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Greetings -- I Am Considering Getting An Injection Of Umbilicord
Question: Greetings -- I am considering getting an injection of umbilicord stem cells (not PRP) for continuing pain in the back of my knee. The company claims a 92% success rate (Shaquille O'Neill does a pretty impressive endorsement video for them). The procedure is not covered by insurance or Medicare, and the cost is $5,500. They also claim to use only one (our of ten) kind of stem cells from the umbilical cord, as these particular stem cells are not attacked by our immune system and are the most effective. Do you know if this is as effective as they claim? Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Stem cells is a promising procedure, patients report improvements.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
The most common cause of pain and swelling in the back of the knee is a Bakers or popliteal cyst.
In this case the inflammation and swelling affect the tissue behind the knee.
One of the latest options of treatment for this diagnosis is with stem cells injections.
Evidence based studies show that stem cell injection can be effective and most of the patients report improvements.
Most patients feel no improvement for at least 3 weeks and possibly 6-8 weeks.
Once you feel improvement, continued improvement expand over 6 months.
To conclude, I can not tell you for sure that the procedure has 92 % of effectiveness.
It is a new procedure which also is very expensive.
But it is a promising procedure, so I encourage you to try it to relieve the pain.
Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Stem cells is a promising procedure, patients report improvements.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
The most common cause of pain and swelling in the back of the knee is a Bakers or popliteal cyst.
In this case the inflammation and swelling affect the tissue behind the knee.
One of the latest options of treatment for this diagnosis is with stem cells injections.
Evidence based studies show that stem cell injection can be effective and most of the patients report improvements.
Most patients feel no improvement for at least 3 weeks and possibly 6-8 weeks.
Once you feel improvement, continued improvement expand over 6 months.
To conclude, I can not tell you for sure that the procedure has 92 % of effectiveness.
It is a new procedure which also is very expensive.
But it is a promising procedure, so I encourage you to try it to relieve the pain.
Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Thank you for your advice. I have an appointment to see an orthopedist in a few weeks. Do you know what other treatment will most likely be proposed for this condition (assuming you're right about the diagnosis.)
In other words, any idea what my other options will likely be?
Thanks!
In other words, any idea what my other options will likely be?
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Options of treatment are explained below in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
To confirm the diagnosis is needed an MRI of the knee.
The treatment consists usually in anti inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen 400 mg three times a day.
Sometimes corticosteroids can be injected into the knee to relieve the pain.
Another option of treatment is fluid drainage.
In this procedure, the excess fluid is drained from the knee joint using a needle.
Physical therapy and gentle exercises are always recommended.
If this treatments does not work and you still feel pain, surgery may be needed.
I suggest to consult with your orthopedist regarding this options and choose the best treatment for you.
Hope it helps,
Take care.
Dr. Dorina Gurabardhi
Options of treatment are explained below in details.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
To confirm the diagnosis is needed an MRI of the knee.
The treatment consists usually in anti inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen 400 mg three times a day.
Sometimes corticosteroids can be injected into the knee to relieve the pain.
Another option of treatment is fluid drainage.
In this procedure, the excess fluid is drained from the knee joint using a needle.
Physical therapy and gentle exercises are always recommended.
If this treatments does not work and you still feel pain, surgery may be needed.
I suggest to consult with your orthopedist regarding this options and choose the best treatment for you.
Hope it helps,
Take care.
Dr. Dorina Gurabardhi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Brief Answer:
The surgery can treat the symptoms but can not prevent the cyst return.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
The medications such as anti inflammatory medications can help in treating the pain and other symptoms.
Physical therapy or losing weight can also help in relieving the symptoms.
The surgery, also can treat the actual cyst but can not prevent its return.
To treat the underlying condition, it is important to diagnose the cause if the pain.
It can be arthritis, gout or an injury.
Generally, arthritis is the most common cause of a Bakers cyst.
You çan do specific examinations such as rheumatoid factor blood level and an ERS level to check for arthritis and treat it properly.
Hope it helps.
Take care dear,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
The surgery can treat the symptoms but can not prevent the cyst return.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
The medications such as anti inflammatory medications can help in treating the pain and other symptoms.
Physical therapy or losing weight can also help in relieving the symptoms.
The surgery, also can treat the actual cyst but can not prevent its return.
To treat the underlying condition, it is important to diagnose the cause if the pain.
It can be arthritis, gout or an injury.
Generally, arthritis is the most common cause of a Bakers cyst.
You çan do specific examinations such as rheumatoid factor blood level and an ERS level to check for arthritis and treat it properly.
Hope it helps.
Take care dear,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Okay, here's my problem. If I just get pain-killers (ibuprofen, corticosteroids, whatever), all that does is mask the problem. As would draining the cyst?
None of these deal with the UNDERLYING CAUSE of the cyst. And if I don't deal with the underlying cause, what would keep it from coming back? I don't want to be on medication (certainly not steroids) for a long time. If the cyst is caused by arthritis, would exercise (or physical therapy), losing weight, etc (I'm about 15 pounds overweight) or other measures actually solve the underlying problem -- getting rid of the cyst and preventing its return? And what would surgery do?
Thank you!
None of these deal with the UNDERLYING CAUSE of the cyst. And if I don't deal with the underlying cause, what would keep it from coming back? I don't want to be on medication (certainly not steroids) for a long time. If the cyst is caused by arthritis, would exercise (or physical therapy), losing weight, etc (I'm about 15 pounds overweight) or other measures actually solve the underlying problem -- getting rid of the cyst and preventing its return? And what would surgery do?
Thank you!
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