Loss of structure leads to deterioration of knee joints. This can lead to significant restrictions of participation in recreational activities for many patients with a Meniscus Tear. At the same time injuries on the knee and/or chronic pain can cause more knee instability and will pattern both lower limb and body in general. In the context above, patients have come to our specialized Stem Cell Clinic for renewing treatments with UC-MSCs because traditional methods of intervention are not effective at decelerating the loss of tissue structures in a timely manner. Injury to articular cartilage may be a problem of biogenetic origin that may not require invasive surgical intervention The restoration of such a condition as chronic pain and psychological problems are very important, and therefore alternative preservative methods for treating the joints become more relevant.
Biological Mechanisms of Injuries
A Meniscus Tear occurs due to excessive mechanical loading of fibrocartilage pads in the knee joint. Repetitive or chronic (acute = sudden) trauma can modify the construction of the collagen handrail. It is a mechanical failure, and when tissue ruptures it cannot absorb stress anymore. Thus, the friction between tibia and femur joint increases and synovial fluid elicits inflammation reaction. Patients experience severe pain and swelling over the affected area, most pronounced in patients with loading pain. The injury precedes accelerated degeneration of the unaffected articulating cartilage, and a young patient can be headed for osteoarthritis. That is the type of cellular environment, hence it will be essential for a Stem Cell Clinic to help with the consultation process regarding UC-MSCs.
Figure 1: Biological Mechanisms of A Meniscus Tear
2.Current Techniques and Their Drawbacks
A Meniscus Tear usually is treated conservatively through the use of physical therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While these methods alleviate pain in the short-term, they ignore the significant absence of blood supply in the inner zones of the meniscus. Most patients with meniscus surgeries are left with a partially resected meniscus. Ironically, a removed tissue from one of the critical load bearing structures in the knee increases the load on the joint and accelerates its degeneration. The same is true with the so-called intra-articular therapies, which do not aim to be curative, but to postpone the issue. It is no wonder that the regenerative strategies with UC-MSCs have become the gold standard for the treatment of soft tissue injuries and chronic joint pain. Contrary to most clinics that only treat the symptoms and consider the condition to be patellofemoral pain syndrome and meniscal tears, a real Stem Cell Clinic aims to repair and regenerate the structures that are injured.
3.Why Cellular Therapies Are Important
The healing powers of UC-MSCs can regenerate the injured tissue in the knee. These cells are classified as multipotent mesenchymal cells and have the unique ability to eliminate the damaging inflammation caused by a Meniscus Tear, and are, therefore, modulatory. Following a particular ultrasound-guided injection at a Stem Cell Clinic, these cells will move to the area of tissue defect. These cells are known to release, at an increasing rate, trophic growth factors, inclusive of the transforming growth factors. These factors are known to stimulate the inactive chondrocytes to synthesize new collagen. The novel paracrine signaling system of UC-MSCs promotes the microvascular networks and the sprouting of blood vessels in the previously vascularized areas. Additionally, by directly spanning the defect in cartilage, the process maintains the structural integrity.
Figure 2: Regenerative Power pf UC-MSCs
4.Thailand’s Emerging Opportunities
Thailand is positioning itself in Southeast Asia’s regenerative medicine and the clinical utilization of UC-MSCs at a rapid pace. Thailand’s well-organized and advanced health care system has increased medical tourism for orthopedic rehabilitation. Compliance with international standards for cell processing ensures the viability of cells, and every elite Stem Cell Clinic in the country is licensed for this purpose. Thai physicians are pioneering non-surgical techniques for the repair of a complicated Meniscus Tear. The world is in desperate need of a combination of affordable and improved health care with added emerging technologies. In Thailand’s large hospitals, the treatment of joint injuries will soon be based on personalized cell therapies. A new era will commence with the combination of these cells and orthopedic surgery.
5.The Healing Process
Joint preservation surgery has gone beyond the mere removal of structures that are damaged and/or diseased. The biological characteristics of UC-MSCs provide an innovative avenue for the biological healing of a highly complex Meniscus Tear. Instead of managing the problems associated with cartilage degeneration, these cells facilitate full and true restoration of the tissue. Patients are referred to a specialized Stem Cell Clinic as the only means to access these biologicals. As regenerative techniques evolve, the reliance on old, harmful techniques will diminish. Among the various new techniques, cellular technologies stand out as having the greatest impact on the life and mobility of patients with chronic knee problems.