A patient with problems with her big toe sends us the following question:
I suffer from hallux rigidus in the final stadium. Are stem cells able to help at all in this condition? In addition, I am 55 years old. Can cartilage regenerate in this age?
As a general rule stem cells can help in all ages and disease stages. The extent of this improvement of course depends on progress of the disease and its stage.
Hallux rigidus is about osteoarthritis of the big toe joint, whereas the so-called hallux valgus refers to a deformity of the big toe. The hammer toe – also called claw toe – consists in a permanent flexed position of the toe affected. These joint diseases are especially caused by inappropriate footwear and often restrict mobility massively due to associated pain.
In a recent scientific study about treatment of joint diseases with autologous stem cells extracted from fat tissue pain reduction, increased mobility, and therewith an improvement of quality of life could be achieved. A possible regeneration of cartilage resulting from stem cell treatment is discussed.
Joint diseases like those mentioned above are up to now – depending on the cause – treated with weight loss, physiotherapy, special training, and in very advanced stages often through implantation of an artificial joint, which is never able to fully replace a natural one.
The joint treatments with stem cells we offer in our clinic can lead to symptom relief and could possibly also treat the reason due to cartilage regeneration in the joint.
Stem cells needed for the therapy are obtained from the patient’s own fat, which is harvested gently with microcannulas. Immediately after extraction stem cells are injected in the area of the joint concerned or administered by infusion. The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. Thus the patient is mobile after the procedure and an inpatient stay is superfluous.
DDr. Heinrich, MD