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.

I suffered from worsening knee pain for 5 years. My wish was to be able to live my everyday life again without severe restrictions. After careful consideration, I decided to undergo stem cell treatment. The pain subsided continually after the procedure. Now I am able to climb stairs, run, and visit the gym – no match for the condition prior to the treatment! I would definitely do the surgery again.

Mrs. E., 57

Drei Jahre lang litt ich unter Schmerzen in den Hüftgelenken. Ich konnte nur mühsam Spazieren, Wandern und Schwimmen und musste in der Arbeit sitzen. Infiltrationen brachten leider keine Linderung. Dann erfuhr ich von DDr. Heinrich und seiner Stammzelltherapie. Ich entschied mich für die Hüftbehandlung mit Stammzellen und bin heute glücklich über das Ergebnis. Die Schmerzen sind praktisch gänzlich verschwunden!

Ingrid M., Vienna

For several years I could hardly move my knees while walking, standing, climbing stairs, and getting out of the car. Physical therapy and infiltration unfortunately brought no relief. After the joint treatment with my stem cells I can now move my knees again.

Mr. G., 64

I suffered from knee problems for about 15 years when skiing, playing tennis, or running. I did not want to constantly take pain medicine and therefore contacted the Viennese doctor DDr. Heinrich. I noticed significant improvements in the knee already a few weeks after the treatment. Now I can even play tennis and do gymnastics again. This spring I was able to enjoy the 3-day bike ride without any pain and painkillers.

Christa K., Vienna

For about 8 years I was struggling with pain in my knees. Sitting for long periods of time was no longer possible and I had to restrict my beloved hiking tours in the mountains. After a treatment of my knee joints with body’s own fat stem cells at the clinic of DDr. Heinrich, I’m finally much more flexible today. I can climb stairs again without any pain and I am able to go hiking in the nature.

Mrs. F., Carinthia

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

I had permanent pain in the knees and the spine and could only walk short distances. Hiking, skiing, and cycling were impossible. My relatives often helped me at home. I felt in good hands in the Clinic DDr. Heinrich®. After the procedure my condition got better and better. The knees barely hurt after 3 weeks, the pain in the spine faded. I am very glad that I can go for light walks again!

Gertraud K.

For about 7 years I was suffering from knee pain, which was getting worse and worse. Climbing stairs and going downhill caused severe pain in the knees. Injection of hyaluronic acid only helped temporarily. After the stem cell treatment of my knees in Clinic DDr. Heinrich®, the stinging pain disappeared. I would do the surgery again – my recommendation!

Mrs. A., Vorarlberg

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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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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.