In case you missed it, The Good Morning America Reporters Notebook by Ron Claiborne Oct. 24, 2011 started out “How to Best Manage Your Back Pain.” You may see the entire program at
Basically, it is a program devoted to introduce the notion of using Platelet Rich Plasma in lieu of steroids for an epidural as has become popular in Europe. The claim is that while an epidural steroid injection may benefit a patient for weeks or months, a PRP epidural will have benefit for years. Golf legend, Fred Couples who won the prestigious PGA Senior Players Championship August 28, despite being sidelined on-and –off the past five years revealed that the secret to his success was a trip to Germany for Regenokine treatment, the injection of autologous platelet rich plasma into the epidural space. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not given approval for the treatment to make the claim of effectiveness for osteoarthritis or back pain. The usual and customary cliché holds, “more studies are needed”. Yet there is growing evidence to support the usage of PRP and Bone Marrow Concentrate in pain management. For one, it is a usual and customary practice in Europe and the regulatory bodies in the European Union are not that dissimilar for those in the United States. As I have written about over the past several months in this blog, I soon hope to identify the orthopedic corporate sponsors that will enable me to introduce the IRB regulated clinical studies based on autologous Platelet Rich Plasma and Bone Marrow Concentrate in my clinical practice. In spite of the apparent restrictions from governmental scrutiny, I am amazed by the speed with which the entire American Orthopedic Corporate community is embracing the science and actual clinical offerings to enable PRP and Bone Marrow Concentrate introduction in orthopedic practice. My professional meetings continue to identify the best opportunities, as does my gathering of information concerning the risks and benefits of orthobiologic potentials. I think I will be there by the end of the year.
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
312-475-1893
1565 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610