Nebraska Runner Shares His Experience With Regenerative Medicine for Chronic Knee Pain
When chronic knee pain threatened to bring his running days to an end, Tom Osterbuhur began looking for options beyond knee replacement surgery.
Tom, a runner from Bellevue, Nebraska, had been evaluated by orthopedic surgeons after X-rays and an MRI showed significant degeneration in his knee. According to Tom, he was told his knee was nearly “bone on bone” and that he could need a total knee replacement within two years.
But Tom wasn't ready to give up running.
After researching his options, he contacted Kansas Regenerative Medicine Center (KRMC) and was evaluated for stem cell therapy for knee pain. After determining that he was a candidate, Tom chose to undergo treatment using his own stem cells.
Back to Running: Tom’s Experience After Stem Cell Therapy for His Knee
In his patient story, Tom describes what happened during the year and a half following his procedure.
Tom reported returning to running without knee pain and logging more than 100 miles per month for several months. He also reported returning to a 5K time of 21:20. At the time his story was recorded, he was preparing to run three legs of a 70+ mile relay between Omaha and Lincoln.
For Tom, being able to run again meant much more than exercise. Running was an important part of his life, and he was grateful to be participating in the activity he loved.
Because of you, I got back something that I love. I didn’t lose my love to run, and now I didn’t lose my ability.
Tom Osterbuhur
Kansas Regenerative Medicine Center Patient
Tom’s story represents his individual experience. Results vary from patient to patient.
Can Stem Cell Therapy Be an Alternative to Knee Replacement?
For people living with chronic knee pain, osteoarthritis or joint degeneration, regenerative medicine may be an option to explore before deciding whether to undergo major joint surgery.
Stem cell therapy and knee replacement are very different procedures, however, and regenerative medicine is not an appropriate substitute for surgery in every patient. Some knee conditions may still require surgical treatment.
At Kansas Regenerative Medicine Center, patients are evaluated individually to determine whether they may be candidates for regenerative medicine. Factors such as symptoms, medical history, imaging and treatment goals may be considered as part of the evaluation.
Learn more about whether you may be a candidate for stem cell therapy.
Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Pain in Runners and Active Adults
Chronic knee pain can be especially frustrating for runners and other active adults because it can interfere with exercise, training and everyday mobility.
Knee pain can have many causes, including osteoarthritis, previous injuries and other changes within the joint. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), knee arthritis can cause pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty with everyday activities.
Determining the cause and severity of knee pain is an important part of evaluating potential treatment options.
For active adults interested in regenerative medicine, KRMC provides individualized evaluations to determine whether stem cell therapy for knees may be an option to consider.
From Nebraska to Kansas for Regenerative Medicine
Tom traveled from Bellevue, Nebraska, to Kansas Regenerative Medicine Center for treatment. KRMC regularly serves patients who travel from communities throughout Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and the surrounding Midwest.
KRMC provides regenerative medicine care at locations in Manhattan, Kansas, and Kansas City, Kansas.
If knee pain is keeping you from running, walking, exercising or participating in the activities that matter to you, an evaluation can help you better understand your options.
Call 844-320-4700 to learn more or request an evaluation.
Individual results vary. Regenerative medicine treatments for orthopedic conditions are not FDA-approved. Treatment is not guaranteed to relieve pain or eliminate the need for future medical or surgical treatment.
