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