Joint Replacement Alternative: 5 Regenerative Arthritis Therapies at Lecheng

For years, I have sat across from patients who have come to accept joint pain as an inevitable part of aging. They tell me about the creaking knees that make climbing stairs a negotiation, the swollen fingers that can no longer fasten a button, the hips that ache after a short walk. They have tried the over-the-counter painkillers, the glucosamine supplements, the physical therapy sessions. Some have even undergone corticosteroid injections—only to find the relief temporary, the underlying degeneration unchanged.

“Is there really nothing more we can do?” they ask. For decades, the honest answer was often discouraging. But today, thanks to the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, I can finally offer a different response. Over the past several years, Lecheng has introduced a portfolio of international innovations for osteoarthritis and related joint conditions that go far beyond symptom suppression. These are not incremental improvements—they are fundamental shifts in how we approach joint preservation and regeneration. And as someone who has spent years watching patients struggle with the limitations of conventional treatments, I want to share what these new options mean.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting an estimated 133 million people in China alone. It is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage—the smooth, protective tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form a joint. As cartilage wears away, bone rubs against bone, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis typically develop gradually. Patients often report joint pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest, morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes, a grating sensation (crepitus) during movement, and, in advanced cases, joint deformity and loss of function. The knee, hip, hand, and spine are the most commonly affected joints.

The factors that contribute to osteoarthritis are well documented. Age is the single most important risk factor—the prevalence rises sharply after age 65. Obesity significantly increases the mechanical load on weight-bearing joints, particularly the knees, and is one of the most modifiable risk factors. Gender also plays a role: women, especially post-menopausal women, are more likely to develop OA than men. Other contributing factors include joint injury or trauma, repetitive occupational stress (such as in farming, mining, or driving), genetic predisposition, and metabolic disorders. As the population ages and obesity rates climb, the burden of osteoarthritis is projected to grow substantially.

While osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition driven by mechanical wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is fundamentally different. RA is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium—the lining of the membranes that surround the joints. This triggers inflammation that thickens the synovium, which can eventually destroy the cartilage and bone within the joint.

The symptoms of RA are distinct from those of OA. Patients typically experience joint pain, swelling, and redness, often affecting the small joints of the hands and feet symmetrically. Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes is a hallmark feature, along with fatigue, low-grade fever, and systemic malaise. Unlike OA, which tends to affect specific joints, RA is polyarticular—it involves multiple joints simultaneously.

If left untreated or inadequately managed, RA can lead to irreversible joint damage and deformity. The inflammatory process erodes cartilage and bone, causing joint space narrowing, subluxation, and eventual functional impairment. Beyond the joints, uncontrolled RA can affect other organs, leading to pulmonary fibrosis, vasculitis, skin ulceration, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as coronary artery disease and stroke. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are therefore critical—not only to preserve joint function but also to prevent life-threatening systemic complications.

Before I describe the innovations available at Lecheng, it is worth acknowledging the limitations of conventional approaches. For osteoarthritis, standard care typically begins with weight loss, physical therapy, and analgesics such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs. When these fail, intra-articular corticosteroid injections may offer temporary relief, but they do not alter disease progression and carry risks with repeated use. Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid provides lubrication and modest pain relief, but its effects are often short-lived. For advanced OA, the only definitive option has been joint replacement surgery—a major procedure with significant recovery time, risks, and limitations in younger, active patients.

For rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment paradigm has advanced considerably with the introduction of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics. However, these therapies require lifelong systemic immunosuppression, come with significant side effects, and are not effective in all patients. Moreover, they primarily address the inflammatory component of the disease rather than promoting tissue repair or regeneration.

These gaps—the need for regenerative solutions, for non-surgical options in early-to-moderate disease, and for therapies that address the underlying biology rather than just the symptoms—are precisely what Lecheng’s innovations are designed to fill.

In June 2025, Lecheng welcomed the China debut of Supintro™, a sterile, absorbable hyaluronic acid intra-articular gel implant developed in Turkey. The product received CE certification in May 2021 and has been used in over one million syringes across the European Union, benefiting approximately 450,000 patients.

Supintro is a sterile, pre-filled, viscoelastic gel intended for intra-articular injection. It works through a dual mechanism that sets it apart from conventional hyaluronic acid products. First, it provides joint lubrication and shock absorption, offering symptomatic relief from pain and stiffness. Second, and more importantly, it is designed to activate the self-repair capacity of articular cartilage, promoting structural regeneration in the damaged joint. By combining anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and regenerative effects, Supintro represents a “three-in-one” approach to osteoarthritis care.

Compared to traditional hyaluronic acid injections, Supintro offers several advantages. Its absorbable gel formulation is designed to persist longer in the joint, providing sustained mechanical support while gradually releasing components that stimulate endogenous repair. The product is indicated for a broad range of joint conditions, including osteoarthritis, early cartilage injury, knee joint pathology, and meniscus degeneration. For patients with early-to-moderate OA who are not yet candidates for surgery, Supintro offers a biologically active alternative to simple pain palliation.

In November 2024, Lecheng introduced Hyalofast, a biodegradable cartilage repair scaffold. Hyalofast is a 3D non-woven scaffold composed of HYAFF—a 100% benzyl ester of hyaluronic acid, which is the primary component of the extracellular matrix in human cartilage. The scaffold is designed to serve as a support matrix for mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), providing a physical structure that facilitates cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation into cartilage-forming cells.

Hyalofast is indicated for chondral and osteochondral lesions of the knee, ankle, and hip. In clinical practice, the scaffold is typically combined with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) or MSCs, creating a cell-seeded construct that is implanted into the cartilage defect. As the HYAFF fibers gradually degrade, hyaluronic acid is released into the lesion site, creating a microenvironment that promotes cartilage regeneration.

What distinguishes Hyalofast from conventional cartilage repair techniques—such as microfracture, osteochondral autograft transplantation (OAT), or autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI)—is its simplicity and versatility. Unlike ACI, which requires two surgeries and ex vivo cell expansion, Hyalofast can be used in a single-stage procedure. The 3D scaffold provides structural support that guides tissue organization, helping to restore the normal anatomical architecture of the joint. It is CE-marked and has been used clinically in Europe and North America. For patients with focal cartilage defects who wish to avoid joint replacement, Hyalofast offers a biologically rational, tissue-engineered solution.

In March 2021, RegenoGel became one of the first international osteoarthritis therapies to be introduced in Lecheng. RegenoGel is an injectable gel composed entirely of naturally compatible materials, designed for the treatment of moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis. Its mechanism of action is centered on promoting regenerative healing while minimizing side effects.

Clinical experience with RegenoGel has demonstrated that a single course of treatment can provide therapeutic effects lasting at least 12 months in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis. The product effectively reduces pain, improves range of motion, and enhances overall quality of life. Because it is made entirely from biocompatible materials, it carries a low risk of adverse reactions.

What sets RegenoGel apart from traditional viscosupplementation is not just its longevity but its regenerative potential. While conventional HA injections primarily provide temporary lubrication, RegenoGel is designed to create a biological environment conducive to tissue repair. The product has been used in Israel and other countries, and its introduction in Lecheng marked the first time it became available to patients in China. For patients with advanced OA who are not yet ready for joint replacement—or who are not candidates for surgery—RegenoGel offers a durable, non-surgical alternative.

The PRP component is derived from the patient’s own blood. It is a leukocyte-poor PRP formulation, meaning it is selectively enriched for platelets and growth factors while efficiently removing pro-inflammatory leukocytes. This design enhances the anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects of the treatment while minimizing the risk of inflammatory reactions. The HA component provides joint lubrication, shock absorption, and a sustained-release vehicle that potentiates the biological activity of the growth factors released by the platelets.

The combination of PRP and HA creates a synergistic effect that is greater than the sum of its parts. The hyaluronic acid not only protects the joint surfaces but also enhances the tissue response to the growth factors released from the activated platelets. The preparation process is rapid and convenient—blood is drawn, centrifuged for five minutes at room temperature, and the combined solution is ready for injection. The entire procedure is minimally invasive, performed on an outpatient basis, and carries a low risk of complications.

Compared to standalone PRP or HA injections, the PRP+HA combination offers superior clinical outcomes in terms of pain relief, functional improvement, and durability of effect. For patients with knee osteoarthritis who have not responded to conservative measures, this combination therapy provides an evidence-based, cell-free regenerative option.

In late 2021, Lecheng introduced nSTRIDE® autologous protein injection therapy, developed by Zimmer Biomet. The therapy uses a specialized device—the GPSIII or GPSIII Mini autologous protein concentrator system—to process the patient’s own blood into a highly concentrated protein solution.

The nSTRIDE system works by isolating anti-inflammatory cytokines and anabolic growth factors from the patient’s blood. These bioactive proteins are then injected back into the affected joint. The concentrated protein solution modulates the inflammatory environment within the joint, reducing pain and inflammation while simultaneously promoting cartilage health. This dual action—anti-inflammatory and anabolic—addresses both the symptoms and the underlying biology of osteoarthritis.

One of the most compelling features of nSTRIDE is its durability. A single injection provides therapeutic benefit lasting two to three years, eliminating the need for the frequent repeat injections that characterize many conventional osteoarthritis treatments. The entire procedure—from blood draw to injection—takes approximately 20 minutes. The therapy is indicated for early-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grades I–III) in patients who are not yet candidates for surgical intervention.

What distinguishes nSTRIDE from conventional corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections is its disease-modifying potential. Rather than simply masking pain, nSTRIDE targets the inflammatory pathways that drive osteoarthritis progression, offering the possibility of slowing or altering the natural history of the disease. The therapy has been used extensively in Europe and the United States, particularly in athletic and physically active populations. Its introduction in Lecheng marks a significant addition to the non-surgical armamentarium for osteoarthritis.

The common thread linking all of these innovations is Lecheng itself. As China’s only national-level medical special zone, Lecheng operates under a “pioneering pilot” policy that allows innovative drugs and devices—already approved by major international regulators such as the EU CE mark or the US FDA—to be introduced and used clinically in China before they receive full national approval. To date, Lecheng has introduced more than 490 clinically urgent imported pharmaceuticals and medical devices, benefiting hundreds of thousands of patients.

This policy framework transforms Lecheng into a living laboratory for cutting-edge medicine. Patients no longer need to travel abroad to access the world’s most advanced joint care technologies. They can receive treatment in a regulated, high-quality clinical environment, with the same standards of care as patients in Europe or the United States. The availability of Supintro, Hyalofast, RegenoGel, PRP+HA, and nSTRIDE—all in one location—represents an unprecedented concentration of regenerative and biological therapies for joint disease.