Posts Tagged Platelet Rich Plasma
Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Informed Consent
Posted by Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D. in Stem Cells on May 16, 2012
Assume you have read my blog or learned from the web about our ethos – don’t just recover, conquer. You have scheduled an appointment, undergone the assessment, completed X-rays and the MRI and I have determined that you are a candidate for a regenerative medical procedure for your arthritis. The next step is informed consent.
While there is no data that allows me to promise that I can cause your cartilage to re-grow, there is ample evidence-Regenexx has over 5,000 cases-that allows me to say it is more likely than not that your bone marrow aspirated and concentrated adult mesenchymal stem cells may reduce or eliminate your pain and improve your function. One hope of stem cell treatment is influencing cartilage repair; unlikely though after, age 50. On the other hand, I have a new approach being instituted, arthroscopic debridement with stem cell repair. As an orthopedic surgeon, this will be one of my contributions to the new world. As far though as altering the bio-immune response of the synovium in the arthritic joint, there is little question and that is why I am willing to say that within a reasonable degree of medical certainty, I can minimize or eliminate your pain. Now you ask at what risk? As of now, there are two downsides as no procedure is risk free. Associated with any invasive procedure including minimally invasive needling is the risk of infection. While we only use a needle, it is an invasive procedure. Regenexx to the best of my knowledge has not experienced any deep infections in association with their outcomes surveillance. Second, there are a certain percentage of patients who do not respond as hoped. The revision intervention for superficial infection is an antibiotic; for failure it is a repeat attempt at Regenerative Medicine or a joint replacement. To date in the closely monitored outcomes of the 5,000 Regenexx patients, no tumor growth has been reported. Please keep in mind that your adult cells are reintroduced in to a closed environment, a capsulated joint. I repeat the Regenexx experience and data because theirs is the only outcomes evidence available. All other approaches and all other companies have depended on anecdote in the absence of gathering scientific evidence.
To the best of my knowledge, the cost of Regenerative Medicine is assumed by the patient. No insurance carrier and certainly not Medicare at this time will pay for stem cell management of arthritis. If the aspiration of your bone marrow and the concentration thereof is done under IRB oversight, we are in complete accordance with FDA governance. Someday, the indemnification community may choose to cover Regenerative Medicine, especially when our studies demonstrate the cost savings when compared to a total joint replacement. The global charge for a joint implant runs between $45,000 and $60,000; a revision, about $70,00 to $120,000. Should an infection ensue, the costs may go up by another $150,000 additional. Then there is rehabilitation; Regenerative Medicine is a matter of weeks, not months as in a joint replacement
What about outcomes; am I really able to compare those of stem cell management with a total joint replacement? Watch Kobi Bryant in the NBA playoffs or Alex Rodriguez, as third baseman for the New York Yankees. If you want to learn more, call and schedule an appointment. In my new website, where I hope to become your resource for Regenerative Medicine, there will be a section of new patient stories and the results of treatment. Stay tuned.
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
1565 N. LaSalle Street . Chicago . Illinois . 60610
847.390.7666 or 312.475.1893
Bone Marrow Concentrate for Arthritis; the potential benefits and risks
Posted by Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D. in Hip Pain, knee, Osteoarthritis, Platelet Rich Plasma, Regenerative Pain Center, Stem Cells on March 8, 2012
Musculoskeletal Care of the Mature Patient
The potential benefit of regenerative medicine is avoidance of orthopedic surgery. That’s the goal and I am the orthopedic surgeon leading the charge. I have spent several years now investigating, meeting, traveling, learning and preparing for that reality with the start-up anticipated in mid-April. While there is anecdote about subjective improvement following autologous, mesenchymal, Bone Marrow Concentrate derived stem cells for management of arthritis, there are no peer reviewed published long-term clinical outcomes to the best of my knowledge. There have been testimonials by orthopedic surgeons that following the adjunctive use of stem cells in conjunction with arthroscopic micro fracture of an arthritis knee, when the patient subsequently underwent knee replacement, hyaline cartilage was observed growing rather than fibro cartilage. This is not good enough for me, as I want a procedure that will postpone the need for a joint replacement or possibly eliminate that need. Is it a matter of when to intervene with regenerative medicine? When there is major deformity of an arthritic joint, significant alteration in function and a “bone on bone” X-ray, it probably is too late. Will regenerative medical intervention delay the joint replacement by a three to five year control of pain by the anti-inflammatory nature of bone marrow concentrate or will the joint cartilage actually re-grow? These are unanswered questions and what I seek to learn as I embark on my clinical project
Recently, the orthopedic surgical spine community became aware of a fourfold risk of cancer in patients who underwent spinal fusion using Bone Morphogenic Protein to increase the likelihood of successful fusion. As a result, attention quickly was redirected to stem cells as an adjunct in spinal surgery to replace human BMP. As of this writing, I have found no evidence of carcinogenesis in conjunction with autologous, mesenchymal Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrated stem cells used in the skeleton and certainly not when used in a joint. The same might not be said when embryonic stem cells have been injected into the blood of patients to treat probably what shouldn’t be addressed with stem cells in the first place. Desperate people are not infrequently victims of charlatans as has been repeatedly pointed out on 60 Minutes. Contrast the risks of stem cell misdeeds with the benefits of scientific application. Today, the AMA News headline covered the potential for stem cells to eliminate the need for long-term anti-rejection pharmaceuticals in organ transplant recipients.
How to avoid orthopedic surgery by an orthopedic surgeon? Not just a mission statement by an ethos. Call to see if you are a candidate.
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
847-390-7666
1565 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610
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Hand Surgery Alternative for Arthritis and Injury
Posted by Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D. in Hand, Osteoarthritis on February 21, 2012
I have recently seen an increasing number of patients with altered function of their hands because of pain or reduced range of motion due to common injuries, overuse, basal joint arthritis/osteoarthritis, or other degenerative problems.
Thumb arthritis (or basal joint arthritis) can appear early in life. Because of the constant swiveling and pivoting motions of the basal joint–the joint at the base of the thumb, or thumb CMC (carpometacarpal) joint–the thumb joint tends to wear out easily. Basal joint arthritis is also common in people who have osteoarthritis. As well, tendinitis in the wrist and hand is rampant because of over use of the computer mouse and improper ergonomics.
One way to treat the arthritic condition is with total joint reconstruction surgery. Perhaps over use syndromes may be reduced via voice recognition software but I personally still need to edit and then correct about 15% of my dictations. While surgery may improve the condition for some, this is not the case for all. New problems in the thumb joint may redevelop over time, causing such symptoms as numbness or tenderness. Then there is amazing increase in the occurrence of trigger finger and De Quervains Disease; both which lend themselves to ultrasound guided injection.
A reasonably successful approach to all of these wrist and hand problems is to start with an ultrasound guided intraarticular cortisone injection. Should the latter be of short-term relief, then platelet rich plasma may be successful for a longer period. Before considering the surgical alternative, be aware that Regenexx has published the outcome of 6 patients who were just under a year out (11.3 months) from treatment with their own stem cells 83.4% of thumb patients are reporting greater than 50% improvement after a simple injection of their own stem cells, 66.7% of thumb patients are reporting greater than 75% improvement and the average change is 70% improved. No significant complications in this group were reported.
If you have pain in your hand or wrist, start with a change in the ergonomics in your work place. Most office suppliers have the necessary mechanical devices available. The next step is an arthritic glove available in most large drug stores. If unsuccessful, the next step is an ultrasound guided injection of cortisone, platelet rich plasma and then stem cells in that order when all else fails.
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
847-390-7666
1565 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60622
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On Proteins, PRP, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Stem Cells and Orthokine
Posted by Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D. in Platelet Rich Plasma, Regenerative Pain Center, Stem Cells on January 4, 2012
The difference between platelet-rich plasma therapy, also known as PRP, and the Orthokine treatment that Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant and other athletes have received in recent months in Germany is fairly straight forward. I personally treat athletic injuries and arthritis with PRP; but, do not use the Orthokine procedure because it is not approved in the United States or Canada.
With PRP, I withdraw 20 cc blood, spin it in a special kit and inject plasma that is rich in platelets and lymphocytes into joints, thereby introducing growth factor and hopefully helping the body to heal itself. In the Orthokine procedure, 20 ccs of a patient’s blood are mixed in a tube with ‘factors,’ incubated for a time , the blood is spun down, and the substance is injected much in the same way as PRP.
The theory of Orthokine, which has also been used by Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant and golfers Vijay Singh and Fred Couples, among other athletes, is that Orthokine addresses one of the possible triggers of joint disease; thought to be the protein interleukin. The theory is an attack on one of the culprits behind arthritis. The protein is an important part of the body’s immune system and has the ability to alter the function of other cells. IL-1 can be positive when it allows the body’s ‘repair troops’ to move in quickly to fight infection or other kinds of damage; but it can also trigger inflammatory processes that lead to degeneration and breakdown of cartilage. These negative effects are primarily responsible for the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis.
The Germans say that another protein that counteracts the effects of IL-1 is a ‘good protein’ in the body called anti-IL(1) produced by blood cells that protects cartilage by keeping the pro-inflammatory proteins in check. It is the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory and that is what gets mixed in prior to incubation.
In none of these treatments, PRP, stem-cell therapy Yankee pitcher Bartolo Colon had performed in the Dominican Republic. Is there good published research readily available that confirms they are effective, although it could turn out to be so. Individual anecdotes suggest they work. The procedures are not banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency or by Major League Baseball. However, Rodriguez was given the go-ahead by MLB and the Yankees to have it done in Germany. While PRP is available throughout the United States, the Regenerative Pain Clinic Bone Marrow Concentrate Stem Cell Pilot is now open for enrollment. Bone Marrow Concentrate has all the right proteins but does it work? Why am I advocating Bone Marrow Concentrate?
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What’s in Bone Marrow Concentrate: Both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the factors: Fibroblast Growth Factor-b, PDGF-AB, TGF-B, and VEGF. |
Call to see if you might qualify for the clinical pilot trial.
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
1565 N LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60622
847-390-7666
