Stem Cell Treatment for Knee Pain and Injuries

1. Patient Selection Criteria

Ideal Candidates:

• Individuals with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.
• Individuals with meniscal tears, ligament injuries (e.g., ACL, MCL), or tendinopathy.
• Athletes and active individuals seeking to enhance recovery, avoid surgery, or enhance recovery after surgery.

Considerations:

• Patients should be in generally good health, with no active infections or contraindicated conditions.

Contraindications:

• Infections or Inflammation: Active infections or inflammation in or around the knee joint.
• Allergic Reactions: A history of severe allergies to injectables, exosome products, or anesthetics should be assessed.
• Severe Degeneration: Severe degenerative changes requiring surgical intervention (e.g., total knee replacement).
• Chronic Conditions: Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, blood clotting disorders, or severe autoimmune diseases should be carefully evaluated or excluded.

2. Preparation

Clinic Preparation:

• Sterile Environment: Ensure a sterile treatment area with all instruments and surfaces disinfected.
• Required Equipment: Required equipment includes biologics product vials, sterile syringes, ultrasound for guidance, and antiseptic solutions.

Patient Preparation:

• Informed Consent: Educate the patient about the procedure, benefits, risks, and post-care expectations. Address their questions or concerns.
• Anesthesia Options: Offer local anesthesia for comfort, allowing sufficient time for it to take effect (5–15 minutes for topical, 2–5 minutes for injectable).
• Skin Preparation: Cleanse the knee area thoroughly with antiseptic to reduce infection risks.

Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain and Injuries

Purpose

Stem cell therapy offers a revolutionary approach to treating knee pain and injuries by promoting cartilage regeneration, reducing inflammation, and improving joint function. This protocol outlines a step-by-step guide for delivering intra-articular (joint) and intra-muscular (IM) treatments to address common knee conditions such as osteoarthritis, meniscal injuries, and ligament tears.

1. Patient Selection Criteria

Ideal Candidates:

• Patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.
• Individuals with meniscal tears, ligament injuries (e.g., ACL, MCL), or tendinopathy.
• Athletes and active individuals seeking to enhance recovery and avoid surgery.

Contraindications:

• Active infections in or around the knee joint.
• Severe degenerative changes requiring surgical intervention (e.g., total knee replacement).
• Patients with uncontrolled chronic conditions, such as diabetes or clotting disorders, without prior evaluation.

2. Preparation

Clinic Preparation:

• Ensure a sterile treatment area with all instruments and surfaces disinfected.
• Required equipment includes stem cell product vials, sterile syringes, ultrasound for guidance, and antiseptic solutions.

Patient Preparation:

• Informed Consent: Educate the patient about the procedure, benefits, risks, and post-care expectations. Address their questions or concerns.
• Anesthesia Options: Offer local anesthesia for comfort, allowing sufficient time for it to take effect (5–15 minutes for topical, 2–5 minutes for injectable).
• Skin Preparation: Cleanse the knee area thoroughly with antiseptic to reduce infection risks.

3. Dosage and Administration

Treatment Types:

• Intra-Articular Therapy: Targeted injection into the knee joint cavity for cartilage regeneration and pain relief.
• Intra-Muscular Therapy: Focuses on soft tissue injuries, such as quadriceps or patellar tendinopathy.

Injection Protocol:

• Use ultrasound guidance to locate and mark the injection site.
• Draw the appropriate volume of stem cell product (e.g., 1–3 mL) into a sterile syringe.
• For intra-articular treatments, insert the needle into the knee joint space (e.g., medial or lateral approach) under ultrasound guidance, and inject slowly.
• For intra-muscular treatments, inject directly into the injured or inflamed muscle or tendon. Common injection sites are the lower quadricep femoris and the rectus femoris.
• Apply gentle pressure to the injection site afterward and observe for immediate reactions.

4. Post-Treatment Care

Immediate Instructions:

• Recommend the patient avoid high-impact activities or strenuous movements for 24–48 hours post-treatment.
• Notify the patient that mild swelling, discomfort, or bruising at the injection site is common and usually resolves within a few days.
• Suggest acetaminophen for pain relief; avoid NSAIDs to preserve the inflammatory phase critical for healing.
• Schedule a follow-up appointment 2–4 weeks after the procedure to assess pain levels, mobility, and overall recovery.

5. Safety Precautions

• Observe the patient for 10–15 minutes post-procedure to ensure no adverse reactions such as allergic responses or excessive discomfort.
• Emergency preparedness includes having epinephrine and antihistamines on hand.
• Maintain strict aseptic techniques during all stages of the procedure to minimize infection risks.

6. Follow-Up

Initial Follow-Up:

• Evaluate the patient’s progress during the first follow-up visit, focusing on pain reduction, joint mobility, and functionality.
• Discuss whether additional sessions may be needed based on clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

Long-Term Monitoring:

• Recommend regular check-ins over 6–12 months to track progress and address new or recurring symptoms.
• Additional treatments may be scheduled 4–6 weeks apart for optimal results, depending on the patient’s response.

Summary

Biologics therapy is a highly effective treatment for knee pain and injuries, offering a non-surgical alternative to restore joint health and function. By following this structured protocol, medical professionals can ensure safe, personalized care, helping patients return to their active lifestyles.