Stem cell therapy is an alternative to knee replacement. Studies have documented the success and safety of using bone marrow derived cells in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in patients who were candidates for knee replacement. Many of the patients at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic are concerned about the risks of knee replacement.
Listed below are some of the risks which have been discussed in previous blogs.
1) 44% of patient s/p knee replacement continue to have knee pain.
2) 1 in 10 patients who have a knee replacement suffer a serious complication.
3) Blood clots and potential pulmonary embolism.
4) Premature failure as noted in hip replacements.
5) Alteration in gait, creation of new pain and degeneration when incorrect prosthesis size is utilized.
6) 1 in 10 continue to have knee cap (patella) pain.
8) Patients who smoke are at increased risk for complications and death.
9) Association with wear particles. Wear particles are microscopic pieces of metal, ceramic, or plastic that break off of from the knee replacement or hip prosthesis and irritate the local tissues and/or enter the bloodstream.
Stemcelldoc's Weblog 