Stem cell therapy is used to treat early stage arthritis of the hip and knee joints. The cartilage on the joint surface is the barrier to arthritis and once this layer is damaged, it is likely to progress. Arthritic progression will present as pain, stiffness and loss of function in the joint. Autologous Stem Cell Therapy may be used in an attempt to encourage regeneration of this cartilage layer. This procedure is designed to help preserve the natural hip and knee joints and can delay or potentially prevent the need for a major operation, such as a hip or knee replacement.
The Autologous Stem Cell Therapy procedure is performed using arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) of the hip or knee. Only a single operation is normally required and is carried out as a day-case procedure for knee arthroscopy, and most hip arthroscopy patients will stay overnight as an in-patient. Under general anaesthesia, an aspirate of your blood and/or marrow is taken with a special needle, which is then processed to harvest the stem cells. At the same time, the keyhole surgery is started to access the hip or knee joint. The surgeon then prepares the joint tissue so that it is ready to receive the stem cells, and then the harvested stem cells, alongside a suitable scaffold, are injected through the same keyholes that are used for the keyhole surgery.
Stem Cell Therapy services are available at:
020 8341 4182
17-19 View Road, Highgate, London, N6 4DJ
enquiries@highgatehospital.co.uk