Apr 25, 2012
Musculoskeletal Care of the Mature Patient
The number one reason in the United States for a trip to a physician has to do with pain arising in the musculoskeletal system, especially in the Boomers and maturing athletes. Might regenerative medicine and stem cells provide an extended warranty for your frame? That was my basic question when I attended the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons continued medical education course last weekend “Advances in Care of the Aging Athlete”. What was generally reinforced is that the number one way to stay healthy and young is through fitness and sports; stay active on an aging frame. In other words put old on hold. Certainly proper nutrition is a key component as is Resveratrol and maybe testosterone supplementation for Manopause. Woman beware, hormone replacement therapy is generally not good for your health.
In the end though, the real problem is cartilage deterioration with age be it from genetics, congenital, developmental insult or trauma. The recent media attention to stem cells has introduced a clinical possibility of changing the natural history of progression of degenerative arthritis and perhaps even reversing the programmed death of cells. Peyton Manning went to Europe for stem cells in the neck, Governor Perry chose Asia for his back and Terrell Owens returned to football after stem cell intervention in Korea. You all probably are aware of the Fred Couples, Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez having returned to top performance with the assistance of regenerative medicine. By harvesting Mesenchymal Stem cells form you bone marrow and concentrating them, the injectate is the best of all potential immune modulators with the greatest possible ant-inflammatory effect. There are a large number of animal studies confirming the efficacy of stem cell management of cartilage; such clinical treatment is now the standard of care in the veterinarian world, particularly with the injured or arthritic hoarse. As well, there is an emerging body of science to support adult mesenchymal derived stem cell management of the aging human joint appearing in peer reviewed medical journals. The International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases to illustrate, recently published an article concerning four patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee who experienced marked improvement with mesenchymal stem cell therapy. The problem is that for the most part, human clinical trials are taking place outside the United States. Enter Regenexx and its IRB clinical trial. That’s why I joined the Regenexx Network. To learn more, schedule an appointment.
Tags: arthritis, bone marrow, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Osteoarthritis, PRP, Regenerative Pain Center, stem cells, treatment
Apr 19, 2012
The Regenerative Pain Center is about to begin as well. I completed my training at Regenexx on Thursday and started enrolling patients on Friday. I chose to affiliate with Regenexx because theirs is the longest and largest outcomes database pertaining to the clinical use of stem cells in the care and treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal injury. Certainly, there remains a major role for orthopedic surgery in the management of arthritis and joint injury but now the patient has an option. Given the fact that 15 to 20% of joint replacement recipients have complication or unsatisfactory outcomes or are never able to resume the type of activity previously enjoyed, it makes all the sense in the world to exhaust the regenerative care option before a joint replacement. While I was writing this Blog, my landlord dropped by to tell me the saga of his son-in-law’s father. The latter, a surgeon himself, still is experiencing pain and repeated hemorrhage into his knee eight months after a knee replacement. The ongoing problem is contributing, in part, to his decision to retire. Might he have avoided a knee replacement if he had tried the regenerative medicine route?
The world of stem cell management is a commitment for me because I believe in the process. It is also dynamic, as another means of approach has been introduced for stem cell harvesting that is very promising and less complicated than bone marrow harvesting. Blood born stem cells may now be captured by concentrating platelet rich plasma. Until now, PRP, while having some stem cell component, was really an anti-inflammatory approach because of a wealth of growth factors. With the recent introduction of a major advance in platelet concentration methodology by Regenexx, ultra concentrated PRP, introduces a potential sufficient quantity of stem cells to begin to mirror the possibilities of bone marrow derived stem cells.
To complete my preparation and credentialing for the transition from a reconstructive joint replacement surgeon to a regenerative medicine restoration physician, I am off to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons course “Advances in Care of the Aging Athlete” on Thursday. In addition to stem cells, the subject matter includes Nutrition and Supplementation: Optimization with Aging; Anti-Aging and Performance Drugs; Cartilage Restoration; Knee Rehabilitation in the Arthritic Knee: How Much Can We Push?; The Basic Science of Aging: Implications for the Male and Female Master Athlete; Injectable Adjunctive Therapies: Solid Treatment or Snake Oil: Performance Optimization in the Masters’ Athlete; and more. I won’t live forever; but while I am still here, my ethos is “Just Do It”. To learn more, call and schedule an appointment.
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
312-475-1893 or 312-475-1893
1565 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois 60610
Tags: Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Regenerative Pain Center, Regenexx, stem cells
Apr 3, 2012
Musculoskeletal Care of the Mature Patient
I feel the pain. This weekend was spent with my wife chasing trout in the Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin and I am hurting. Walking down a creek for miles is an adventure that is unlike no other. I have no idea what this has to do with stem cells so let’s get back to the week to be, actually the month ahead.
Passover begins in the evening of Friday, April 6 and ends in the evening of Saturday, April 14
Easter is Sunday, April 8
Regenexx visit is Monday, April 9 to Wednesday, April 11
Biovision needlescope introductory to regenerative medicine, April 12
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery course “Advances in Care of the Aging Athelete” April 20 to April 22
I am undertaking an entire new direction as an orthopedic surgeon who performed and pioneered joint replacements for over 38 years. All I had to do was read the newspaper and listen to the media reports on orthopedic implant recalls to remind myself that someone from the orthopedic surgical community has to look ahead to alternative options for pain solutions. The AAOS course will address issues from stem cell and adjunctive therapies, nutrition, performance enhancing drugs, cutting edge regenerative and restorative treatments, and the application of other anti-aging substances and supplements for the shoulder, hip and knee-all with the goal of keeping patients well and at the top of their game. If you are severely impaired, then you still may need a joint replacement; but if you are still functional, there are viable alternatives to surgery. For the female athlete, I am developing an expanded approach to treatment and maintaining the opportunity to participate. My focus is personal and is somewhat brought about by my own interests, anti-aging and managing the aging process. Normal physiologic effects of aging affect participation in sports; reader, you are left to define the word sports. There is not necessarily a predictable positive impact of a joint replacement on function even if the implant is not recalled. If you want to analyze how cartilage regenerative techniques may apply to you in the new world of regenerative stem cell based medicine, call for an appointment. I will work with you to determine appropriate non-operative and minimally invasive stem cell treatment plans for mature adult “athletes” with traumatic, degenerative and arthritic conditions particularly related to the knee, hip and shoulder.
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
312-475-1893 or 312-475-1893
1564 N. La Salle St
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Tags: arthritis, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, medicine, Osteoarthritis, Regenexx, stem cells, treatment
Mar 27, 2012
British Hip Society recommends against use of stemmed, large diameter, metal-on-metal implants in primary total hip replacements.
Based on discussions held at its annual meeting, the British Hip Society (BHS) has issued a statement on the use of large diameter metal-on-metal bearing total hip replacements. BHS advises that stemmed, large diameter metal-on-metal primary total hip replacements using bearings of 36 mm or greater should no longer be performed until more evidence is available, except in properly conducted and ethically approved research studies. The advice does not apply to hip resurfacing. In addition, BHS endorsed guidance recently issued by the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), calling for annual monitoring for the life of the implant, as a precautionary measure.
Other News
FDA committee to discuss reports of joint destruction associated with anti-NGF drugs.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to hold a meeting next week to discuss the anti-nerve growth factor (Anti-NGF) drug class that is currently under development, along with safety issues possibly related to the drugs. Anti-NGF drugs are being developed for the treatment of chronic painful conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic lower back pain, cancer pain, and other conditions. An advisory committee will be asked to determine whether reports of joint destruction represent a safety signal related to the anti-NGF class of drugs, and whether the risk-benefit balance for these drugs favors their continued development as analgesics.
Sheinkop meets with Regenexx in Colorado to evaluate new office based needle arthroscopic system
While it is true that I was skiing last week in Vail, while I vacationed, I still worked on assuming a leadership position in the new world of regenerative medicine. What I as an individual am able to contribute is my background and experience in research and clinical practice of treating arthritis with joint replacement surgery. Now I am dedicating myself as an orthopedic surgeon to avoiding or postponing joint replacement. When arthritis is debilitating and the X-ray is that of bone on bone, there is still an indication for a new hip or a new knee. But patient beware, there are restrictions inherent in a new joint. My life-long biking, skiing and fly fishing buddy, has relatively severe arthritis of his left knee. Yet he still can bike faster and ski better than me-I out fish him-because he has taken my counsel and postponed, maybe avoid a knee replacement via Regenerative Medicine.
To learn if you are a candidate for regenerative medicine, feel free to call
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
312-475-1893 or 312-475-1893
1565 N. LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60610
Tags: bone marrow, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, FDA, Osteoarthritis, Pilot Study, Regenerative, Regenerative Pain Center, Regenexx, stem cells
Mar 15, 2012
In the beginning, there was an umbilical cord. The blood in that cord was and is an invaluable source of stem cells that is unique to your body and family. These cells may be used to treat nearly 80 serious medical conditions at last count including leukemia, other cancers, and blood disorders. Cord blood stem cells are showing significant potential to treat conditions that have no cure today as juvenile diabetes and brain injury. Saving your baby’s or your grandchild’s cord blood secures the best treatment option for a healthy future.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “This revolutionary technology (regenerative medicine) has the potential to develop therapies for previously untreatable conditions. Examples of diseases regenerative medicine can cure include diabetes, heart disease, renal failure, osteoporosis, and spinal cord injuries. I am now ready to announce my personal entry into the new world of regenerative medicine in conjunction with the Regenerative pain Center by having joined the Regenexx network of physicians. I will start screening patients for bone marrow concentrate pilot study as of March 25th. The actual clinical process will be introduced at the beginning of May at the Regenerative Pain Center. There is as yet no assurance that bone marrow concentrate rich with autologous mesenchymal adult stem cells administered in to an arthritic joint will reverse arthritis or even stop progression but with the anecdotal observations around the country, I believe that as an orthopedic surgeon, I might or could be able to delay or avoid a joint replacement. Our pilot study will be the first step. In order to qualify, a patient will need to meet certain criteria determined by history, physical examination, X-ray and MRI. At times, a diagnostic out patient arthroscopic examination or prior treatment may be part of the program. For those who don’t qualify for the study, the patient may still seek treatment with a self-pay alternative.
Transplant medicine uses stem cells to help treat serious diseases, such as cancers and blood disorders. Regenerative medicine is a new and rapidly advancing area of medicine focusing on developing treatments using stem cells to repair damaged tissues and organs. The estimates to date that someone in your family will use stem cells in a lifetime include:
Transplant Medicine: 1 in 217
Regenerative Medicine: 1 in 3
I am thrilled to announce my entry in to the emerging stem cell application regenerative process. To learn more or see if you qualify, call the number listed below.
Mitchell B. Sheinkop, M.D.
312-475-1893
1565 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, Illinois, 60610
Tags: arthritis, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Cord blood, medicine, Osteoarthritis, Regenerative Pain Center, stem cells, treatment
