Patient Success | OrthoBiologics
“So yesterday when Dr. S was in the room and did a kind of magic spell thing about everything working out, I had to report this. First of all, my shoulders are feeling pretty good, but you know I was pretty unhappy that after a month my knee actually felt worse. You can tell him he needs to do that magic fairy dust thing more often. My knee has done a 180. I swear it is almost pain-free. How does that happen overnight? Let’s hope it only gets better but thought he would appreciate hearing that the knee has really taken a turn for the good.” ( – Received via email on April 7 )
If you read my Blogs regularly, you would recall that I continually remind the reader to be a patient patient. Regenerative Medicine takes time to produce the sought-after outcome. It may be days, weeks, months, or even years as I am reminded by returning patients. At times, the treatment algorithm may include repetition or “boosters” In the above scenario, the first injection was Hyaluronic Acid into the knee (the “cushion” frequently advertised in the media). While the Gel may have a short-term benefit, it has no regenerative or anti-inflammatory attributes. The second injection into the knee received by the author of the above anecdote was a regenerative and active orthobiologic created by filtering the patient’s own blood allowing for recovery of Platelets; concentrated proteins termed Growth Factors (A2M, IRAP); and Extra Cellular Vesicles. If these terms are unfamiliar, a quick review of my archived Blogs will provide an explanation and understanding. As far as the shoulders are concerned in this setting, the diagnosis is the common problem resulting from use and abuse; a combination of osteoarthritis and rotator cuff attrition or rupture.
When the short-term benefit of the initial shoulder injection into the shoulders is no longer realized, the next step will be an orthobiologic addressing the structural defects visualized on X-ray and MRI, in combination with concentrated Extracellular Vesicles, Stem Cells, Platelet Rich Plasma, and Growth Factors recovered from the patient’s own blood.
Grandparenting with Arthritic Joints
Now for the next personal challenge to grandparenting with arthritic joints galore. In my last Blog, I described our trip to Indian Wells, California, to watch a grandson partake in a 12-year-old invitational tennis tournament. The temperature of 85 degrees took its toll on those participants from the Midwest who had not yet acclimated after the indoor season. This past Saturday, my wife and I traveled to Algonquin, Illinois to watch the tennis player’s twin brother partake in a 12 juniors golf tournament over the two-day weekend. The temperature on Saturday was 41 degrees and a Northeast wind was blowing. When I got out of the golf cart after three and a half hours of sitting and watching, (a mistake… I should have walked) it was difficult to stand up, walk and navigate. The good news is that after having thawed out overnight, on Sunday, I was able to resume my full fitness protocol. Without the benefits of orthobiologic treatment I had previously received for my hip and knee, a wheelchair probably would have been my means of mobility after observing that game of golf, Saturday.
Yes, we use cryopreservation for biologics; but if you are not ready to be cryopreserved because of arthritis, call my office (312) 475-1893 to schedule an appointment. You may visit my website at www.sheinkopmd.com. Keep track of the anticipated approval of the adipose-derived stem cell trial at www.personalizedstemcells.com