Arthritis

Stem cells are special types of cell that occur naturally within the body. They have the ability to replicate themselves or develop into different types of cells through a process known as differentiation.

Hence stem cells have the potential to become new cells in order to perform specific functions. For example, they can differentiate to become blood cells or other types of cell that are active within the immune system. This process enables stem cells not only to play a unique role in the body’s ability to heal itself, but also to encourage the growth of healthy tissue.

Whilst stem cell therapy is relatively new, stem cells have been the subject of over 40 years of research and there have been a large number of clinical trails.  A limited number of treatments for certain medical conditions are now available in the UK.

When used for medical purposes, research suggests stem cells can accelerate tissue repair, stimulate tissue regeneration, decrease inflammation, and stimulate new blood vessel growth.

There are number of effective treatments for arthritis, which your doctor can advise upon. Vitamins with anti-inflammatory properties can help with mild symptoms. Supplements include Vitamin D, Glucosamine* and Chondroitin Sulfate, Turmeric, and Omega 3.

More severe cases may require steroids or surgery. However, those patients seeking alternatives to surgery may choose stem cell therapies, where appropriate.

Stem cell research has shown promising results. For example, in 2020 a meta-analysis of stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee concluded that it “considerably reduces pain with no obvious additional side effects”.

* NOTE: Always seek medical advice before taking glucosamine,
which is derived from shellfish

Stem cell therapy may be considered for people who require an alternative approach to established procedures. It may be suitable for patients aged 18 to 75 or children in special circumstances, whose condition is stable enough to undergo treatment.

The first stage is to book a consultation with a qualified medical practitioner, who will assess your medical history in order to potentially make a pre-approval application. A multi-disciplinary panel of experts will then consider your application.

If you application is approved, you will then be invited undergo a full health screening and detailed tests to ensure stem cell treatment is an appropriate approach for you. Provided you pass the assessment criteria, you may then begin treatment.

Patients generally require a preparation period that may involve a number of procedures to ensure your regenerative system is at its most receptive. The stem cells can typically then be injected into the body, which depending on the nature of your condition can either be done by intra-tissue injection.

The stem cells may be either ‘autologous’ or ‘allogeneic’. Autologous stem cells are processed after being harvested from tissue from the patient’s own body, whereas allogeneic stem cells are cultured in a laboratory from a donated source. In our clinics we only use ‘Autologous’ tissue- derived cells. ‘Allogeneic’ cells are currently used for research purposes, or by the NHS for bone marrow transplantation.

Stem cell therapies are classed as nouvelle treatments or ‘specials’, which are a permissible category of medicines that are available to meet the clinical needs of an individual patient.
The progress of stem cell patients is carefully monitored and the treating team have a regulatory duty to report any relevant findings to the responsible research NHS Body, with a view to stem cell therapy becoming a standardised licensed treatment in the future.