How is rheumatoid arthritis different from osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is wear in the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is the immune system attacking the lining of the joint, often several joints at once, with inflammation that comes and goes in flares. The two are treated differently, and your medical review confirms which you have.

How is the treatment given?

Usually by intravenous delivery, so the cells circulate to every joint involved. Where one joint, such as a wrist or knee, drives most of your symptoms, a targeted injection may be added. Both in a single visit to our licensed clinic in San José.

Do I stop my current medication?

Not on our account. Your existing treatment is reviewed as part of your medical evaluation, and any change is a decision for you and your rheumatologist together.

When might I notice a change?

Responses vary. Some patients report changes within weeks; others over several months. We follow up with you on a set schedule after treatment.

Who is not a candidate?

Active infection, certain cancers, and some other conditions rule treatment out. Your medical review determines candidacy, not this page.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Stem Cell Treatment

How stem cell therapy may help with rheumatoid arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis the immune system turns on the synovium, the thin lining inside each joint. The lining inflames, the joint swells, and over years the cartilage and bone beneath it wear away. Medication suppresses the immune response; it does not settle the inflammation inside the joint itself.

Mesenchymal stem cells are studied for their ability to moderate the immune activity that drives the inflammation.
Research examines how cell signalling may affect inflammation and the tissue environment. Evidence and clinical outcomes vary by application.
Treatment is delivered intravenously, with a targeted injection where one joint is doing most of the damage.
Cells are prepared in our own laboratory and used fresh, never frozen.
The protocol is written for your joints, your blood work and your goals.

Concerns to discuss with your care team

Painful hands and wrists

The small joints that hurt to grip, turn a key or hold a cup, on both sides at once.

Swelling and warmth

Joints that are tender, puffy and warm to the touch, worse during a flare.

Morning stiffness

An hour or more before the joints loosen enough to start the day.

Losing your independence

Buttons, jar lids, a handshake. The ordinary tasks that have quietly become hard.

Who may be a candidate

Adults with diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis whose pain, stiffness or swelling persist despite conventional medication may be evaluated. Candidacy is decided by our physicians after a medical review of your history, your current treatment and recent blood work, never by a form.

Treatment is not offered where there is active infection, certain cancers, or other conditions identified in review.

What to expect

1. Evaluation

A call with a patient advisor, then a medical review of your records, recent blood work and any joint imaging.

2. Treatment plan

Protocol, schedule and the full investment, written for your case and discussed with you before you travel.

3. Treatment in San José

Travel and stay arranged for you. Treatment by our physicians in our Ministry of Health–licensed clinic.

4. Follow-up care

Scheduled check-ins with our team after you return home.

Investment

Each plan is built for one patient. In your consultation we walk through the full investment and exactly what it includes: cells, clinical care, and the arrangements around your stay.

The Cellebration approach

Fresh, never frozen. Ask how cells are prepared and evaluated for your proposed care.
Physician-led. Clinical decisions by our medical team, in a licensed clinic.
An informed discussion. Review the evidence, limitations and alternatives relevant to your condition.
Personalized support. A care team helps coordinate the treatment journey.

Rheumatoid Arthritis