Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed for joint pain. What is the long-term effect of these common medications on knee cartilage?
Ding et al examined 395 patients with a mean age of 62 over 2.9 years in an effort to answer the question. MRIs were performed which evaluated both knee cartilage volume and cartilage defects. Patients taking NSAID’s had increased knee cartilage defects and more loss in cartilage volume than patients who did not take NSAIDs. Bottom line is that NSAIDs have a detrimental effect on knee cartilage.
The Centeno-Schultz Clinic recognized this several years ago when mesenchymal stem cells in patients on NSAIDs failed to grow in a similar fashion as those who were not on these types of medication. Mesenchymal stem cells, plasma-rich platelets (PRP), prolotherapy, and APC are several of the treatment options at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic.
