Stem cell therapy using MSCs (mesenchymal stem cells) is particularly good for joint health. This is because MSCs can transform into bone cells and cartilage cells (chondrocytes).
But that is just one of the ways in which they work. They also produce bioactive compounds like cytokines, growth factors, and exosomes, which can lower local inflammation and boost regenerative processes. So, MSCs help with joint pain or disorders in two ways.
For this kind of therapy, doctors generally retrieve MSCs for various tissues, multiply these cells in the lab, and then inject them into the affected joints. This local MSCs injection is very safe – it is a minimally invasive procedure.
Unlike most medications that just reduce pain and inflammation, thus reducing tissue damage a bit, stem cell therapy boosts regenerative processes. Therefore, it can significantly speed up recovery and even help with joint conditions that are challenging to treat with medical drugs.
Who Can Benefit Most From Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy using MSCs for joint issues is beneficial for two very different categories of people.
- These are young and physically active young adults seeking help for their sports injury. Stem cell therapy is quite effective in this category of people, as regenerative processes are more or less well preserved in these individuals, and help in the form of stem cell therapy can significantly accelerate healing processes, helping them return to physical activity faster.
- The second category of people is usually middle-aged and older adults living with various joint disorders. Most joint disorders occur either due to immune dysregulation/autoimmunity or due to a significant decline in regenerative processes. Stem cell therapy cannot just boost tissue regeneration; it can also alter immune responses, thus benefiting this category of people.
Most Common Sports Injuries Treated with MSCs
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being widely explored in sports medicine because they may help repair soft tissue, reduce inflammation, and speed up recovery. The following are the most common sports-related conditions where MSC therapy is being used or investigated:
| Injury / Condition | Where It Occurs | How MSCs May Help |
|---|---|---|
| Tendon injuries (tendinopathies) | Common in the Achilles tendon, rotator cuff, elbow (tennis or golfer’s elbow), and patellar tendon (jumper’s knee). | MSCs may promote tendon healing, reduce scar formation, and restore strength. |
| Muscle tears and strains | Thigh, hamstring, or calf muscles | MSCs can support muscle fiber regeneration and limit inflammation after acute injury. |
| Ligament injuries | Knee (anterior cruciate ligament or ACL), ankle, and shoulder | MSCs may enhance repair and shorten recovery time when used along with physical therapy or surgery. |
| Meniscus injuries | Knee joint | MSCs can assist in regenerating meniscal tissue and improve joint cushioning. |
| Cartilage damage | Knees, hips, or shoulders from repetitive stress or trauma | MSCs may help restore cartilage cells (chondrocytes) and delay the need for surgery. |
| Bone stress injuries and fractures | Long bones, foot, or spine | MSCs are being studied for improving bone healing and reducing complications in slow-healing fractures. |
In sports medicine, MSCs are often delivered by local injection into the injured area, sometimes guided by ultrasound. This local delivery concentrates cells at the damage site, supporting faster and more targeted recovery.
Most Common Joint Disorders Treated with MSCs
MSCs are also being tested and used in joint diseases where inflammation, degeneration, or injury leads to chronic pain or stiffness.
| Joint Disorder | Description | MSC Therapy Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis (OA) | The most common joint disorder, where cartilage wears down over time (especially knees, hips, and shoulders). | MSCs may reduce inflammation, protect existing cartilage, and stimulate regeneration of joint tissue. |
| Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) | Autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks joint lining. | MSCs may modulate the immune response and reduce joint inflammation. |
| Chondromalacia patellae | Softening of cartilage under the kneecap causing pain and grinding. | MSCs may restore cartilage surface and relieve pain. |
| Avascular necrosis (AVN) | Bone tissue death due to poor blood flow, often affecting the hip. | MSCs may promote new blood vessel formation and bone repair. |
| Post-traumatic arthritis | Degeneration following previous injury or surgery. | MSCs may help rebuild damaged joint surfaces and improve function. |
MSCs are being used more and more in sports medicine and orthopedics because they can help repair muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and bone. They are also being explored for joint disorders like osteoarthritis, where they may ease pain and improve movement.
While research is still growing, early results show that MSC therapy may offer a natural and less invasive option for athletes and individuals wanting to recover faster, stay active, and protect their joints in the long term.
What Does the Science Say?
For long, clinics have been experimenting with stem cell therapy. However, slowly it is becoming a mainstream treatment for joint health issues. Just the fact that thousands of clinics are using MSCs for joint disorders shows that patients are benefiting from them.
It is regretful that despite its widespread use and positive results, mainstream medicine has been a bit hesitant to use this therapy on a regular basis. However, things are changing fast. Thus, for example, in 2024, more than 7000 clinical studies were registered using stem cell therapy, with particular focus on MSCs.
Of course, still much has to be learnt and explored. Clinical studies are now focusing on different joints like the hip and knee, spinal cord injuries, and more. However, researchers still need to find out the optimal cell concentration for the therapy, as most clinical studies use different concentrations.
Moreover, researchers are separately studying the use of MSC-derived exosomes. Exosomes are small vesicles produced by MSCs, and they contain numerous bioactive compounds that are particularly good at stimulating regenerative processes, reducing inflammation, and modulating local immune responses. Early studies show that exosomes used with or without a cellular component can benefit greatly in different kinds of joint health conditions.
There is some high-quality evidence that MSCs are not just good for sports injuries in young adults; they can also benefit those living with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory joint diseases or arthritis.
For some individuals, MSC therapy can be life-transforming, helping when all other options have failed. Thus, one of the journals reported a case when a 68-year-old female was suffering form severe psoriatic arthritis and psoriatic lesions covering 80% of the body. After five years of MSC treatment, psoriatic lesions were affecting less than 5% of the body surface area, and the patient reported significantly improved joint function.
Of course, individual results might vary significantly. Nonetheless, the above case just shows how some people can benefit significantly from stem cell therapy. Moreover, it may work when all other options have failed to help much.
Finally, it is worth noting that stem cell therapy rarely causes any severe side effects. This is in contrast to medications used to treat joint disorders. Some of the medicines used to treat joint diseases like autoimmune conditions are highly toxic drugs.
To sum up, whether you are a young adult living with a sports injury and looking for a way to faster recovery, or an adult living with chronic joint disorder/arthritis, stem cell therapy or MSC therapy can help significantly, boosting tissue regeneration, reducing pain and inflammation, and increasing joint mobility. For some, it can be a life-transforming experience. It’s a therapy known to work, supported by numerous clinical studies.