Stem cells or total joint replacement for hip, knee pain? 3 thoughts from Dr. Kevin Plancher

Biologics

Kevin Plancher, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and founder of Plancher Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine in New York City and Greenwich, Conn. Here are his insights on joint replacement versus growth factors and stem cell therapy for the treatment of hip and knee pain.

1. Total joint replacement surgery has been around longer that stem cell therapy. Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic performed the first total hip implant surgery in the U.S. in 1969. Stem cell research is still in the early stages.

2. Joint replacement surgery is invasive and requires anesthesia, while stem cell injections are a minimally invasive office-based procedure. "This injection may need to be repeated for benefits to persist," Dr. Plancher said.

3. Dr. Plancher said that patients considering either option should visit a board-certified joint surgeon who is familiar with both techniques.

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