Osteoarthritis is a type of joint disease that results from the breakdown of joint cartilage and bone. It’s usually seen in the ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and spine. Umbilical cord blood with stem cells and other growth factors have been shown to treat and cure these conditions.

It’s unclear if the umbilical cord blood should be injected into the joint as well as intravenously; but Dr. Weiss feels it should be an intravenous injection which will allow the stem cells to seek out the inflammation and start the repair process.  

Many patients are receiving more conventional therapy such as steroid injections and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These can interfere with stem cell activities and must be stopped prior to infusion.

Using stem cells and other healthy factors to treat orthopedic injuries and osteoarthritis is not new. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) as well as autologous stem cells has been given for years, with results much better than standard therapy. These stem cells harvested from the patient from their fat via liposuction, or from their bone marrow via aspiration. These stem cells are the preferred source due to their focus on skeletal healing. These stem cells are very good at angiogenesis or growing a new blood supply – very important since most joint injuries have poor blood supply. These cells also have significant anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to stimulate cartilage repair. Usually the stem cells are injected in or around the affected joint, tendon, ligament, or muscle. This helps to repair, restore and regenerate much better than any other more standard therapy.

However, these stem cells are limited in quantity and quality. By the time an individual is in their mid-fifties, 98% of their stem cells are gone. The remaining does not grow and replicate efficiently. One stem cell from a mid fifty-year-old, if stimulated will yield 200-1000 cells; in 30 days an umbilical cord stem cell, if stimulated will yield over a billion (1,000,000,000+) cells. The regenerative capabilities of umbilical cord stem cells versus aged stem cells cannot be over stated. Also, the umbilical cord cells come as a transplant- live cells, transplanted on dry ice and are given as an intravenous infusion. There is no procedure or surgery required to harvest the cells. These umbilical cord cells can then seek out inflammation and respond to all areas of injury and begin the healing process.

Research