Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis Overview

Affecting millions of Americans and countless individuals living in the Denver, Vail and Aspen, Colorado communities, arthritis is a common joint disorder that has the ability to hinder everyday life. People in the Greater Denver area suffering from osteoarthritis now have a safe, effective and innovative treatment available to them known as stem cell therapy for arthritis. Dr. Matthew Provencher offers stem cell arthritis treatment to patients who have exhausted conservative measures and are wanting to prolong or eliminate surgery.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint condition in the United States. This condition occurs when the articular cartilage that covers the ends of each bone begins to break down from normal aging or continued wear and tear. With constant degeneration, bone begins to rub against bone and causes chronic joint pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Osteoarthritis is most often diagnosed in older individuals, but can also impact young, active individuals with a history of past joint injury or surgery.

What is Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis?

Stem cells are characterized as basic human cells that have the ability to create new cells and provide a modulation in inflammation in areas affected by osteoarthritis. Stem cells also work with the body’s natural healing process to provide accelerated healing and tissue regeneration.

Stem cell arthritis treatment utilizes a patient’s own adult stem cells found in their bone marrow. By using a patient’s own stem cells, Dr. Provencher is better able to reduce the risk of infection, tissue rejection and disease transmission associated with the highly controversial fetal/embryonic stem cells.

Patients over the age of 60 years may require an allograft form of stem cells derived from a donor’s amniotic sac after delivery of a baby. This is because the human body does not produce stem cells in the same manner once an individual reaches 60+ years of age. Dr. Provencher and his orthopedic team will discuss this item in great detail with each patient on an individual basis.

How is Stem Cell Arthritis Treatment Performed?

Stem cell therapy for arthritis begins by Dr. Provencher harvesting a small amount of bone marrow directly from the patient, most commonly from the pelvis region. Once the bone marrow sample is extracted, it is spun in a centrifuge to separate the white blood cells, plasma and platelets from the red blood cells. The three healing agents (white blood cells, platelets and plasma) are then combined and injected directly into the arthritic joint to help promote healing and tissue regeneration.

Stem cell arthritis treatment is an innovative, non-surgical treatment option for numerous patients impacted by osteoarthritis. As an orthopedic physician highly involved in research and education, Dr. Provencher continues to study this evolving regenerative medicine technique to better assist patients with healing.


To learn more about stem cell arthritis treatment, or to determine if you are an ideal candidate for stem cell therapy for arthritis, please contact the Denver, Vail and Aspen, Colorado area office of Dr. Matthew Provencher.