Stem Cell Knee Cartilage Regeneration for Knee Arthritis

Our knee joints have a slippery, elastic tissue called cartilage which serves as a protective covering from our bones grinding against each other. Injuries to this cartilage are quite common and rarely heal spontaneously. This can cause further damage to the joint, leading to Knee Arthritis, which is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Conservative treatment is typically aimed at relieving pain and begins with pain relieving medications. If the disease continues to progress, the treatment plan ultimately leads to knee joint replacement surgery. Knee replacement surgery may require months of rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility.

How is Stem Cell Therapy Effective?

Adult stem cells have the potential to differentiate into cartilage, bone, fat or soft tissue. They can occupy areas of inflammation and degeneration, to  favorably influence the regeneration of cartilage in areas of damage. Stem cell therapy to regenerate the knee cartilage is an effective alternative for knee joint replacement surgery. Being a minimally invasive procedure, this has the potential to decrease inflammation, stop the progression of damage and repair the joint cartilage.

Advantages

•     Safe and natural procedure
•     Avoids the use of artificial metal implants
•     Minimally invasive procedure
•     No requirement of long stays at hospital
•     No restrictions to joint movements

The clinical outcomes of Stem Cell therapy for Knee Arthritis are very encouraging. It has successfully improved the condition of damaged knee joints and many patients have been able to avoid knee surgery as a result of this advanced technique.

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Total Knee Replacement

Myths and Facts about Total Knee Replacement

For most of us, Total Knee Replacement surgery is not something unheard of. Even though it is a commonly used term, many people who suffer from knee-pain are still doubtful about this surgical procedure. Today, we are going to bust the most common myths related to Total Knee Replacement.

MYTH #1 : One should try to delay Total Knee Replacement as much as possible.

FACT : Not True! You need not wait for the pain and discomfort to become unbearable, and then go for surgery. If you are suffering from a degenerative disease, a delay will further deform the bones and the surgery will become more complex.

MYTH #2 : Medicine will help me heal.

FACT : Your painkiller medicines will surely provide you symptomatic relief for some time, but if you are an advanced arthritis patient, you may most definitely require surgery. Also, prolonged usage of painkillers can have multiple side-effects such as peptic ulcers, renal failure etc.

MYTH #3 : Acupressure, Massage oils, Magnetic therapy will cure my arthritis.

FACT : These alternate therapies are not supported by scientific research and data. No doubt, they provide temporary relief to the patient and help in the reduction of pain and may help in delaying the surgery, but they may not be able to avert it.

MYTH #4 : Total Knee Replacement is a very painful surgery.

FACT : Thanks to modern-day medical innovations, pain management is much easier. A patient does not feel any pain during surgery. Post-surgery recovery is smooth as well. Most patients return to their everyday activities in a few weeks.

MYTH #5 : I am too old for Total Knee Replacement.

FACT : When it comes to Total Knee Replacement, age is not really a limiting factor. If you are clinically fit, TKR will not be a problem. We have patients in their 80s who have undergone total knee replacement and are enjoying a much better lifestyle.

Like all surgical procedures, there are benefits and risks in Total Knee Replacement. However, rather than being doubtful about the procedure and having misconceptions, it is recommended that you speak to an expert orthopaedic surgeon and plan your treatment.

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ACL Reconstruction

 Ligaments are strong tissue bands that help one bone connect to the other. Anterior cruciate ligament also known as ACL provides strength and stability to our knee when we move it from side to side. Sometimes an injury to the ACL may be caused due to participation in sports that include quick and sudden changes in direction. Apart from this jumping, sprinting and sudden stops can also result in tearing off of this ligament.

ACL reconstruction is a surgery that is done to replace the the anterior cruciate ligament from the patient’s knee. Such kind of surgery is generally prescribed for people who are:

• Below 25 years of age
• Have a marked anterior tibial subluxation
• Are very active
• Have additional intra-articular damage

Surgery may also to prescribed to someone who has chronic and unbearable pain.

Preparing for ACL Reconstruction

Your doctor after assessing all your medical conditions will instruct you about the Dos and Don’ts before the surgery. Discuss all your medications, if any, or another such issue with your well in advance. Avoiding alcohol and smoking a few days prior to the surgery can help. In case you are suffering from pain and swelling your doctor will help you reduce it before the surgical procedure.

ACL Reconstruction-the Procedure

ACL Reconstruction is performed under general anaesthesia. Around the knee, two small incisions are made and the surgery is performed through an arthroscope. With special small tools the ligament is cut and removed and replaced with a tendon piece from the other knee or from a donor.

The surgery can take upto a few hours and it may take a few weeks to recover fully. Some patients are asked to wear knee braces or splints for some time too, your doctor would suggest what is best for you. If you feel some pain or discomfort, discuss it with your doctor as some medicines may be given to you.

Expected Results

The time taken for recovery is different for different patients. But regular physiotherapy would help you regain strength and flexibility in your knee. After surgery there will be tremendous reduction in the pain and discomfort you used to feel earlier.

At TOSH, we have custom-made rehabilitation programmes for all our patients, that aim at retrieving the range of motion and then help with strengthening of muscles and bones.

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Hip Arthroscopy Surgery Recovery

The hip arthroscopic procedure is becoming popular across all age groups who experience non-arthritic hip pain. While the surgery is mostly non-invasive, it’s the rehabilitation period that is essential for faster recovery and pain management. After the surgery, the patient is usually discharged the next day or two based on his pain levels. During this period, a proper exercise chart will be prepared by the physiotherapist for the patient to be followed at home. The patient should be using crutches or a walker for a few weeks until recovery so that there will be no stress on the operated part.

The doctors prescribe pain medications for the pain incurred from the surgery. Even medicines are given to reduce blood clots. The complete recovery will take around 1-2 months based on the regularity of the physio sessions and exercises done at home. Physiotherapy help patients respond better to hip arthroscopy.

Tips For Faster Recovery

• The swelling on the leg can be reduced by using ice. Try to use ice from your knee to the hip region. Usually, the issue resolves within 1-2 weeks from the surgery.
• Try to use crutches for walking, climbing up or down the stairs until any further instruction from the doctor.
• Try to avoid sitting on low surfaces, crossing legs, and lifting the leg straight up.
• The sleeping position should be adjusted in a way that there is no pressure on the operated hip region.
• While getting out of bed, try to rest the operated leg on top of the unoperated leg. This helps reduce muscle usage around the hip.
• Do not sit for an extended period. Try to take short walks in between.
• Try to follow the exercise schedule regularly as they help in reducing joint stiffness and restore muscle mobility.
• Driving is not permitted until the patient can walk normally and is off from the crutches.
• Flying is only permitted only after 10-14 days after the surgery.
• Only after the complete recovery, the patients are allowed to take up their regular fitness activities or sports.

Hip arthroscopy helps many people to return to their normal activities/sports without much problem. If you are facing a problem with the hip region that needs immediate attention, then contact TOSH. One of the leading orthopedic hospital in Chennai.

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The complexity of sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is a condition caused due to insufficient amount of healthy blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout the body. Sickle cell disease causes severe bone and joint disorders, and it causes severe pain. The hip joint is vulnerable and easy to get affected by sickle cell disease. The femoral head is the most common area of bone destruction due to sickle cell disease. 

The other problems caused due to sickle cell disease would be 

• Avascular necrosis 
• Issues with thoracic and lumbar spine
• Infection with encapsulated organisms
• Problems with bone marrow 
• Dental effects 

Bone complications 

Based on the location and the extensiveness of the problems, the pain and structural damage can be identified. Patients with sickle cell disease are at risk for infections, and these might be life-threatening and interferes with the functioning and quality of life. It becomes a problem for the mobility and stability of the individual. 

Acute bone complications 

Sickle cell disease can lead to acute bone marrow necrosis, infections, stroke, and much more. Bone marrow necrosis can be diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Patients with bone marrow necrosis will have severe pain, and epidural anesthesia could be provided to control intense pain. The necrosis would generally occur in the marrow of the ribs, femur, and tibia.

Chronic bone complications

Even though sickle cell disease is a hemoglobin disorder, it is associated with an increased incidence of avascular necrosis. The blood supply to the hip joint is compromised, which in turn causes osteoarthritis of the hip joint. This condition affects younger and middle age groups. This would make the patient difficult to move the body with severe pain and stiffness. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents can be used in the initial stages, whereas, for severe conditions, injections of corticosteroids could help. The doctors would recommend decompression of the tissue in the head of the humerus. MRI scans could help detect the damage to the bone. 

Osteomyelitis is an infection on the bones. This could be either acute or chronic in adults, whereas, for kids, it would be acute. It occurs in the pelvis or vertebrae of the spine, and at times, it would occur in the feet with severe pain. A bone biopsy can determine the issue, and further treatments can be performed with the required medications.

At Tosh-Trauma & Orthopedic Hospital, the doctor and his team help to identify the root cause and provides the appropriate treatment for the complications caused by the bone due to sickle cell disease.

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