When you’re experiencing pain in the joints or other areas of the body, pain relief is a top priority. Depending on the doctor that you visit, you may be given an option to have surgery on the affected area. Other doctors that are well-versed in regenerative medicine may offer stem cell therapy as an alternative to surgery.
Deciding which treatment is best for you is an important one. Here are some things to consider when comparing stem cell therapy to surgery.
Recovery Time
Most people don’t want a lengthy recovery time after they’ve received treatment for pain. With stem cell therapy, your downtime is minimal, as most patients are back up and moving about within a week. Surgery, on the other hand, requires a longer recovery period.
Depending on the type of surgery that you undergo, it may take a month or two to get back to normal. This is not ideal for people who are eager to get back to work, or who do not have a lot of time to spend resting. When it comes to recovery time, stem cell therapy beats surgery hands down.
The Procedure
Surgery requires general anesthesia and is performed as an inpatient surgery. Stem cell therapy is an outpatient procedure that takes about 2 to 4 hours from start to finish. Most patients are relieved to find that they can come in and have the treatments done, and be back home in no time.
Also, surgery is a highly invasive procedure as opposed to stem cell therapy, which involves only the extraction of the stem cells from one area of the body, and the injection of those stem cells to the affected area.
In some cases where surgery is the only option, we may add stem cells in the surgery to potentially speed healing and reduce recovery time. For example, studies have shown that adding platelet rich plasma helps with ACL knee repair
Severity of the Condition
While stem cell therapy is an effective pain relief option for many joint, bone, and cartilage diseases, some patients simply aren’t good candidates for this because of the severity of their condition. In this instance, surgery is the best and possibly the only option for pain relief. With a proper evaluation, your doctor will be able to tell you whether or not you should opt for surgery instead of stem cell therapy.
These are three main factors to consider when deciding which is the best pain treatment for you. Stem cell therapy certainly has its benefits, but not all patients qualify for this procedure. Regenerative therapy is gentler on the body and less invasive than surgery, and that’s an important factor for many patients; not to mention the fact that it encourages the body to repair itself naturally.
Choosing the best solution for pain relief therapy is an important option that you don’t have to make alone. Our experienced professionals will evaluate your condition and recommend the most effective treatment available.
Contact us today to find out if stem cell therapy is right for you. With proper treatment, you can live a pain-free life. We’re waiting to hear from you. (310) 504-2893.
