The procedure for using stem cells for knee cartilage regeneration involves collecting stem cells, expanding them in a laboratory, and then injecting them into the damaged knee. The stem cells can be harvested from various sources including the patient’s own bone marrow or fat tissues, umbilical cord blood, or from commercial stem cell banks. Once the stem cells have been obtained, they are cultured and multiplied in a lab over several weeks to generate a sufficient quantity. This is a minimally invasive procedure often done under local anesthesia where the doctor will use imaging guidance to accurately inject the stem cells directly into the area of cartilage damage.

The injected stem cells then start their work by releasing proteins that help reduce inflammation and slow down the degradation of existing cartilage while also stimulating the growth of new cartilage. The entire process aims to replace the damaged or lost cartilage with new, healthy tissue. Patients usually feel initial improvement within one to two months, but the full effects of the procedure may take up to a year as new cartilage is grown and matured. It is worth noting that the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in knee cartilage regeneration varies from patient to patient and depends on factors such as the extent of damage and the patient’s overall health.