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Can I avoid knee replacement with regenerative medicine?

Regenerative medicine can repair injuries of the soft tissue tendons and ligaments of the knee. Beyond soft tissue injuries that are common in the knee, regenerative medicine has shown great success in the repair of degenerated cartilage under the kneecap (patella).

In the words of Dr. Lucy Hostetter…

“While I have a deep love for the practices of surgery and anesthesiology, I am excited to offer patients an alternative to surgery … a means to repair and restore themselves, so they can enjoy the lives they want and do what they love to do, without the pain and trauma of surgery. This is the direction in which all of medicine should be going … to help the body heal itself.”

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Regenerative medicine and joint preservation – a fresh approach to knee pain.

Dr. Hostetter settled in Seattle and has diligently worked to establish herself as an expert in regenerative cell therapy and joint preservation. She is committed to regenerative medicine’s ability to restore orthopedic function, rejuvenate mental and emotional vitality, and relieve pain without relying on opioid drugs.

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What are the alternatives to knee surgery in regenerative medicine?

Regenerative medicine is focused on promoting healing within and can offer knee pain sufferers an alternative to invasive surgical procedures that may not alleviate all the pain.

  • Autologous stem cell therapy (using your own stem cells)
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) (a concentration of platelets in your own blood )
  • Radiofrequency ablation (stops the knee from transmitting pain signals)
  • Hyaluronic acid treatment (replaces the lost fluid in your joints)

What knee conditions can be treated with regenerative medicine?

Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints. 

Torn ACL:

This is a tear in one of the ligaments in your knee.

Torn meniscus:

This is a condition where the cartilage on the knee becomes damaged.

Cartilage deterioration:

Cartilage can wear down over time, which might lead to pain and stiffness in the joint. 

Patellar Tendonitis:

A painful injury that makes it difficult to extend the knee during normal activity, often referred to as Jumper’s Knee. This condition often plagues athletes that participate in sports that include a lot of jumping, like basketball and volleyball, and is typically treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy. Stem cells, in combination with PRP, have been shown to aid in recovery and restore non-painful use of your knee.

Chondromalacia patellae:

This is cartilaginous softening and fibrillation of the patellar bone cartilage; it can cause patellofemoral pain syndrome. PFPS is characterized by anterior knee pain. Stem cells have shown promise in aiding in the recovery of cartilage tissue, and a reduction of anterior knee pain.

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Why choose Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center?

If you suffer from pain behind your knee, have been diagnosed with arthritis or you’re being told surgery is needed, there are minimally invasive, non-surgical options covered by most insurance providers and Medicare. At Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center, our doctors offer knee pain treatments that may delay or even eliminate the need for surgical options. 

If you experience knee joint pain, it’s important to locate the source and take care of it before it becomes more severe. We are the Northwest’s leading experts in treating sports injuries, arthritis, orthopedic injuries, & other conditions. Focused on healing patients from within, regenerative medicine offers a true alternative to invasive (and often ineffective) treatments.

About stem cell therapy for the knee

Mesenchymal stem cells are a significant advancement in regenerative medicine. These stem cells provide a way for pain sufferers to use their body’s own biological response to injury to recover quickly. Stem cells can promote healing in sections of the body that often have low blood flow or are in constant use.

Learn More About Stem Cell Therapy

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Radiofrequency ablation

RFA of the knee can be a viable and effective treatment option, providing significant benefits to the right patients, with results that last at least three months. Radiofrequency ablation procedures use radio-magnetic waves to stop the nerves from transmitting pain signals from the knee joints to the brain. Your doctor uses an x-ray to direct specialized needles to the medial branches that are transmitting pain. Once the location of each needle is finalized, an anesthetic is used, and the radiofrequency procedure is performed.

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PRP Injections to treat soft tissue injury of the ligaments and tendons

Treating soft tissue injuries that are often the result of repetitive activities, such as torn ACL or torn Meniscus, can be difficult and slow going. PRP, or Platelet Rich Plasma, is a therapy where we take your plasma and separate out the platelets to create an increased concentration of them.

When injected into your injury site, this works similarly to stem cells by signaling your body to heal itself. The greater the concentration of platelets in the injection, the greater response from your body’s natural healing properties.

Learn More About PRP Therapy

Hyaluronic acid treatment for knee pain

The fluid in your knee helps to lubricate and protect the joint during normal movement. The main compound of knee fluid is hyaluronic acid, which is what makes up GenVisc 850. One of the early symptoms of osteoarthritis is the reduction in knee fluid volume, making the joint less effective. Hyaluronic acid for joints helps by adding more volume to your synovial fluid, resulting in a reduction of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

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When should I consider hyaluronic acid treatment?

If you suffer from knee pain, have been diagnosed with arthritis or you’re being told surgery is needed, this is a minimally invasive, non-surgical option that is covered by most insurance providers and Medicare. 

Seattle Regenerative Medicine Center utilizes Genvisc850 (hyaluronic acid) to help patients improve their quality of life by reducing their chronic knee pain symptoms. This minimally invasive solution provides lubrication to the knee joint to help reduce painful inflammation. This in turn helps our patients to return to a more active lifestyle while avoiding more invasive surgical alternatives.

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Hyaluronic acid treatment benefits

  • Reduction in knee pain
  • Increased mobility
  • Increased range of motion
  • Virtually no downtime
  • Minimally invasive procedure
  • Long-term pain reduction results

This treatment is a safe and effective option that is proven to help those suffering from knee pain, and hyaluronic acid treatments are fully covered by Medicare and most insurance providers.

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Hyaluronic Acid Treatment FAQs

How is GenVisc administered?

How many injections should I receive?

How long does pain relief from hyaluronic acid injections last?

What should I expect after radiofrequency ablation?

How is GenVisc administered?

GenVisc 850 is an intra-articular injection, which is injected into the space of the affected joint, between your thigh and calf bone.

How many injections should I receive?

GenVisc 850 is supported by the largest and longest-duration double-blinded clinical study of hyaluronic acids for knee osteoarthritis. Clinical studies demonstrated that five injections, each spaced one week apart, provide optimal pain relief. Some patients have derived benefits following the third injection. The effectiveness of fewer than three injections has not been evaluated.

How long does pain relief from hyaluronic acid injections last?

Each patient reacts differently to GenVisc 850 treatment. The benefits of GenVisc 850 can last for months. In clinical studies, many patients experience six months or more pain relief. There are reports in the literature of pain relief beyond six months.

What should I expect after radiofrequency ablation?

The benefits of radiofrequency ablation include reduced knee pain, more flexibility, and enhanced function.

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