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Physical activities bring joy and fulfillment to people’s lives. Whether it’s dancing, hiking or spending time with loved ones – these experiences make life meaningful. Unfortunately, one thing can stand in the way of living an active and fulfilling life – dealing with joint pain or osteoarthritis (OA). This serious condition often limits people’s abilities and the pursuit of their goals.
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease or “degenerative arthritis,” is a condition most commonly found in the hands, hips, and knees, where the cartilage in a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change, causing movement limitations , pain and discomfort. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, osteoarthritis affects an estimated 32.5 million adults in the United States.
OA patients traditionally manage their symptoms with increased physical activity, muscle-strengthening exercises, weight loss, over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription medications, or surgery for more advanced disease. However, regenerative medicine offers an unconventional approach – one alternative treatment for osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases. It is establishing itself as the best option for patients suffering from this condition, aiming to slow the progression of the condition and improve their quality of life.
In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Immunotherapy Regenerative Medicine pioneers the research and implementation of regenerative medicine, especially in the treatment of various diseases such as autoimmune diseases, aging diseases and other degenerative diseases. dr Ernesto Romero leads this task with his 20 years of professional experience in this field.
The Advantage of Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving method of harnessing the body’s ability to heal and regenerate. These are therapeutic strategies that stimulate and enhance the body’s natural healing processes and aim to restore the function and structure of damaged tissues and organs.
When treating osteoarthritis, regenerative medicine focuses on healing and repairing the affected tissue rather than just treating the symptoms. Traditional treatments such as analgesics, corticosteroids, botulinum toxin, and hyaluronic acid may provide temporary pain relief but do not address the underlying cause. In contrast, regenerative medicine aims to heal damaged tissues to provide an alternative and longer-term solution to joint pain.
That said, regenerative therapies, according to Dr. Romero are also minimally invasive and have fewer side effects compared to surgical procedures, allowing patients a quicker recovery time so they can return to their normal activities sooner.
The regenerative medicine approach to osteoarthritis
Two types of intra-articular injection therapies are used in regenerative medicine: platelet-rich plasma enriched with bioactive proteins (PRP-B) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). according to dr Romero, both treatments have shown promising results.
In PRP-B therapy, the patient’s own blood platelets are injected into the affected joint. dr Romero explains that injecting blood-borne PRP-B growth factors into an injured area helps the tissue repair itself by causing new cells to form. In this way, PRP-B could help reverse existing tissue damage.
In PRP-B therapy, a concentrated solution of these platelets is made from the patient’s blood and injected into the painful joint. This therapy has shown significant effectiveness in treating joint injuries and diseases, particularly those that have not healed over time.
On the other hand, there is also MSC therapy, or therapy that uses mesenchymal stem cells or multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into different cell types, including bone cells, cartilage cells, and fat cells. These cells are injected directly into the affected joint, tendon, or ligament, where they help repair the damaged tissue. MSC therapy is particularly beneficial for patients with spinal injuries and offers a high success rate in relieving persistent pain in the lumbar or cervical region.
dr Romero explains: “The main difference between the two is that with MSC treatment, cells directly repair the damaged area, while PRP-B treatment relies more on plasma providing factors that support regeneration in the affected area.”
The Advantage of Immunotherapy Regenerative Medicine
Immunotherapy Regenerative Medicine administers high-level targeted PRP and MSC therapies among his patients who suffer from unwanted arthrosis. The pioneering stem cell clinic in Mexico is at the forefront of pioneering, offering state-of-the-art joint regeneration treatments at the highest level.
In addition, the company has earned a reputation for providing world-class therapies, tailored to the individual needs of patients, with a commitment to excellence and personalized care. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, the team invests significant time and effort in getting to know each patient thoroughly and committed to providing personalized care.
“Every body has its own unique set of circumstances. One that fits with the other is sometimes complicated with the other, so we have developed a comprehensive therapy plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual.” dr Romero adds.
He envisions a future where these disorders are not barriers to an active lifestyle, but mere hurdles that can be managed appropriately. “Thanks to advances in regenerative medicine, we can no longer just treat the symptoms, but also address the root cause of pain and dysfunction.” summarizes Dr. Romero together.
With these carefully studied and tested regenerative-based joint treatments, there is now no way that osteoarthritis and other joint diseases are preventing people from enjoying life.