Jun 18, 2015
That’s the headlines in several orthopedic articles recently appearing in scientific journals and that’s what is predicted for the future. I have been using that syringe in lieu of a scalpel for three years. Four years ago, it was a four-inch incision for a knee and a ten-inch incision for a hip. A revision required more than double that length with major muscle disruption of life and a marginally successful outcome.
Let’s return to the alternative for a joint replacement in an arthritic joint, Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate. This past weekend, I presented the 12 to 24 month outcomes of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate for knee arthritis in 172 patients I have treated, at the Orthopedic and Biological Institute 5th annual meeting held in Las Vegas. More than 500 physicians from around the world attended it. The paper was very well received as indicated by a continual flow of e-mail commentary, and will influence how the attendees approach osteoarthritis in their respective patient populations in the immediate future. While I educated the audience, I also learned something from several French and Spanish Orthopedists speaking at the meeting. In addition to treating the arthritic joint, three studies were delivered in which the bone immediately adjacent to the arthritic joint was injected with stem cells in addition to placing BMAC in the joint itself. Called a subchondroplasty, it adds little extra to the procedure and to date, seems to have significantly improved results. As of July 1, the modified approach will be included in my treatment protocol for the osteoarthritic knee when I deem appropriate. It takes a team and a lot of time and effort to complete these outcome studies. That’s why most clinicians don’t partake. At most, some do it by telephone or forms to be completed by the patient and mailed in. That’s not the way of a joint replacement surgeon. Our outcome scoring is objective and includes hard end points such as reproducible measurements. My having incorporated clinical research into my patient care efforts has resulted in a continual improvement with better and longer lasting outcomes in my management alternatives for arthritis. I have the data to prove it.
Tags: arthritis, athletes, Benefits and Risk, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, FDA, Hip Replacement, Interventional Orthopedics, Knee, Knee Pain Relief, medicine, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenerative, Regenexx, Regenexx-SD, stem cells, treatment, Ultrasound Guided Injection
Jun 4, 2015
Education seems to be on the mind of a growing list of presidential hopefuls so I decided to focus on the continuing educational theme. Today, you can complete a college degree and even grad school on line; this week. I am offering a tuition free short course in cellular orthopedics.
To protect the viability of stem cells and maximize their ability to restore well being to an arthritic joint, clinical studies over the last decade have clearly shown that direct injection is the preferred method to transplant cells. Those same clinical studies have documented that these stem and progenitor cells contained in bone marrow have immense potential to improve tissue and organ function. The key is to keep them viable after harvesting as laboratories and my studies have correlated symptomatic relief with higher cell counts and higher viability. Regenexx has contributed to what it takes to maximize stem cell viability; namely, avoidance of smoking, certain categories of pharmaceuticals such as statins, minimal alcohol consumption, and exercise with healthy eating. To summarize, stem cells cannot be transported from state to state, city to city, or even from facility to facility. Now you understand the Regenexx directive regarding what to do and what to consume prior to and for six weeks following a Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate intervention. See the Regenexx Web Site for more information at: www.Regenexx.com
As I have written in my blog many times, top researchers are increasingly concluding that “stem cells” are not the main event but rather part of a multi-dimensional therapeutic solution. Osteoarthritis is caused by any number of triggers including trauma, disease, aging cartilage programmed to die (apoptosis), mechanical forces and congenital predilection to name a few. Your joints’ enemies are called metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanases which don’t only just degrade the cartilage; they also contribute to a toxic joint environment. Stem cells have been shown not only to restore damaged cartilage, but to inhibit inflammation; they are one component though of a more complex treatment approach with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate. To summarize, while adipose tissue may contain stem cells (Stromal Vascular Fractions), fat doesn’t come close to comparing with the the Growth factors and Cytokines to neutralize the MMPs and the aggrecanases when compared to Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate.
The major scientific work we depend on for basic science guidance comes from Mark F. Pittenger, Ph.D. Simply put, Dr. Pittenger said that Mesenchymal Stem Cells reduce inflammation and lay the foundation for tissue regeneration and repair. Since his landmark publication, we have learned that there is more in the Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate than mesenchymal stem cells that may alter the bio-immune response of arthritis. To summarize, there is science and there are false claims by charlatans and those with proprietary interests and hidden agendas. We need to do more scientific studies and that’s why I have integrated patient care with clinical research; a cellular orthopedic practice based on Outcomes and not undocumented claims.
Tags: arthritis, athletes, bone marrow, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Mature Athlete, medicine, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenerative, Regenexx, stem cells, treatment
May 21, 2015
Headline on page 14 of the Wednesday, May 20, 2015 edition of the Chicago Tribune. The Associated Press journalist, Matthew Perrone then goes on, “But critics point to dangers of a largely unregulated trade.” This is a well written article in which Perrone highlights the charlatans doing the wrong thing, breaking the law, and doing harm. He did his home- work and focuses on the quackery, false claims and almost wholly unregulated mushrooming adipose derived business not unlike what Pope Brock did in his 2008 novel, Charlatan. Perrone brings into focus the quacks that prey on desperate patients seeking miracles in treating progressive neurologic disorders and the like. As my good friend opined after having read the article, “when ever a new avenue opens, the easy money guys stream in.”Incidentally, the exposure of those who state” if I am breaking the law, how come I haven’t been arrested yet?” isn’t new; 60 Minutes exposed those who seek to enrich themselves no matter the price to society several years ago. Last night, at the Goodman Theater, my wife and I saw Lillian Hellman’s The Little Foxes; very timely. The play takes place circa 1900, in a small Alabama town where the accumulation of wealth by the Hubbard family takes precedence over family, loyalty, decency, honor and morality. Toward the end of the play, the crowning statement in my mind was something to the effect that there are many Hubbard families out there in the mainstream America.
This lack of professional integrity and opportunism is engrained in our society so how do you protect yourself as a patient, be it Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate to postpone or avoid a joint replacement or any other area of medical care? The list of reasons to seek out Cellular Orthopedics and Regenerative Medicine is really the lengthy list of contraindications to surgery because of co-morbidities that preclude a total joint replacement surgical procedure. In addition, there are those patients who want to maintain or return to the highest level of recreational endeavor. The answer is quality assurance by your Regenerative Medical specialist assuring you the recommendations and the intervention are evidence based. That evidence comes from ongoing clinical research integrated with clinical care, not just completing a procedure and handing out a bill. You will find that level of evidence based care within the Regenexx Network of physicians located now thoughout the United States. These are not doctors who took a weekend seminar offered by a training company. At Regenexx, we do not treat anything outside the realm of orthopedic diseases. I partake in many week-long courses over the calendar year in which I not only learn but present my data collected on an ongoing basis. Next month, I am off to present my data at TOBI; a four day international program limited to arthritis and sports related injuries. That’s what I do and that’s your assurance that what I do is based on clinical outcomes research and is evidence based.
Tags: arthritis, athletes, bone marrow, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Concentrated Stem Cell Plasma, FDA, Hip Replacement, Interventional Orthopedics, Knee, Mature Athlete, medicine, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenexx, Regenexx-SD, stem cells, treatment
May 14, 2015
That’s the name of the lead article in the Wednesday, May 13 edition of the Health and Family Section in the Chicago Tribune. “The brain loves it when we move and will reward us handsomely if we do, researchers say.” That’s what Julie Deardorff has to say in the article. “Work out for the brain”, not just the body. “Physical activity is crucial to mind and body alike.”
I think you understand the point so let’s look at which arthritic complaint is your problem and how stem cells may help. It is too early in the scientific process to suggest clinically, that Regenerative Medicine can reverse changes in the brain though the scientific evidence supports exercise as having such impact. By the same token, it is not too early to state that Cellular Orthopedics can reverse and benefit your knee and hip. This morning, I am finalizing the talk I will be delivering next month, at The Orthopedic and Biologic Institute International Regenerative Medicine scientific meeting to be held in Las Vegas. My data clearly supports the statement that Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate will diminish pain and increase activity in those with arthritis of the major weight bearing joints. We have 187 patients in the data base on whom I have gathered evidence over a 24 month period. All were patients who presented for orthopedic cellular intervention of an arthritic knee. While space does not allow for a complete presentation of the outcomes, the studies clearly document, less pain, better motion, increased functional capacity, and a better state of emotional and physical well-being when compared to pretreatment baselines. The return to high impact recreational activity was statistically significant in the study group of 187 patients.
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate does contain mesenchymal stem cells but there is more to the success story. More recently almost on a monthly basis, molecules and proteins are being identified in the bone marrow in addition to the stem cells that all act together to diminish pain, increase motion, eliminate inflammation , and perhaps even regenerate cartilage. There is even a possibility of reversing or diminishing the bio-immune response of osteoarthritis. At this time, I am unable to document how long these benefits will be realized; my studies will continue as I integrate patient care with research. The latter allows me to determine what number of nucleated cells at the time of the bone marrow aspiration predicts the best chance of a successful outcome. I now have statistically significant evidence that age and BMI do not adversely influence the outcome of a Cellular Orthopedic procedure. By the same token, I can predict success based on the physical examination and history prior to an intervention and advise a patient as to the chance of success based on the combination of the pretreatment consultation and imaging. If you want to learn your chances of postponing or avoiding a joint replacement for arthritis using now scientifically documented results, call for a consultation:
847 390 7666
Tags: arthritis, athletes, Benefits and Risk, bone marrow, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Hip Replacement, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Knee, Knee Pain Relief, Mature Athlete, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedics, Pain Management, Regenerative, Regenexx, stem cells, treatment
Apr 20, 2015
We are dealing in a field of science that aims to restore or establish normal functional capacity and eliminate, certainly reduce pain from arthritic inflammation by replacing or influencing human cells. Advances in cell biology have led to new options for cellular therapies and new strategies to stimulate endogenous repair and regeneration. Stem Cell populations have been identified in perinatal and adult tissues including amniotic fluid, placenta, bone marrow, and blood vessels. The US Department of Health and Human Services, in its report “2020: A New Vision-A Future for Regenerative Medicine” published in 2006, calls regenerative medicine “the next evolution of medical treatments” and predicts that regenerative medicine will be the “vanguard of 21st century healthcare.”
So what about costs and reimbursements? Government has made it clear that there is a relative lack of clinical science in this area and it will not pay at this time. We at Regenexx are making progress in gathering data and educating our patients and the medical profession as how to postpone or perhaps eliminate the need for a joint replacement when the symptoms and functional limitations of arthritis affect an individual. We believe that our data documents that Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate does reverse the course of osteoarthritis, relieve symptoms, restore function and allow the patient an improved recreational and athletic capacity. As an orthopedic surgeon dealing with a mixed patient population, I strive to deliver what matters most and that which will make the most profound difference in a patient’s life. First and foremost is the history and physical examination in the office. I won’t treat an image. For instance, a study presented at the recent Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons found a high incidence of Superior Labral Tears diagnosed by MRI in patients without shoulder symptoms or functional shoulder limitation. While the image was abnormal, the patient wasn’t limited in any functional way nor did they have a shoulder related complaint.
This morning, I am working on the scientific paper, I will be delivering at the June Meeting of the Ortho and Biologic Institute which is attended by the majority of scientists and clinicians involved in skeletal muscular Regenerative Medicine. It will scientifically and statistically document our successes; at Regenexx, we integrate clinical care with research and education. It is evidence based medicine helping to mold the future of Regenerative Medicine.
Tags: arthritis, athletes, bone marrow, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, FDA, Hip Replacement, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Knee, Mature Athlete, medicine, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedics, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenerative, shoulder, stem cells, treatment
