Treat Osteoarthritis Without Pain Meds or Surgery

According to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults has Arthritis

Over 30 million US Adults Suffer from Osteoarthritis

In the United States, according to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults has arthritis. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis that patients can be diagnosed with, but the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis [1].

  • Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 1.36 million adults in the U.S. [1]
  • This article will focus on the more than 32.5 million US adults who have osteoarthritis [1].

About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects areas of the body including the hands, lower back, neck, and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, and feet [3]. Although it often occurs over time, family history, obesity, or previous injury will put people at a higher risk for developing osteoarthritis. It is also more common in women than in men [2].

Those affected with osteoarthritis experience pain, stiffness, swelling, redness, and decreased range of motion in their joints, sometimes being unable to do the activities they love without suffering [2].

This condition often happens from wear and tear to the cartilage surrounding the joints over time. Regenexx procedures may present a non-surgical solution to osteoarthritis pain by using your body’s own cells in critical areas to help the body heal itself.

When Cartilage No Longer Cushions Joints

Cartilage functions as a cushion on the ends of your bones, allowing nearly frictionless joint motion. In the image you can see how osteoarthritis can affect a knee joint and cartilage within it [4].

The Importance of Early Treatment

Of those who develop arthritis, 85% will suffer joint damage within the first two years of onset, according to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center [5]. If left untreated, all forms of arthritis can cause disability and impact quality of life. Surgery to replace joints may even be required, as well as pain medication and drastic lifestyle changes [6].

Prolonged Use of OTC Pain Relievers Has Its Own Risks

Many people rely on over the counter or prescription medication to mask arthritis pain and avoid surgery or other treatment, not fully recognizing it as a short-term “Band-Aid” with its own risks. It is widely believed that over-the-counter pain relievers are harmless, but repeated use of these drugs can damage your stomach, kidneys, liver, or heart [7].

Relying on medication does nothing to repair the damage already done to worn down cartilage and will only allow more damage and pain to occur in the long run.

Recovery Time Regenexx Procedure Vs. Joint Replacement Surgery

Regenexx doctors can share outcomes data for tens of thousands of Regenexx procedures. It is a logical step before considering invasive surgery.

The recovery times from a non-surgical Regenexx procedure allow patients to get back to the things they love faster. A patient undergoing a Regenexx procedure on the knee, walks out after the outpatient procedure and can typically resume normal daily activities within 2 weeks. By 12 weeks most patients can resume more strenuous activities (hiking, gardening, biking, etc.).

Compare that with total knee replacement surgery that can have patients still avoiding normal daily activities 12 weeks into recovery. In fact, it often can take 6 months to a year before a patient’s surgically replaced knee is fully healed and as strong as it can be again [8].  Because it is surgery, there are also far more potential complications, infections, and risks with a joint replacement procedure.

Your Regenexx doctors will advise whether you are a candidate for Regenexx procedures in your new patient exam. We will do a comprehensive history and physical exam as well as reviewing your diagnostic studies.

Regenexx: An Alternative to Risky Medication and Surgery

Thankfully, candidates for regenerative procedures have an alternative to invasive surgery. Regenexx procedures use sophisticated image-guided injections to place high-dose platelet-rich plasma or bone marrow concentrate containing a patient’s own live stem cells in critical areas to help the body heal itself, potentially restoring areas worn down by osteoarthritis.

Regenexx procedures have been effective in our patient’s knee, back, shoulder, hip, foot/ankle, hand/wrist, and more.

To learn more and find out if a Regenexx procedure is what you need for your osteoarthritis pain, click “Talk to an Expert” below.

References

[1] https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/arthritis-statistics/

[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772

[3] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/osteoarthritis

[4] https://www.mydr.com.au/arthritis/arthritis-how-osteoarthritis-and-rheumatoid-arthritis-affect-joints/

[5] https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/rheumatoid-arthritis-treatment-management/untreated-ra-risks/

[6] https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/complications-and-dangers#:~:text=If%20left%20untreated%2C%20it’ll,pain%20medication%20and%20lifestyle%20changes.

[7] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/expert-answers/arthritis-pain-medications/faq-20058391

[8] https://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/rehabilitation-timeline#outlook

About The Author
Dr. Marc Adelsheimer

Dr. Marc Adelsheimer

Dr. Marc Adelsheimer

Dr. Marc Adelsheimer

Related Posts

Shoulder Surgery Alternatives for Faster Recovery

Shoulder dislocations and Bankart Lesions are common injuries, particularly for young athletes who participate in baseball, volleyball, weight lifting, or gymnastics. Often, when shoulder pain does not go away, it is because of complications caused by a Bankart Lesion, a condition where the cartilage that lines the outside of the shoulder’s socket (called the labrum) tears. This injury can be treated with surgery, but a Bone Marrow Concentrate procedure is a non-surgical regenerative procedure option that may bring faster recovery for affected young athletes, as well as active older adults.

Read More »

Follow Us

Recent Posts

Are You a Regenexx Candidate?

About Regenexx Pittsburgh COVID-19 Protection Zone

At Regenexx Pittsburgh, we are foremost committed to the health and safety of our patients. Our team adheres strictly to COVID-19 protection protocols and ALL staff wear masks and are COVID-19 vaccinated.

Advanced IOF Certifications

Certified at the highest level for Ankle / Foot, Wrist / Hand, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, and Spine Intradiscal

Specialized Certifications

Top available certifications in Diagnostic Ultrasound, Bone Marrow and Adipose Aspirate, and Nucleated Cell Counting

Educational Certifications

Our doctors have earned both General Instructor as well as Spine Instructor certifications.

Knee

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Knee Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Meniscus Tears
  • Patellofemoral
  • Syndrome/Chondomalacia
  • ACL Tears + PCL, LCL & MCL Tears & Sprains
  • Patellar Tendonitis
  • Pes anersine bursitis
  • Baker’s cyst
  • Instability
  • Hamstrings Tendinopathy & Biceps Femoris Insertional Tendinopathy

Lower Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Lumbar Facet Injury
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Herniated or Bulging Disc
  • Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
  • SI Joint Syndrome
  • Many More Disc and Low Back Issues

Foot & Ankle

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Foot & Ankle Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Ankle Instability
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Peroneal tendon tear or split
  • Ligament sprain or tear
  • Sub-talar arthritis or instability
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Bunions

Cervical Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Cervical Instability
  • Cervical Facet Injury
  • Neck, Back or Rib Instability
  • Many More Disc and Cervical Issues Causing Pain

Shoulder

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Shoulder Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Arthritis of the shoulder joint
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Labral tears or degeneration
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis & tendonosis
  • AC Joint Separation
  • Recurrent shoulder dislocations

Elbow

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Elbow Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow
  • Nerve entrapment (ulnar nerve)

Hip

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Hip Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Bursitis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Labral / Labrum Tear

Hand & Wrist

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions.

View Details About Hand & Wrist Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Hand Arthritis
  • Basal Joint Arthritis or CMC / Carpometacarpal
  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • TFCC Tear
  • Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTrigger Finger