Arthritis, which affects nearly 60 million people in this country, can make everyday activities very difficult, from walking and climbing stairs to lifting and simply getting dressed. Many arthritis sufferers who have seemingly exhausted all options may believe surgery is the only answer. However, there are non-surgical interventions that come with no risk, minimal recovery time, and no reliance on opioids.
Minimally invasive treatments such as regenerative medicine can relieve arthritis pain, improve function, and help you recover faster with less disruption to daily life.
Benefits of Non‑Surgical Therapies For Arthritis
From low risk to shorter downtimes, there are many perks to trying regenerative medicine therapies for arthritis pain.
- Low risk – Less risk of infection, no need for general anesthesia, and no large incisions.
- Short downtime – Many regenerative medicine treatments are done on an out-patient basis so you can resume light activity within days.
- Regenerative potential – These non-invasive therapies don’t simply mask pain: they actually promote tissue healing to slow down degeneration and restore function.
- Delay or avoid surgery – A good choice for those who aren’t good candidates for joint replacement or who just want to extend the lifespan of their natural joint.
A Look at Non‑Surgical and Minimally Invasive Options
Check out some popular regenerative medicine treatments that could provide you with positive results:
- Platelet‑Rich Plasma (PRP): This involves an injection of concentrated platelets derived from your own blood into arthritic joints to stimulate healing. This can also reduce inflammation and actually improve cartilage health. Studies show that patients with knee osteoarthritis have reported between six and 12 months of pain relief after treatment with PRP.
- Stem Cell Therapies: This involves the use of your own mesenchymal stem cells to experience anti‑inflammatory effects and growth factor support for tissue repair. Such therapies have been shown to improve pain, function, and even slow cartilage degradation.
- Prolotherapy: The goal of this therapy is to provoke a mild healing response by injecting a mild irritant into ligaments, tendons, or joint areas. Over time, this may strengthen supporting tissues and lessen pain.
- Lifestyle and Physical Therapy: From weight management and physical therapy to low‑impact exercise and dietary adjustments, mild forms of arthritis can be relieved over time.
Are You a Good Candidate?
Non‑surgical arthritis relief works best when:
- Arthritis is in early to moderate stages, with some of the cartilage still intact
- Pain or stiffness interferes with quality of life, but full joint replacement isn’t desired or necessary at this time
- No significant deformities or structural joint instabilities yet
- The patient is in good overall health, and is willing to commit to rehab, weight management, and repeated treatments if necessary
Arthritis may get in the way of daily activities, but it doesn’t necessary mean surgery is the only answer. Advances in regenerative medicine make it possible to relieve pain, restore function, and improve quality of life with less risk and much less downtime. Thanks to therapies such as PRP and stem cell‑based treatments, many arthritis sufferers can avoid or delay joint replacement.
Contact the Regenerative Medicine Institute
Contact us today at (248) 771-1300 for a personalized assessment and treatment plan tailored to your particular arthritis condition and goals.
By Regenerative Medicine Institute of Michigan
Board-certified Doctors – Aaron Greenberg, DO and Eduardo José Otero Loperena, MD