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Meniscus damage and rupture
regenerative medicine (stem cell therapy) Meniscus damage and rupture

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    Regenerative Medicine (Stem Cell Therapy)

Meniscus injuries can be treated without cutting.
No cutting,
The latest treatment without stitches.

Our unique
treatment

Notified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare! What is the next generation of regenerative medicine?
Dr. Sakamoto explains in detail about "regenerative medicine by induction of differentiation (stem cell therapy)" that intensively regenerates damaged tissues at
!

Symptoms and Treatment of Meniscus Injury: A Doctor Explains!
When is surgery necessary? Regenerative Medicine

Click here for more videos
What you can no longer do, you can do again.
What you can no longer do, you can do again.

Guaranteed Warranty Program for Joint Stem Cell Therapy Guaranteed Warranty Program for Joint Stem Cell Therapy

Guaranteed Warranty Program for Joint Stem Cell Therapy Guaranteed Warranty Program for Joint Stem Cell Therapy

Meniscus Case Reports

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Do you need surgery right away?

If I am diagnosed with a meniscus injury or tear, do I uniformly need surgery?

While surgery may be recommended depending on the condition of the meniscus injury, there is also the option of conservative treatment for those whose symptoms are not pronounced. For example, even if a patient is diagnosed with a meniscus injury after an MRI scan, if the pain is not so severe and does not significantly affect daily life, surgery is usually not recommended.

However, it is actually better to perform surgery. Leaving a meniscus injury untreated increases the likelihood that the meniscus will widen. And it increases the likelihood of transition to osteoarthritis of the knee in a few years.

Knee injury while playing tennis

So when should I consider surgery
What is it?

Many physicians may recommend surgery when pain makes walking difficult or bending and stretching of the knee impossible. Until I encountered regenerative medicine, I too had chosen arthroscopic surgery for patients who had pain that interfered with their daily lives or who had difficulty bending and stretching their knees due to the meniscus being trapped in the joint.

However, an alternative to surgery, stem cell therapy, is now an option.

Figure: Areas around the knee
Figure: Areas around the knee

Surgery for meniscus injuries involves the risk of cartilage abrasion and
progressive joint deformity.

There are two typical methods of meniscus injury surgery: suturing the meniscus together (suture) and cutting the meniscus out (resection). In general, because the meniscus is a tissue with little blood flow, it is often difficult to repair the damaged area, and even if it is stitched back together, it is often difficult to restore it to its original state.
For this reason, resection is performed in about 90% of surgeries.

Ten Years After Meniscectomy
An amazing clinical report!

The meniscus plays a cushioning role in the knee joint, and after a meniscectomy, the cartilage wears away and the joint becomes deformed after several years. The chance of developing knee osteoarthritis is several times higher after a meniscectomy than after a suture.

In fact, there are alarming clinical reports that show that about 30% of the general population develops knee osteoarthritis and as many as 70% of athletes develop knee osteoarthritis when surveyed 10 years after resection due to meniscus injury.

Incidence of osteoarthritis of the knee 10 years after meniscectomy: 30% in the general population, 70% in athletes
Incidence of osteoarthritis of the knee 10 years after meniscectomy: 30% in the general population, 70% in athletes

What is the success rate of meniscus suture and
the possibility of re-tear?

If you choose to have surgery to sew up the meniscus, you will still have a cushion in your knee, which is a good thing, but on the other hand, you need to be careful. Although the success rate of surgery is as high as 75-90%, the problem is that there is a risk of re-tear after the surgery.

In fact, it is estimated that even after going through the trouble of suturing the meniscus, the rate of re-tear after four years occurs in about one in three patients. In this case, surgery is needed again, and there is a possibility that part of the meniscus may be removed. In such cases, rehabilitation after surgery may take several months, making it difficult to return to work early.

Therefore, when considering surgery, it is important to carefully consider these factors and make a prudent decision.

Meniscus suture: 75-90% success rate of suture, 30% re-tear 4 years after suture.
Meniscus suture: 75-90% success rate of suture, 30% re-tear 4 years after suture.

With regenerative medicine,
you don't have to cut out the meniscus.

When it comes to arthroscopic surgery, 90% of the time, the meniscus must be removed. Cutting out the meniscus increases the risk of joint deformity in a few years.

So with stem cell-based regenerative medicine, there is no need for surgery or hospitalization, and the meniscus does not have to be removed. Whatever the type of injury or tear, the meniscus can be left intact and treated, thereby reducing subsequent deformation of the joint.

experimental
Resistance to arthroscopic surgery, want to get rid of pain early and return to sports Resistance to arthroscopic surgery, want to get rid of pain early and return to sports
For regenerative medicine. For regenerative medicine.
Joint deformities can be reduced. Joint deformities can be reduced.

Further Regenerative Medicine Benefits

Another advantage of regenerative medicine is the ease of treatment for meniscus injuries. We mentioned that many physicians do not recommend surgery when the pain caused by meniscus damage is minimal. However, not only does a damaged meniscus not repair itself, but the damage may progress and the pain may intensify. To avoid this situation, the meniscus injury should be repaired as soon as possible.

However, if there are no major obstacles in one's daily life, one may be reluctant to undergo surgery. With regenerative medicine, therefore, the hurdle to treatment is lowered, as a simple injection is all that is needed to treat meniscus damage. In other words, regenerative medicine can prevent the progression of meniscus damage without surgery.

Photo: Dr. Sakamoto

Thus, regenerative medicine using adipose-derived stem cells has shown great promise as a treatment for meniscus injuries and tears without placing a heavy burden on the body.

What are stem cells in the first place?

Regenerative medicine can prevent meniscus injuries from spreading

Let's take a look at the actual photo.

Extended meniscus injury

Figure: Enlarged meniscus injury

Even a meniscus injury that does not interfere with daily life will eventually lead to osteoarthritis of the knee if left untreated.

  • normal

    Photo: Normal

  • Meniscus injury

    Photo: meniscus injury
Dr. Sakamoto explains
Dr. Sakamoto explains

For meniscus injuries and tears
What is our regenerative medicine?

People like this one
are indicated for regenerative medicine.

  • Long-term treatment and still have
    pain or
    poor joint movement in the knee.

  • For those who have been recommended arthroscopic or other surgical procedures but feel reluctant to undergo surgery.

  • Even if you don't have
    difficulty in daily life,
    you want to prevent future
    enlargement or
    aggravation of meniscus injuries.

  • For individuals seeking prompt relief from pain and aiming to return to social life or athletic activities.

If you have a meniscus injury

Have you heard of regenerative medicine?

Have you heard of regenerative medicine?
Have you heard of regenerative medicine?

The clinic offers
free consultations.

Free Consultation
  • Treatment methods and results
  • Unique stem cell therapy technology
  • Safety and risks
  • Treatment plans and pricing
Chairman Sakamoto
Call for a free consultation 0120-706-313 Toll free/ Office hours: 09:00-18:00
Inquiry / Email Consultation

Our Stem Cell Strengths

Characteristics of our hospital (1)

A New Stage in Stem Cell Therapy
Regenerative Medicine Moves into the Era of Differentiation Induction｜Joint Therapy

Regenerative medicine using differentiation induction enables more extensive repair of articular cartilage, meniscus, and osteonecrotic areas.

Delivering what you need where you need it (differentiation induction)
"The Next Generation of Regenerative Medicine"

A New Stage of Stem Cell Therapy
The Next Generation of "Regenerative Medicine " for Joints by Differentiation Induction

In our body, there are "stem cells," that can change into various forms like a fertilized egg.

For example, it can transform itself into nerves, blood vessels, bones, blood, muscles, etc.

This ability to transform is called differentiation..

I see that stem cells can differentiate into various tissues such as nerves, blood vessels, bone, blood, muscle, etc.

Stem cell differentiation
Stem cell differentiation
Stem cell differentiation

The process of guiding stem cells that change into various forms to differentiate into specific tissues such as bones and nerves is called "induction of differentiation.

By inducing differentiation, the administered stem cells can be fully utilized, thereby increasing the regenerative capacity of the targeted tissue.

By inducing stem cells to differentiate into
specific tissues, such as nerve or bone, you can increase the regenerative capacity of the
tissue you want to repair!

Induction of stem cell differentiation
Induction of stem cell differentiation
Induction of stem cell differentiation

Safety and Security

In this differentiation induction process, we do not use any chemical substances or manipulate genes. We use the power of our own cells, so you can receive our treatment with peace of mind.


regenerative medicine for joints by induction of differentiation

The cartilage of the joints has a foundation, which is called the subchondral bone (nankotsukakotsu).

By differentiating and inducing stem cells in this subchondral bone, it is now possible to prepare the foundation and generate a lot of cartilage on top of it, and also to maximize the effect on pain.

In order to regenerate cartilage in the joints, it is important to prepare the "subchondral bone,"
which is the foundation of the cartilage?

Regenerative medicine of joints by induction of differentiation
Regenerative medicine of joints by induction of differentiation

Characteristics of our hospital (2)

The quality of
stem cells is high because they are cultured without freezing.

Since the stem cells are cultured each time they are administered without freezing, they boast a high survival rate.

Our original culture, "as-is" culture
Our original culture, "as-is" culture

It's actually time-consuming to culture them "each time" as they are administered. But we use this method because it increases the survival rate at the time of administration!

Freshly cultured cells are fresh and lively! It is unique to our hospital that cells with high survival and activity rates can be administered every time.

Our original culture, "as-is" culture
Our original culture, "as-is" culture

As the cryopreservation period increases, the cells gradually die, and the surviving cells also lose quality.

Foods also lose their taste and quality when frozen!
It is best to use "freshly prepared" food made "at the time of use" for both cooking and cellular products!

Exactly! I would say that the quality of our unique "on-the-spot" culture is completely different from the general "make-ready" culture.

In Typical Cell Processing Facilities...
Cells are often frozen during storage and transport.

In addition, cryopreserved cells that are made and stored in cell processing rooms are generally transported frozen to other medical facilities.

These cryopreserved cells are transported to medical facilities while frozen, then thawed before use.However, many cells die or weaken during the thawing process, reducing their effectiveness.

General cell processing room General cell processing room

Features of our hospital (iii)

Using the patient's own blood
Safe culture method without blood substitutes

We do not use blood substitutes in cell culture.

I don't use it.
  • Blood substitutes
    (bovine serum, artificial serum)
We do not use blood substitutes in cell culture.

We insist on using only your own cells and
blood!

High safety and survival rates

At our clinic, we culture with your own blood, which is free of impurities and chemicals, ensuring high safety and survival rates. Some facilities use bovine blood or artificial blood called serum-free medium for culture.

High safety and survival rates

Generally, bovine blood and serum-free culture media are used for research purposes, but there are still concerns about allergies and mad cow disease in the clinical setting when actually administered to the human body.

In addition, although culturing stem cells from one's own blood requires advanced culturing techniques, stem cells cultured from one's own blood have strong vitality and can firmly repair damaged areas, enabling treatment with high regenerative potential.

High safety because cells are cultured using the patient's own blood

It is very difficult to culture them using their own blood, but they grow more vibrant cells that way.

I guess using your own cells and blood is more
compatible.

Features of our hospital (4)

Advanced technology for stem cell extraction
Proprietary separation sheets without chemicals or additives

We do not use chemicals or additives in cell culture

I don't use it.
  • Lipolytic enzymes
    (Chemicals)
  •  additive
We do not use any chemicals or additives during cell culture.

No chemicals or additives are used!

High safety and security /
Original culture technology

  • Using our own separation sheet, it is possible to culture stem cells with strong viability.
  • In culture methods using common degradative enzymes (chemicals), cells are weak and survival rates are low. Allergy is also a concern.
High safety and security / Original culture technology

Characteristics of our hospital (5)

High survival and activity rates

Stem cell viability and activity

Understanding stem cell viability and activity rates is very important in understanding regenerative medicine. Even when we talk about stem cell regenerative medicine, there is no uniformity in the way cells are cultured at different medical institutions. This means that the degree to which stem cells are viable and effective also varies from institution to institution.

In other words, the survival and activity rates of stem cells vary from institution to institution, and if the survival and activity rates are low, the desired effect cannot be expected.

Now we will discuss survival and activity rates.

What is Survival Rate?

Viability is the percentage of cultured stem cells that are alive.

Our Stem Cell Culture

Our stem cell culture, high survival rate
Our stem cell culture, high survival rate

General culture

General culture, low survival rate
General culture, low survival rate

What is activity rate?

The activity rate is the percentage of how healthy the living stem cells are.

Our Stem Cell Culture

Our stem cell culture, high activity rate Our stem cell culture, high activity rate

General culture

General culture, low activity rate General culture, low activity rate

Even at the same survival rate, if the living cells are
weaker, the fixation rate will also be lower.

No matter how high the survival rate is, if the living cells are inactive and weak, the stem cells will not be fully effective. In other words, even if the survival rate is high, if there are many weak cells with a low activity rate, the stem cell therapy will be less effective, the stem cell fixation rate will be low, and the therapeutic outcome will be poor.

Features of our hospital (6)

The amount of fat to be extracted is small (about 2-3 grains of rice)
and therefore less stressful to the body

A 1 cm incision is made around the lower abdomen and fat (about 2-3 grains of rice) is harvested. Stem cells are extracted and cultured from the harvested fat cells, and the number of stem cells is increased to 10 to 100 million before they are administered into the body. (The number of cells administered varies depending on whether it is intravenous infusion, intra-articular injection, or intraspinal injection.)

Because stem cells are grown in culture, fewer cells are needed to be harvested, the wound is smaller, and there is almost no pain, so the burden on the body is minimal.

Less burden on the body due to the small amount of cells collected (2-3 grains of rice)
Less burden on the body due to the small amount of cells collected (2-3 grains of rice)

Characteristics of our hospital (7)

Because more than 100 million cells can be administered,
treatment results are good

Since the stem cells are cultured each time they are administered without freezing, they boast a high survival rate.

Comparison of treatment outcomes
(for cartilage regeneration)

General Treatment

  • BEFORE (before stem cell administration) Sakamoto: "The light brown area is bare bone." BEFORE (before stem cell administration) Sakamoto: "The light brown area is bare bone."
  • Stem cell administration: 10 million typical doses Stem cell administration: 10 million typical doses
  • AFTER (6th month of stem cell administration) Cell-kun: "The white area is newly regenerated cartilage!" AFTER (6th month of stem cell administration) Cell-kun: "The white area is newly regenerated cartilage!"

Our Treatment

  • BEFORE (before stem cell administration) Sakamoto: "The light brown area is bare bone." BEFORE (before stem cell administration) Sakamoto: "The light brown area is bare bone."
  • Stem cell administration: 100 million typical doses Stem cell administration: 100 million typical doses
  • AFTER (6th month of stem cell administration) Cell-kun: "The white area is newly regenerated cartilage!" AFTER (6th month of stem cell administration) Cell-kun: "The white area is newly regenerated cartilage!"

Detailed treatment information

Treatment details
Cell therapy using autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (intra-articular knee injection).
Since the cells are cultured each time they are administered without freezing, the stem cells have a high survival rate.

Duration and number of treatments

Studies have shown that effects begin to appear 3-6 months after administration.

cost

25 million pieces: 1,320,000 yen (including tax)
50 million pieces: 1,540,000 yen (tax included)
100 million pieces: 1,980,000 yen (tax included)
*This is an unreserved treatment.
A counseling fee of 3,300 yen (including tax) and a blood test fee of 11,000 yen (including tax) are required.
*The price is for a single dose. Discounts will be applied as the number of doses increases.

Major Risks and Side Effects

Pain, swelling, and internal bleeding at the treatment site (generally resolves in a few days)
Infection (extremely rare, but infection may occur during cell culture or administration)
Allergic reactions (extremely rare due to the autologous nature of the cells)
Individual differences in efficacy (efficacy may vary depending on symptoms and age)

The above image was taken from the article " Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a proof-of-concept clinical trial. The image above is from the article "Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a proof-of-concept clinical trial.
In this study, the best results were obtained in the high-dose (100 million stem cells) group. Effectiveness may vary from person to person. Please contact our clinic for more information.

Compared to 10 million,
100 million stem cells administered is more
cartilage!

Conclusion. Conclusion. The more stem cells administered, the more
Good treatment results

In the picture, you can clearly see that the more stem cells administered, the more cartilage
is regenerated!

It is common practice to administer about 10 million stem cells in a joint. However, at our clinic, we can administer more than 100 million fresh stem cells that have not been cryopreserved, depending on the patient's symptoms.

It has been proven in clinical data from overseas that the greater the number of stem cells administered, the better the therapeutic outcome.

In addition..!

The quality assurance by a third-party organization makes
safe and secure.

All stem cells confirmed to meet quality standards

All stem cells confirmed to meet quality standards
All stem cells confirmed to meet quality standards

Stem cells cultured under strict control are
evaluated for quality by a third party
to see how they really are!

It's like a certificate of authenticity that proves that the diamond ring is real and of what quality.

Another regenerative medicine
What is PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy?

In addition to stem cell therapy, there is another type of regenerative medicine called PRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma therapy). This is a treatment method that uses one's own blood. When a wound occurs in the body, platelets and growth factors in the blood work to heal the wound.

PRP therapy isolates and treats these platelets and portions of the knee that contain high concentrations of growth factors; the effectiveness of PRP is utilized to control knee pain and inflammation caused by meniscus damage.

What is PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy?
What is PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy?

PRP Treatment Flow

  • drawing blood

    drawing blood

  • Centrifugation and extraction of plasma components

    Centrifugation and extraction of plasma components

  • Injection into the affected area

    Injection into the affected area

For more information

So what is the difference between stem cell therapy and PRP therapy
?

Stem cell therapy allows stem cells to transform into chondrocytes, which can repair and regenerate worn cartilage.

On the other hand, since PRP does not contain stem cells, it does not have the ability to regenerate cartilage and only has the effect of reducing joint inflammation.

PRP is like using your own blood to make hyaluronic acid, which is very effective.

  • PRP Therapy

    PRP Therapy

    PRP containing high levels of platelets is extracted and injected into the knee

    No stem cells, no regeneration of the meniscus

  • stem cell therapy

    Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
    Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

    Stem cells are extracted from the body and injected into the knee

    Stem cells regenerate damaged meniscus

Stem Cell Therapy Procedure

At our clinic, stem cell therapy is performed according to the following procedure.

  • Initial consultation and interview (approx. 2 hours)

    01

    Initial consultation and interview (approx. 2 hours)

    The physician will conduct a detailed investigation of the patient's condition and confirm whether stem cell therapy is suitable. After confirmation, the specific treatment process and details are explained, and if consent is obtained, a blood sample is drawn to test for infections and other diseases. After that, we will ask the patient to submit a consent form and start the treatment.

  • Fat collection (about 30 minutes)

    02

    Fat collection (about 30 minutes)

    Local anesthesia is administered to the patient's lower abdomen, and about three grains of fatty tissue are extracted.

  • Cell Culture Process

    03

    Cell Culture Process

    We have submitted a notification to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and professionally process adipose tissue collected at an accepted cell culture center into the specific cellular products required for treatment.

  • Local administration of specific cellular products (from about 5 min.)

    04

    Administration of specific cellular products

    Local administration (from about 5 min.)

If you have a meniscus injury

Have you heard of regenerative medicine?

Have you heard of regenerative medicine?
Have you heard of regenerative medicine?

The clinic offers
free consultations.

Free Consultation
  • Treatment methods and results
  • Unique stem cell therapy technology
  • Safety and risks
  • Treatment plans and pricing
Chairman Sakamoto
Call for a free consultation 0120-706-313 Toll free/ Office hours: 09:00-18:00
Inquiry / Email Consultation

Overview and Causes

Sports injuries, aging, etc.

Meniscus injuries can be caused by sports trauma or aging. Especially in sports, the meniscus is easily damaged by trauma, and in some cases, damage to the medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament may also occur at the same time.

Figure: Areas around the knee
Figure: Areas around the knee

symptoms

  •  Knee pain when walking or going up and down stairs
  •  May feel a twitching sensation in the knee
  •  Knee bending and stretching movements are restricted
  •  Water easily accumulates in the knees.

diagnosis

To diagnose a meniscus injury, various manual tests such as the Apley test, McMurray test, and hyperextension test, as well as the presence of tenderness, are performed. An MRI scan is necessary because X-rays cannot image the meniscus; an MRI provides a closer look at the morphology of the meniscus and helps determine a course of treatment.

MRI

Horizontal meniscus tear
Horizontal meniscus tear

arthroscopic findings

  • normal

    Photo: Normal

  • Meniscus injury

    Photo: meniscus injury

treatment

Regenerative medicine using adipose-derived stem cells

This is a state-of-the-art treatment that does not require surgery or hospitalization, and repairs and regenerates the meniscus without removal or suturing.
It is expected to reduce joint deformity that is expected to occur after surgery.

For more information

conservative therapy

Inflammation is reduced with injections of hyaluronic acid or steroids, painkillers, or compresses.
When water accumulates in the joints, a syringe is used to drain the joint fluid.
Physical therapy and strength training are also important.

procedure

The presence of a meniscus injury does not always mean that surgery is necessary. If there is no pain and minimal impact on daily life, there is an option not to have surgery. Generally, surgery is considered when daily life or sports activities are affected or when bending and stretching of the knee is difficult.
Arthroscopic surgery is used to remove and suture the damaged or torn area. However, because of the low blood flow to the meniscus, sutures are only successful in a limited number of places. As a result, 90% of patients who undergo surgery for meniscus injuries undergo resection.

The all-inside method, which uses special instruments and small incisions (0.5 to 1 cm) for suturing, is commonly used, but additional incisions (2 to 3 cm) may be required (inside-out or outside-in method), depending on the location of the tear and the suturing method. However, even with suture surgery, 30% of patients will tear again after 4 years. In addition, long-term rehabilitation is required after suture surgery.

Incidence of osteoarthritis of the knee 10 years after meniscectomy: 30% in the general population, 70% in athletes
Incidence of osteoarthritis of the knee 10 years after meniscectomy: 30% in the general population, 70% in athletes
Meniscus suture: 75-90% success rate of suture, 30% re-tear 4 years after suture.
Meniscus suture: 75-90% success rate of suture, 30% re-tear 4 years after suture.

Reoperation carries the risk of complications such as thrombosis, bleeding, nerve damage, and infection.
Thrombosis, in particular, is one of the most life-threatening and serious complications.

Surgical Therapy

Surgery is considered when conservative treatment is ineffective and interferes with daily life.
Surgery is carefully planned and performed because it is painful and carries a risk of complications.

We have administered adipose-derived stem cells to many patients. They have received regenerative medicine after learning about our clinic when they were unsure whether to undergo physically burdensome surgery. They are very happy that they did not have to undergo surgery because the pain was drastically reduced with just a simple injection.

I also hope that this regenerative medicine will spread in the future as an alternative treatment to surgery.

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