Osteoarthritis for the past 15-16 years.

Her son, Mr. Desai, agreed for stem cell therapy in India for osteoarthritis since his mother did not want to have a total knee replacement.

After 2 weeks of the first dose, Mrs. Desai's knee pain has subsided. Even the swelling around the joints has been reduced. The family is happy with the results and highly recommends stem cell treatment for Osteoarthritis.

Read more about stem cell treatment in India and disease treatment we offer.

References