With the symptoms of arthritis comes mobility, comfort and daily life issues and many are looking at other options to care for their joints. The use of stem cell therapy for arthritis
treatment is an emerging field of study in the realm of regenerative medicine and is being explored with the idea of potentially influencing inflammation, tissue repair and joint function. There have been some reported benefits for pain and physical function in some patients, however, results have been variable and additional studies are required to determine the long-term effects.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterised by inflammation in the joints and other areas of the body. The study of stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is exploring potential anti-inflammatory effects and tissue health promoting effects of some cell-based therapies. Since the course of rheumatoid arthritis varies from one person to another, it is still essential to get medical input on any new treatment strategy.
Those suffering from chronic pain will also find information on stem cell therapy for chronic pain. Researchers are studying regenerative medicine in a wide range of pain related diseases and injuries, such as orthopedic conditions. Likewise, stem cell therapy for neurological disorders is researched in the field of neurodegenerative and other types of neurological diseases. These applications are being studied and results should not be confused with proven medical interventions.
Another field that has garnered attention with regards to regenerative research is sports medicine. The use of stem cell treatment for sports injuries is an emerging field for the treatment of tissue damage in tendon, ligaments and other musculoskeletal tissues. Stem cells for athletes: The interest in stem cells for sportsmen is largely due to their potential bio-recovery properties, but results from these studies vary depending on the type of injury, source of the stem cells, treatment regimen, and study design.
Other areas of regenerative medicine involve the study of stem cell therapy for athletes and gastrointestinal diseases. For instance, stem cell transplant for ulcerative colitis is a research area concerning inflammatory bowel disease and stem cell treatment for arthritis remains a study for joint diseases. Persons contemplating these strategies should consult a licensed health care provider and the existing scientific literature regarding the benefits, risks and other options for treatment