Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis, Joint Problems and Sports Injuries

Stem cells from one’s own body fat provide a new treatment option for osteoarthritis, cartilage damage, and sports injuries. Knee joints, hip joints, the joints of the shoulders, hands, and fingers, as well as the spine can be treated. Stem cell therapy is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The aim of the treatment is to regenerate and retain the natural joint, relieve pain, and restore mobility.

At a Glance

Surgery duration: 1 to 3 hours (outpatient)
Anesthesia: Exclusively local anesthesia (tumescent anesthesia)
Mobility: Directly after surgery
Preliminary examinations: Blood test, X-ray/MRI of the joint, further examinations depending on the patiepent’s state of health
Check-ups: To be arranged on an individual basis

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Using Autologous Stem Cells to Treat Osteoarthritis, Deteriorated Cartilages, and Joint Problems

As a consequence of overweight and excessive stress during sports, many people already suffer from joint problems such as cartilage damage, joint wear, osteoarthritis, and injuries at a relatively young age. In most cases, the knee, shoulder and finger joints are affected, and in older persons, also the hip joints and spine.

Apart from weight loss, only physiotherapy, special training or symptomatic pain therapy are recommended for diseases described in medicine as osteoarthritis (also known as arthritis, degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, osteoarthrosis). Subsequently, the progress is observed. If the condition worsens, an artificial joint (joint implant) is inserted.

However, an artificial joint can never replace a natural one. Surgery lasting several hours under general anesthesia is complicated, laborious and expensive. In many cases, blood transfusions are necessary.

Stem Cells Instead of Joint Prosthesis

The regenerative powers of stem cells have been used in veterinary medicine for some time now. Racehorses and dogs suffering from joint problems and sports injuries are treated with stem cells obtained from the fat of these animals. Stem cells extracted from the animals’ autologous fat appear to be suited for the regeneration of damaged joints, bones and cartilages.

Results from studies on humans sound promising: Patients treated with stem cells from autologous fat stated that they suffered less pain and that their mobility had increased considerably. If damaged joints are treated early with stem cells, patients could be given a better quality of life and furthermore be spared the necessity of having an artificial joint for the time being.

In my hair salon, I am constantly on my feet. This has put my knees on my knees and I suffered from pain. I wanted to avoid knee surgers and therefore decided to undergo the treatment with fat stem cells. Now I am free of pain and able to ski and bike again. I recommend Clinic DDr. Heinrich®.
Karl “Charly” Plasil, OSSIG hairstyle & beauty

Stem cells and progenitor cells of the connective tissue, so-called mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), may play a pivotal role in the regeneration of deteriorated cartilages, bones and joints. Every person has enough of these vital cells, since fat tissue contains them in large quantities. Artificial reproduction of them in laboratories is therefore unnecessary.

Stem Cell Therapy for Sports Injuries

For torn muscle fibers and also extremely painful sports injuries requiring a longer healing period, there are indications that stem cells have the potential to speed up regeneration and healing.

During treatment, a small quantity of fat is extracted with microcannulas, using local anesthesia, from which the stem cells are then isolated. Immediately afterwards, the stem cells are usually injected into the joint area affected or injured areas, for example, on knees, hips, hands, or fingers. Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis. The patient is fully mobile afterwards.

Since childhood I had to deal with knee and hip joint problems due to a skiing accident. Periodic joint inflammations and falls forced me to limit activities such as mountain climbing and skiing. In my case the fat stem cell therapy at the clinic of DDr. Heinrich really paid off. Today I have much less pain and I am looking forward to swimming, cycling, as well as hiking and traveling.
Mr. Sch., Vienna

My knee problems started in 2012. I had pain when walking and sleeping. Some months ago I had my knee treatment with fat stem cells by DDr. Heinrich. 8 days later I noticed an improvement. Today I am free of pain and can finally sleep again peacefully. In addition, I regained power and passion to run my own flea market booth again.
Mrs. F., Burgenland

I suddenly got problems with my knee joint. In the end, I suffered from severe knee pain and I could barely descend stairs. After an unsuccessful injection therapy I saw a TV report about a stem cell therapy carried out by DDr. Heinrich. A few weeks after the procedure the effect became apparent: My pain has almost completely disappeared. Most of all I am glad that I can finally go for a walk without any pain again.
Anna L., Vienna

I play basketball since I was young. Unfortunately, I had to quit the National League season prematurely because of knee pain. Conventional treatments did not lead to improvement. Then I saw my chance with fat stem cells. Today I am working on my comeback. I am very happy about the result and the way I was treated by DDr. Heinrich and his team.
Max N., professional basketball player

Since the diagnosis “osteoarthritis” I had knee pain when climbing stairs, walking, and at night. As physiotherapy and injections into the knee did not bring lasting relief, I got my knee treated with stem cells by DDr. Heinrich. Soon after the treatment, my symptoms had improved. Today I can walk again without any pain. I am very grateful to DDr. Heinrich.
Mrs. K.

I have been suffering from my knee problems for years. Then a treatment with body’s own fat stem cells carried out DDr. Heinrich helped me. My knee got much better and I don’t have persistent pain in my knee any more.
Mrs. P., Vienna

For more than a year I struggled with problems in the wrist. Strong pain limited me fine motor work, I had to stop cycling, biking, and home improvement. Then I saw a TV report about the stem cell treatment offered by DDr. Heinrich and decided for the treatment. A few days after surgery I noticed an improvement. Whether in motion or at rest, everything is now possible again.
Gerald D., 53

For several years, I suffered from knee pain when climbing stairs and moving my body. I could no longer do gymnastics because of osteoarthritis. Then I learned about the stem cell treatment for damaged joints. The episodes of pain have not occurred again since the treatment. A few days after surgery, the joint felt much better and the knee noises are almost gone. Thank you DDr. Heinrich for this improvement of my well-being.
Christa S.

The regenerative effect should begin in the weeks following treatment. A potential repeat treatment session would take place several months after the initial treatment, depending on the extent of symptom improvements.

Kindly note that no guarantees or promise of cure can be given in medicine generally; this also applies to advanced treatments such as stem cell therapy. Although we carry out your surgery with the greatest care and have achieved excellent results in part with stem cell treatment, adult stem cells are not a universal remedy.

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Scientific Information

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This page serves the purpose of information only and is not to be understood as medical advice. We would like to expressly point out that a cure cannot be guaranteed. Stem cell therapy is an advanced procedure, which has only recently been applied worldwide and for which the long-term studies and reliable documentation on successes, risks and side effects required for a recognized procedure are not yet available.

The legislation on stem cell therapies and conducting of new therapies varies from country to country worldwide. In our clinic in Austria we only carry out the treatments permitted under the applicable legal situation. For other treatments we have worldwide contacts in our cooperation network and can support the selection of specialized medical facilities abroad.