As we continue to monitor outcomes from the thousands of patients treated in our offices over the last ten years, the evidence we gather tells us that outcomes improve with repeated biologic injections. We also note that outcome improvement varies, so some patients reach maximal medical improvement in weeks while others may take months following an application. Those repeat injections may be indicated years after the initial procedure using the same biologic or within weeks of injection using a “booster”. Indications will vary for a second cellular orthopedic intervention, and that is why the office schedules patients for ongoing follow-up visits.
The specialty of Regenerative Medicine continues to advance, in part owing to the evidence we document during patient follow-up. Recognizing our approach is not “one and done”; within the last several weeks, two regenerative pharmaceutical companies have asked us to study a recently introduced product. My first response is always to determine safety, efficacy, and FDA compliance. What I found interesting is that both products would be based on a series of three injections at 30-day intervals. I am doing my due diligence before determining if new is better.
A biologic intervention may not always immediately result in a maximum benefit; as such, when judging your outcome, take into account not only the remaining symptoms you may experience but also changes in your activities that have been made possible. As an example, the patient who underwent a concentrated Growth Factor, bilateral, knee intervention eight weeks earlier and complained that he was still symptomatic, updated me last week about his torn quadriceps muscle necessitating surgical repair owing to a fall while mountain climbing; an activity he had been unable to undertake for over five years owing to arthritic knees.
Please understand that our approach is unique with respect to wear and tear osteoarthritis, post-traumatic, joint structural defects. The Evidence-Based Practice of Cellular Orthopedics is dynamic; an ever-evolving algorithm of biologic care. It may require several repeat injections or a combination of injections containing cellular and biologic concentrate, into both the affected joint and the bone supporting the joint. If you want to keep going and learn more, schedule a consultation by calling (312) 475-1893. You may visit my website at www.sheinkopmd.com.