Joint pain is a widespread health problem affecting millions of people, often caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or sports injuries.

These conditions cause severe pain, reduced mobility, and reduced quality of life. Traditional treatments, including anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and even joint replacement, often provide only temporary relief and come with their own risks.

Now, stem cell therapy is emerging as a promising option that uses the body’s natural healing abilities to regenerate joint tissues, especially cartilage, which is essential for joint function and mobility.

“Stem cell therapy takes advantage of the body’s natural ability to repair damaged tissue,” said Dr. Sharmila Tulpule, Founder of OrthoBiologics Biotech.

“Stem cells, specifically mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), taken from a patient’s bone marrow or adipose tissue can reduce inflammation, regenerate cartilage, and reverse degenerative changes in joints,” said Dr. Tulpule. “Can potentially slow down or even reverse.”

How do stem cells work for joint pain?

The regenerative capacity of stem cells, particularly MSCs, forms the foundation of this therapy. Stem cells are unique cells that can transform into different types of cells in the body.

Acting as the body’s natural repair system, they can help treat a variety of diseases and health conditions.

Mesenchymal stem cells, which can transform into different types of cells, are able to regenerate cartilage and reduce inflammation when injected into a damaged joint.

They work through a combination of mechanisms:

Cartilage Regeneration: Cartilage, which supports joints, has a limited ability to repair itself due to lack of blood supply. “MSCs have the unique ability to become chondrocytes, the cells that form and maintain healthy cartilage,” Dr. Tulpule said.

This ability can make a difference in conditions such as osteoarthritis, where cartilage breakdown causes significant pain and limited mobility.

Anti-inflammatory effect: Research now supports that osteoarthritis is driven by chronic inflammation. This protective action helps maintain joint health and reduces the likelihood of further degeneration.

Stem cell therapy is showing positive results in a number of joint disorders:

Osteoarthritis (OA): The most common type of arthritis, OA, involves chronic inflammation and gradual degradation of cartilage. Stem cell therapy has the potential to halt or reverse these degenerative changes.

Sports injuries: Athletes are increasingly turning to stem cell therapy to treat joint injuries such as ligament tears, meniscus injuries and cartilage damage. “Stem cells allow athletes to recover faster with minimal downtime, allowing them to return to their sport and potentially prolong their careers,” Dr. Tulpule explained.

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy

The minimally invasive approach of stem cell therapy is one of its major benefits. Unlike joint replacement surgery, which carries risks such as infection, blood clots and extended recovery periods, stem cell therapy is usually given through a direct injection.

Another major benefit is the long-term relief that stem cell therapy provides by addressing the root cause of joint pathology, rather than just providing temporary symptom relief, as many conventional treatments do.