Stems Cells for Osteoarthritis

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Greenville, SC, Spartanburg, SC, Columbia, SC, Anderson, SC and Asheville, NC

Cartilage is a shock absorber for the joints, but it wears down over time with age. Osteoarthritis is a highly common degenerative condition that is caused by a gradual breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints. Regenerative stem cell therapy is a rapidly growing area of medicine that focuses on promoting the body’s natural healing response. Stem cell therapy shows promising results in stimulating the body’s biological processes to slow and repair the progression of osteoarthritis, not just mask the symptoms.

Dr. John C. Haasis III, MD is renowned for using cutting-edge regenerative treatments to go beyond simply treating the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Dr. Haasis developed a deep understanding of the body’s systems with his board-certification and fellowship training in pain management anesthesiology and his Ph.D. in microbiology. Dr. Haasis leads the Daisy Stem Cell Therapy and Advanced Regenerative Centers of the Carolinas (Daisy Institute) with scientifically-backed treatments that promote healing to repair the body from within.

To learn more about how stem cell therapy may improve joint function and reduce the effects of osteoarthritis call us at (864) 775-5682 or contact us online.

About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the world. It occurs when the articular cartilage that acts as a protective cushion around the ends of bones in your joints breaks down over time. Cartilage is a framework of collagen that is 70% water (1) that allows the bones to move smoothly and without resistance through the joints. As it disappears, the joint can no longer move as freely, and the bones may rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation that reduces the range of motion. Cartilage does not have blood vessels, which limits its ability to regrow. When it is worn down, it does not fully replace itself. Osteoarthritis commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.

Age is the most common factor leading to osteoarthritis, since cartilage breaks down over time with wear and tear. Injuries, repetitive stress on joints, genetics, gender, obesity, and structural misalignments also contribute to osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:

  • Joint pain
  • Stiffness (often in the morning)
  • Swelling and joint tenderness
  • Grinding, clicking, popping, crunching, or clicking during movement
  • Bone spurs
  • Physical movements cause pain
  • Limitations in physical activity because of pain

Traditional Osteoarthritis Management & Treatment:

At this time, osteoarthritis is not reversible or curable, and traditional osteoarthritis treatments focus on relieving symptoms but do not address the progression of osteoarthritis, nor do they repair the joint damage. (2) There is a significant gap between conventional treatments that either temporarily mask the symptoms or require fully invasive surgery. Typical osteoarthritis treatments include:

  • Lifestyle Changes: reducing exercise to low-impact activities and losing weight to lessen the load on joints
  • Physical Therapy: strengthening the surrounding muscles to reduce joint stress
  • Medications: OTC pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce discomfort
  • Supportive Devices: braces, canes, walkers
  • Corticosteroid and Hyaluronic Acid Injections: provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation
  • Surgery: joint replacement surgery is often the last resort in more advanced cases when other treatments have run out

About Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis

Stem cells are the building blocks of the human body. They are undifferentiated cells that can turn into any cell in the body and send signals that promote healing and boost rebuilding. There are several different sources of stem cells; at the Daisy Institute, Dr. Haasis strictly uses cells derived from donated umbilical cord blood. This is the only type of stem cell product that is FDA-approved and ensures that our stem cells are safe, effective, and ethically sourced from consenting donations. Stem cells sourced from umbilical cords also ensure the procedure is minimally invasive and is less painful than harvesting the stem cells from your own body.

In hundreds of clinical trials, innovative stem cell therapy shows promise in filling the osteoarthritis treatment gap. (3) Injected mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) send signals that support tissue growth in the affected joint and may reduce osteoarthritic pain and inflammation caused by the disintegration of cartilage. Research suggests that healing effects of stem cell therapy might slow the advancement of osteoarthritis instead of simply masking the symptoms like more traditional treatments.

Benefits

The revolutionary science of stem cell therapy offers a new approach to effectively treating the effects of osteoarthritis. Benefits may include:

  • Regenerative healing to repair damaged joint tissues
  • Minimally-invasive
  • Potential reduction of joint inflammation
  • Possible pain relief
  • Personalized treatment
  • Long-term improvements without surgery

Candidates

If traditional osteoarthritis treatments have not alleviated your symptoms or you would like to repair your joints without surgery, stem cell therapy may bring welcome relief. Stem cell therapy may benefit patients experiencing the painful and limiting symptoms of osteoarthritis. Dr. Haasis will determine if stem cell therapy will be an effective treatment for your osteoarthritis during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Stem cell therapy is an innovative area of regenerative medicine, and initial research shows it may bring symptom relief and promote cartilage healing for patients with osteoarthritis. During your personal consultation with Dr. Haasis, he will evaluate if stem cell therapy will be a safe, effective treatment for your osteoarthritis and fully clarify how treatment works so you can make an informed, confident decision.

Dr. Haasis will review your overall health and medical history, discuss your osteoarthritis, including your pain levels and the impacts it has on your life, and learn about your treatment goals. He will perform a comprehensive physical examination, paying special attention to any affected joints, looking at the severity of the cartilage damage and changes to the function of the joints.

If you may see improvements from stem cell therapy, Dr. Haasis will thoroughly explain the treatment process, any risks and potential benefits, the safety protocols in place at the Daisy Institute, and healing timelines. He will answer any questions you may have about approaching osteoarthritis treatment with stem cell therapy and develop a treatment plan customized to your needs.

Procedure and Recovery

Stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis is minimally invasive and requires little downtime. Dr. Haasis will precisely inject the stem cells into the joints affected by osteoarthritis. He uses fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance for added precision. Dr. Haasis uses advanced techniques to maximize your safety and minimize any discomfort.

Following your injection, there may be temporary swelling, redness, or soreness. This will resolve quickly. In the first few days after your stem cell treatment, rest is helpful as the stem cells settle into place. Within one week, cellular activity is stimulated and tissues begin gradually building over the next few months. Between three and six months, the new tissue matures and strengthens and there may be noticeable improvements in the joint function and pain levels.

Results

Clinical trials have shown that stem cell therapy can promote healing and improve joint function for patients with osteoarthritis. Final results will depend on how advanced the progression of osteoarthritis is. By promoting rebuilding, stem cell therapy may slow the advancement of your osteoarthritis and repair the damage for long-term functional improvements. With internal healing, symptoms are not masked, but reduced for many patients.

Corresponding Procedures

Living with the symptoms of osteoarthritis is hard. Stem cell therapy shows promising results in reducing pain and promoting joint healing. To amplify the improvements, Dr. Haasis may recommend layering correlating treatments to round out a comprehensive treatment protocol.

Including supplements and nutraceuticals with your stem cell therapy will make sure that your body has ample nutritional support to heal and rebuild joint tissues. Medical acupuncture may enhance the ability of stem cells to locate and travel to the needed site. (4) Pairing stem cell therapy with plasma therapy utilizes the body’s blood platelets to further accelerate healing. During your personal consultation, Dr. Haasis will develop a customized treatment plan that is designed to address your osteoarthritis symptoms as completely as possible for the most improvements.

Cost of Stems Cells for Osteoarthritis in the Carolinas

The cost of your stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis in North and South Carolina will vary based on your specific treatment plan. Dr. Haasis will outline a clear breakdown of the cost of your customized treatment plan during your personal consultation.

Learn more about your stem cell treatment options and pricing by scheduling your personal consultation today. To schedule at any of our convenient office locations in Greenville, Spartanburg, Columbia, Anderson, Asheville (NC) call (864) 775-5682 or contact us online.

FAQ

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy is a cutting-edge, minimally-invasive treatment that is part of the growing field of regenerative medicine. Stem cells have the ability to transform into the different types of body tissue to promote healing and repair damage.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes destruction of the protective cartilage in joints that can result in joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced physical function. It is common and affects about 528 million adults worldwide. (5)

How can stem cell therapy help osteoarthritis?

Research shows that stem cell therapy can help alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis by promoting tissue repair, reducing pain and inflammation, and slowing the progression of the disease with the healing effects of stem cells.

Is stem cell therapy safe to treat osteoarthritis?

Stem cell therapy is typically well tolerated and with no significant short-term or long-term adverse reactions. (6) Like all medical treatments, stem cell therapy should be conducted by a licensed medical professional to safely minimize any risks for optimized results.

References

  1. Haq I, Murphy E, Dacre J. Osteoarthritis. Postgrad Med J. 2003;79(933):377-383. doi:10.1136/pmj.79.933.377
  2. Wei P, Bao R. Intra-Articular Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: Mechanisms and Clinical Evidence. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;24(1):59. doi:10.3390/ijms24010059
  3. Li X, Zhao Y, Guo D, et al. Global clinical trial landscape of stem cell-based therapies for osteoarthritis: trends and translational implications. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2026;14:1757935. doi:10.3389/fcell.2026.1757935
  4. Jia H, He J, Zhao L, et al. Combination of stem cell therapy and acupuncture to treat ischemic stroke: a prospective review. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2022;13(1):87. doi:10.1186/s13287-022-02761-y
  5. World Health Organization. Osteoarthritis. 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/osteoarthritis
  6. Entessari M, Oliveira LP. Current evidence on mesenchymal stem cells for hip osteoarthritis: a narrative review. Regen Med. 2023;18(9):749-758. doi:10.2217/rme-2023-0071