[Fastskiguy]

Insurance companies love things that work, especially if they save money. Yet they are not covering it. You’ve gotta wonder why.

Joe

[MidWestIA]

Usually see big claims on the back of the snake oil injection bottle
I'll change my mind if you say it's done at a major medical university or hospital

[IndianaJones]

The American College of Rheumatology & the Osteoarthritis Foundation currently do not recommend stem cell treatment of the knee for these reasons: 1) there is not a standard protocol for preparing the injection; & 2) there is not enough evidence to prove it works or is safe (see Just a moment... ). As a research scientist I can tell you the words “safe & effective “ don’t apply here. Too many clinics are broadening the application (note it’s indicated for osteoarthritis, not “general tissue repair”) & are making too specific of success claims. Stem cells themselves are “pluri-potential” & not enough research has been done for this specific application. A paper this year (Stem cell strategy for repairing joint damage shows promise in pig model | National Institute on Aging) shows “promising results in pigs” but (here’s my thoughts) it appears to be variable. If you’ve got the $$ you can take the gamble, but “results may vary”!!

[Lisanp@aol.com]

A very close friend had moderate success with this procedure in her hand. I think it is a rapidly evolving area that’s still several years off from consistent positive results, but is very promising.

[Barbscats]

I had PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) 10 years ago on my Achilles Tendon. One injection and it took about 6 months for the tendon to regenerate.

[retiredguy123]

Just Google "stem cell clinics in China". Average cost per treatment is $18,000. Lots of clinics to choose from where you can arrange transportation and schedule a treatment. They also will refer you to clinics that they own in other countries. But I don't recommend it.

[waterflower]

The FDA, NIH, CDC are all paid by big pharma. So who is really being scammed..Follow the money.

[The Chipster]

If you want to deep dive into the massive incoming medical advancements, read "The Code Breaker". If we can live long enough, say 10 more years, we will receive FDA-approved therapies that are mind-blowing.

[ndf888]

Originally Posted by Nell57

A good friend paid for this procedure and had no improvement whatsoever in her joint.
She didn’t say it was a scam. She thought maybe if she’d had it done earlier it might have worked for her.
Two years later she had the joint replaced.

Same here. I have been talked by a sports medicine doc into undergoing prolo, prp, and eventually stem cell injections for almost a year. No noticeable improvement whatsoever. Only made the pain worse. No reputable clinical trials to show efficacy or even safety. Stay away.

There is very solid research that supports treatments for central sensitization, which almost always accompanies chronic pain and makes it much worse. They won’t make all the pain go away, but will reduce it significantly.

E.g. Central sensitization syndrome: Diagnosis, symptoms, and more

I found that the Curable app works best for me but there are many others.
Blog - Curable Health

I would check out treatments for central sensitization before any infections or surgery. What do you have to loose? There’re no side effects and very little costs. Good luck!

[chrissy2231]

Originally Posted by jswirs

I recently attended an informational meeting regarding NON-SURGICAL REGENERATION, with respect to reducing or eliminating joint pain. To summarize the process: Over several weeks a series of injections, using processed blood, stem cells and bone marrow from the patient's own body, are given directly into the painful joint. This substance is then expected to stay, and even regenerate, in the joint providing the lubrication necessary to relieve pain resulting from arthritis, scar tissue from previous trauma, overuse, etc.

The process is FDA approved, but not covered by insurance. There are many testimonials from patients which have resulted in, at least, partial success and a few patients have reported they are completely pain free. However, internet research shows some patients have not been helped at all and are calling this process a scam.

Does anyone have experience with this process? Any thoughts?

it's prp. important to use "baby stem cells," not your own. Need at least 3 trtmnts costing $2.5K-$4.5K. buy BigelOil
Amazon.com

[Dlpdo]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I was at the Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa for some skin surgery in June, and I asked the Physicians Assistant if she enjoyed her job. She said she loved her job. She had read the book, "The Emperor of all Maladies" and it had really inspired her.

I bought the book and thought it was great. It is sub-titled "a biography of cancer", and it tells about all of the people, including the author, trying their best to deal with cancer. I am reading it now for the second time.

I have read that book. I thought I was an excellent book on the history of cancer treatments. Book came out in 2015 and since that time treatment have continued to improve.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by waterflower

The FDA, NIH, CDC are all paid by big pharma. So who is really being scammed..Follow the money.

Well let's see - it's alternative medicine that isn't yet approved by the FDA for use on patients in a clinical or hospital setting. And it can cost between $1000 and $40,000 per treatment.

If I follow the money it leads me to quackery, fraud, "big suppla" and alt-med. Because Big Pharma wouldn't approve its use if the insurance companies can't save money with it.

[jimbo2012]

My wife had a stem cell injection in her knee, the results couldn't be better.

No more pain

Procedure took about 30 minutes, now about 4 months later all good.

No insurance coverage, cost about $6500.

Sure beats knee surgery replacement

[Kathryn Putt]

I had stem cells injected into both hips 3 years ago. It has worked in the right hip but not the left because it was advanced to far on the left. I just had x-rays on the right hip and it has not changed/advanced. Good luck.

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

Originally Posted by Kathryn Putt

I had stem cells injected into both hips 3 years ago. It has worked in the right hip but not the left because it was advanced to far on the left. I just had x-rays on the right hip and it has not changed/advanced. Good luck.

Rummaging through these comments, it appears these experimental treatments have worked for some but not others. So, it leads me to conclude that it depends on a variety of factors specific to each individual but primarily how serious the deterioration of the person's joint / cartilege is. Perhaps, even the method of the practitioner may play a role. Whatever, it appears that it is not a treatment that has been perfected yet but could work for some.