Special Announcement - Now Screening for FDA Approved Stem Cell Study
Dr. Mitchell Sheinkop has completed training and is credentialed for an FDA-approved stem cell clinical trial for knee arthritis. Our clinic is now screening patients for this trial. Contact us at 312-475-1893 for details. Click here to learn more.
Back from St Petersburg, Russia where I educated the Orthopedic   Surgeons from Russia, Ukraine and more

Back from St Petersburg, Russia where I educated the Orthopedic   Surgeons from Russia, Ukraine and more

“I already started getting numerous enquirers regarding your research and practical application of SCP using bone marrow material. People are asking how can they learn more, maybe pay a visit and observe the procedure with their own eyes. Quick and massive feedback, unprecedented.” This from the sponsor of the meeting of the Russian Orthopedic Society meeting in St Petersburg, September 21 to 23 where I had been an invited speaker to introduce Regenerative Orthopedics and Orthobiologics to an audience previously unaware of developments evolving in the United States wherein a patient symptomatic or otherwise affected by osteoarthritis might postpone or avoid a joint replacement with a needle rather than a knife.

What first struck me on our return from the airport on Monday afternoon while driving down the Kennedy was the unending display of outdoor advertising that really obstructs the view of the beautiful skyline of downtown Chicago. My wife and I had just enjoyed unobstructed beauty for five days in St Petersburg. While a case can be made for freedom of speech, I could rapidly adjust to less visual pollution in our City. Next came the pollution of Regenerative Medicine ads appearing in the newspaper when we arrived home and started catching up on the news. I had devoted four weeks developing my evidence based and outcomes supported, scientific presentations prior to departing on September 19 for the St Petersburg meeting, only to return to claims by local health care professionals without scientific authenticity and without evidence based support. While I was speaking at an international clinical conference to orthopedic surgeons; and the media hype appearing in Chicago and suburban newspapers was direct to the public marketing be it in an ad format or Health and Fitness section of a suburban newspaper, professionals have a moral, ethical and professional obligation to present materials based on evidence and science.   

Perhaps my criticism is the result of a view of health care from the unique perspective of an Orthopedic Surgeon integrating science and outcomes surveillance with clinical care in his practice. These are the reasons why I was invited to introduce evidence based cellular orthopedics to the international orthopedic community. If you want to take advantage of that knowledge and experience for the care and treatment of your arthritic joint, watch my webinar and visit the website www.ilcellulartherapy.com or call for a consultation 312 475 1893.

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Combining Bone Marrow Concentrate into the joint with Subchondroplasty

Combining Bone Marrow Concentrate into the joint with Subchondroplasty

We now are approaching five-year outcomes regarding the use of Bone Marrow Concentrate for Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, shoulder and ankle. Bone Marrow contains Adult Mesenchymal Stem (MSC) cells and Growth Factors. In the beginning, the entire informed consent process focused on the MSC in bone marrow as the agent responsible for diminishing pain, improving motion, stopping, at times reversing the progression of osteoarthritis, and potentially regenerating the joint itself. Now we know that equally important to the MSC are the growth factors produced and stored in the bone marrow. Some of the key proteins (Growth factors) include Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP), Alpha-2-Macroglobulin (A2M), fibrinogen, PDGF, VEGF, and TGF-B to name a few.

The reason we directed our clinical initiatives to Bone Marrow Concentrate is that while Amniotic Fluid contains Hyaluronic Acid, once harvested, sterilized and fast thawed for clinical application, there are no living stem cells left, so Amniotic Fluid Concentrate has no regenerative potential. When it comes to Adipose Derived Stem Cells, in order to liberate the stem cell from the adipocyte, an enzyme, collagenase must be employed. The latter is not approved by the FDA. Additionally, there is no evidence of Growth Factor content in adipose derived tissue.

While I have blogged about the superiority of Bone Marrow Concentrate over all other non-surgical approaches for arthritis, the introduction of the intraosseous adjunct, subchondroplasty, is resulting in even superior outcomes when compared to those who were treated prior to this contemporary version of Cellular Orthopedics. It has been nine months basically since I started injecting Bone Marrow Concentrate into the marrow adjacent to the joint in addition to the intraarticular approach. We already are seeing a better outcome in those who availed themselves of the Intraosseous adjunct. Up until eight weeks ago, my ability to offer contemporary and improved treatment options was limited by preexisting contractual obligations; but now unrestricted, I have expanded my scope of offerings including elevation of subchondroplasty from a clinical trial status to usual and customary adjunct standard of practice option. As well, I now offer an increased opportunity for participation in other clinical trials for the arthritic joint when a patient meets obligatory inclusion criteria determined by the trial sponsor.

If you want to postpone, perhaps avoid a major surgical replacement for an arthritic joint, call for a consultation    847 390 7666

You may visit my web site at IlCellulartherapy.com where you may watch my webinar.

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Combining Bone Marrow Concentrate into the joint with Subchondroplasty

STEM CELLS

My clinical practice mission is to use autologous concentrated marrow-derived mononuclear cells for the care and treatment of a joint afflicted by degenerative arthritis so as to assist a patient in postponing, perhaps avoiding a joint replacement. I then follow the patient using osteoarthritis outcome scores to measure pain control, activity improvement, and quality of life impact. The knee society score, an orthopedic surgeon’s vehicle, (KSS) also demonstrates a significant improvement of on the symptoms subscale and function subscale in most patients who undergo a Bone Marrow Concentrate procedure in my office. What about Stem Cells? Please note at the end of the first sentence and the beginning of the second, my emphasis on autologous concentrated marrow-derived mononuclear cells; not “Stem Cells”. That bone marrow concentrate is made up of Platelets, Growth Factors, and Mononucleated cells. It has been estimated that somewhere between .0017% and .034% of the mononucleated cells are actually adult mesenchymal stem cells. My point is that when you see the ads for stem cells on the many web sites, in the print media and now on outdoor advertising signs as the one I noticed on Clinton and Monroe in Chicago this past Monday, you may fall victim to marketing and not science. Chiropractors, non-board certified physicians, family practitioners and the entire realm of camp followers have embraced the exploding discipline of Regenerative Medicine. Patient beware as I point out in the next paragraph using a recently published study from the Mayo Clinic.

Many patients come to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion or diagnosis confirmation before treatment for a complex condition. In a new study, Mayo Clinic reports that as many as 88 percent of those patients go home with a new or refined diagnosis – changing their care plan and potentially their lives. Conversely, only 12 percent receive confirmation that the original diagnosis was complete and correct. Given what I have seen evolving in the field of Regenerative Medicine, I am not surprised. Few practices offering “Stem Cells” have any idea what is involved and what is in the bone marrow concentrate. Many mislead the public with a stem cell presentation using amniotic fluid product wherein it has repeatedly demonstrated there is an absence of stem cells in amniotic fluid once processed, frozen and fast thawed. What about adipose derived stem cells? For one, to liberate the stem cell from the adipocyte, there has to be a cycle of enzymatic degradation. The latter violates FDA requirements. What about platelets and growth factors in adipose derived materials? Given the relative absence of blood supply in fat, I have yet to find a scientific publication suggesting there are growth factors in adipose tissue.

The cover story in the April 2017 AARP.ORG/Bulletin is titled “How to Stop Fraud, The Ultimate Guide to Protect Yourself from Scammers and Crooks” While not directed to Regenerative Medicine, the warning applies. As suggested by the Mayo Clinic referenced article above, the best protection is a second opinion.

To schedule call: 312 475-1893
You may visit my web site at www.SheinkopMD.com
Or watch my webinar at www.ilcellulartherapy.com

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The tale of two people with arthritic knees

The tale of two people with arthritic knees

It came to pass over the last several weeks that I had contact with two separate patients; one in my office and one by e-mail inquiry. Both individuals had, prior to treatment, roughly the same levels of arthritic impairment. Both with grade three arthritic knees, were similar in age, weight, height and previous levels of activity. The e-mail contact presented with a history of having undergone a total knee replacement two years earlier. The outcome was a swollen, painful and stiff knee leading to a repeat surgery (revision) one year later. Because of persistent pain, swelling and stiffness, a recent knee aspiration had been completed leading to the diagnosis of an infection. The email inquirer indicated that his orthopedic surgeon and infectious disease consultant had recommended surgical removal of the prosthesis, placement of an antibiotic impregnated cement spacer for three months during which time a pic line would allow for a three-month continuum of intravenous antibiotics. There after assuming repeat cultures of the joint would be consistent with elimination of the infection as well confirmed by a normal Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, C-Reactive Protein and White Blood Cell Count, yet a fourth surgery would allow for another attempt with a Total Knee Prosthesis. All this assuming the infection had been eradicated. Space does not allow for the options if all of the above measures were to fail.

Turning our attention to the second patient who had undergone a Bone Marrow Concentrate/Stem cell intervention as contrasted to the surgical approach, he had recently returned from a second week of helicopter skiing. While it is true that he couldn’t ski eight hours a day for seven straight days, he had enjoyed a great week with friends and his daughter even if he had skied only two full days and four half days. This is his third consecutive year of helicopter skiing made possible by the Bone Marrow Concentrate/Stem Cell intervention he had undergone three and a half years ago.

Certainly, there is a time and place for a joint replacement; but the saga in my first paragraph reviews only some of the risks inherent in said surgery. On the other hand, a Cellular Orthopedic intervention in my experience carries a very minimal risk. In over seven hundred procedures in the last four and a half years, I have not found an infection. Certainly, every patient doesn’t go helicopter skiing after the procedure; our outcomes data clearly documents a return to or continuation of a very active lifestyle after a cellular procedure for an arthritic joint.

To schedule an appointment call (312) 475-1893
To visit my web site go to www.sheinkopmd.com
To watch my webinar visit www.ilcellulartherapy.com

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Combining Bone Marrow Concentrate into the joint with Subchondroplasty

An exclusive interview with Interventional Orthopedic Surgical pioneer Mitchell Sheinkop, MD, (continued)

Blog: Dr. Sheinkop , let’s pick up where we ended at the last interview. You were going to tell us about the hip labrum?

Sheinkop: Recently, there has been an increased frequency of diagnosis pertaining to an acetabular labral tear when a patient presents to a physician with groin pain. The cause may be attributed to trauma or it may be spontaneous in nature. While only an orthopedic surgeon really understands how to properly examine the hip joint, I am observing the next step in every and all patients with “hip” or “groin” pain is an MRI prescription. While a torn acetabular labrum is best diagnosed on the MRI after arthrogram, even that exercise may not result in a proper diagnosis. There are anatomic variants that are frequently mistakenly diagnosed as a tear and there are positive findings for a labral tear that when surgically addressed do not result in clinical improvement. In general, unless there are mechanical signs such as snapping, clunking or giving way, pain alone is not justification for arthroscopic hip surgery. In the presence of arthritis, arthroscopy is almost never indicated in the new world of evidence based medicine.

Blog: If I am not mistaken, the way you responded to the labral question is how you have responded in the past to a “positive” MRI of the knee and a diagnosis of a torn meniscus (cartilage).

Sheinkop: You are correct. The scientific evidence clearly identifies the fact that a pain generator must be identified before a surgical procedure. Even if the MRI is compatible with a torn labrum or meniscus, in the presence of arthritis, arthroscopic surgery will make things worse over six months. Surgery in said circumstances should be reserved for mechanical symptoms and not pain.

Blog: Then what is a patient with pain in the groin or knee to do?

Sheinkop: First and foremost, my job is to identify the cause of the pain and treat the patient, not the image. In the absence of clunking, snapping and giving way (joint instability), Interventional Orthopedics based on Platelet Rich Plasma and Bone Marrow Aspirate derived stem cells and growth factors provide the surgical alternative-remember the needle and not the knife.

Blog: I learned this week that you have been invited to St. Petersburg, Russia, this September to present non surgical alternatives for arthritis, at an international orthopedic meeting focused on joint replacement.

Sheinkop: Your information is correct. The role for Interventional and Cellular orthopedics, basically regenerative medicine, is in grades two and three osteoarthritis; while a patient is quite functional and not yet sufficiently impaired to justify the risks inherent in a joint replacement. On the other hand, there is a large patient population with advanced osteoarthritis of a major joint wherein the joint replacement option is to great a medical challenge and may risk survival. The evidence I have gathered over almost five years is not only of interest in the United States but has global potential impact.

To learn more call (312) 475-1893 to schedule a consultation
View my web site at www.sheinkopmd.com
Watch my webinar at www.ilcellulartherapy.com

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Combining Bone Marrow Concentrate into the joint with Subchondroplasty

An exclusive Interview With Interventional Orthopedic Surgeon, Mitchell Sheinkop, MD

Blog: “Please explain Interventional Orthopedics?”

Dr Sheinkop: “Five years ago, after 37 years of performing hip and knee replacements at a major medical center in Chicago, where I served as director of the Joint Replacement program, I exchanged the scalpel for a needle. Having achieved my surgical goals, I elected to help pioneer the emerging subspecialty of interventional orthopedics, introducing clinical research so that regenerative medicine in the musculoskeletal system would be evidence based. Instead of a long incision, lengthy rehabilitation, potential major complications, and potential infection, I use bone marrow and growth factor concentrate through a needle to help a patient reduce or eliminate pain from an arthritic joint, improve motion and increase functional capacity.”

Blog: “Why did you take this route?”

Dr Sheinkop: “My clinical joint replacement research initiatives, wherein every patient on whom I had operated was closely monitored and followed, made me realize that patients under 60 were too prone to early revision surgery; that is a repeat replacement in a relatively short time. I became aware of the potential of the stem cells and growth factors in bone marrow concentrate to assist a patient with grades two and three arthritis of a major joint in postponing, perhaps avoiding a major joint replacement. As well, for older patients with grade four osteoarthritis who have too many co-morbidities and aren’t safe surgical risks, Bone Marrow Concentrate is a reasonable option.

Blog: “What evidence have you accumulated?”

Dr Sheinkop: “80% of our patients are very satisfied after four years. At the knee, only 7 % have gone on to have a joint replacement. At the hip, that number is about the same. I now have about four percent of patients who have undergone or are scheduled to undergo a repeat Bone Marrow Concentrate procedure after three to four years. Equally important is the comparison of activities after a Bone Marrow/ Growth Factor intervention versus a Total Joint Replacement. I have arthritic knees, grade three. I underwent an intervention on my left side 18 months ago. Last weekend, I went fly fishing for two days in Southwest Wisconsin walking along the creeks, at times in the spring creeks. This week, I am going skiing in Vail with my family. None of this would be possible with a joint replacement.”

Blog: “This is fascinating information; so much so that I want to continue this interview into next week. I want to ask you in particular about the acetabular labrum which seems to be receiving all kinds or attention, arthroscopic knee meniscectomy in the presence of arthritis, non-surgical alternatives for a torn ACL, and subchondroplasty”

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