Posted on 05/01/2022 5:24:52 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
For patients with painful finger osteoarthritis, a nonsurgical procedure called lipofilling—in which fat obtained from another part of the body is transferred into the arthritic joints—produces lasting improvements in hand function and especially pain, suggests a study.
"Even over a long-term follow-up, the transfer of fatty tissue to arthritic fingers joints appears to provide a safe and minimally invasive alternative to conventional surgery," comments lead author Max Meyer-Marcotty, MD, Ph.D.
In the lipofilling procedure, a sample of the patient's own fatty tissue was obtained by liposuction from another part of the body: the upper thigh or hip area. Tiny volumes of fat cells—no more than one milliliter—were injected into the arthritic finger joints. Recovery was straightforward: Patients wore a splint around the treated finger and took pain relievers for a week. There were no infections or other complications.
The researchers analyzed follow-up outcomes in a total of 25 finger joints treated by lipofilling. Hand function, pain scores, and patient satisfaction were evaluated an average of 44 months (maximum 50 months) after treatment.
Assessment showed a "highly significant clear improvement" in pain score: from a median of 6 points (on a 10-point scale) before treatment to 0.5 points at follow-up. "We believe that for our patients, the reduction of pain represents the most striking and important result, which also has the most pronounced and highly significant effect," Dr. Meyer-Marcotty and colleagues write.
On functional evaluation, pinch grip strength of the treated fingers approximately doubled, from a median of 2.0 kilograms (kg) before lipofilling to 4.3 kg at follow-up. Force of fist closure and score on a standard assessment of hand function during everyday tasks also improved.
Animal studies have suggested that mesenchymal stromal cells (a type of stem cell) found in fatty tissues are capable of regenerating tissue in arthritic joints.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
The same reason I gave up singing in public.
The BIG question...will it work for knees?
Most of the friends and relatives, who have had knee replacements were fine until they started running on pavement again.
If this works, it might be less painful than a knee replacement.
Approved by FDA, and it is on the market. (It ain’t cheap!)
https://www.ashdin.com/articles/lipogems-in-osteoarthritis-fact-or-fiction.pdf
It is apparently approved for knees.
Thanks.
BKMK
WHOA - some really good news!
It is apparently approved for knees.
WHOA - some really good news!
Probably only good if you haven’t had a knee replacement.
Knee replacement cost in California:
What is the average cost of a knee replacement in California?
Select any of the procedures below to view detailed cost data and provider comparisons.
Procedure: Price Range
Knee Replacement (Total) Cost Average $15,600 - $42,800
“I’ve got bad arthritis in both hands. I’ve gotta investigate this.”
Find a local ortho doc/clinic that does this procedure and consider trying it out on one hand.
It appears the cost is about $2500/hand or knee with minimal side effects and post op care.
A good friend, in her mid 80’s had a knee replaced 3 years ago, and now the other knee causing problems. The first knee replacement took 6 months to fully recover.
She is a member of the big PPO out here. Her knee and my wife’s hip, each had a co payment of $20 and about $100 in post op drugs. She feels if she can get a few pain free years with this injection, it is worth the out of pocket cost.
“Few people are aware that fat tissue (like that removed in liposuction) is very rich in stem cells and can be used in breast reconstruction. Not surprising that it works for joint regeneration.”
One of my wife’s good friends had breast cancer and had both removed. Then, they used her fat tissue for breast reconstruction. So far going on 4 years, she is doing great.
Will do..
“I’ve got bad arthritis in both hands. I’ve gotta investigate this.”
Fortunately, my arthritis is really mild. My mother, her father/mother and 4 sisters and 1 brother had terrible arthritis with pain 24/7. So I have the DNA potential for this painful crud.
A sibling and a maternal first cousin in their 80’s will probably consider this as they have a lot of hand pain, 24/7.
On cool/cold mornings, I had mild discomfort starting in the morning and sometimes through the night.
A DNA cousin had the same problem, and his doc recommended one Advil an hour before bedtime. He not only slept better, his hand pain was minimal if any.
So I started with the Advil an hour before bedtime or with dinner, 2 months ago. I immediately slept better and most of my daytime hand discomfort disappeared.
Advil sounds more like what I need... Thanks for sharing...
Advil sounds more like what I need... Thanks for sharing...
Don’t take it or any similar pain reliever before doing something like tennis, running and other strenuous activity.
An orthopedic friend and doctor says that taking medicine before the painful exercise is similar to cutting the temp gauge and oil gauge wiring in your vehicle before driving.
Pain often warns us not to keep doing what causes our pain.
Makes sense - thanks Grampa.
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