As what has become usual and customary, this morning, in the Monday newspaper were the ads for stem cell therapy, stem cell recruitment, and pain relief instead of knee replacement; all allegedly covered by Medicare and insurance. If you repeat a lie enough times, it starts to be believed. Thanks to investigative reporter Pam Zekman, gone from the newspaper, at least for the time being, are the Stem Cell Institutes of America ads inviting readers to a seminar. For a free lunch without an examination or review of images, the attendee would be recruited for a procedure using amniotic fluid containing dead cells at prices approaching $8,000 per joint.
There is no science to support stem cell recruitment by any injectable available in the marketplace today. A year ago, a placental derived material was marketed to recruit your stem cells but subsequent outcomes studies resulted in the discontinuation of payment by third parties. Patients were and still are recruited by this fake news; there are still advertising schemes claiming stem cell recruitment. Reader, there is no such thing as purchasing stem cells from a provider. Living stem cells may be provided through autologous bone marrow concentrate, the latter containing stem cells, platelets, proteins, precursor cells, and growth factors. I have no issue with pain relief claims in the newspaper ads but the materials used by those institutes are hyaluronic acid based, do not contain living stem cells, and are available through any medical office. In other words, the hyaluronic acid gels are not regenerative; but the injection may diminish symptoms for several months.
The real question becomes what effective treatment will relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis, improve function, allow you to reach your sought-after recreational goals with an outcome lasting years, not months? To answer the question, I was asked to participate as part of the Regenerative Medicine Training Institute Faculty this past weekend in Jupiter, Florida. My presentation focused on the indications and evidence-based outcomes for using Compounded Platelet Rich Plasma and Filtered Growth Factors; Bone Marrow Concentrate and Micro fractured Fat Graft. The outcomes evidence reinforces what I preach and how I practice. To learn more, visit my web site at www.sheinkopmd.com. To schedule an appointment and consultation call (312) 475-1893