Nov 1, 2016
The FDA again held a meeting to address issues pertaining to Regenerative Medicine. At the conclusion of the meeting, an updated set of guidelines was developed for patient protection in the use of stem cells, growth factors, and platelet rich plasma. While still being interpreted by the Regenerative Medicine community, what becomes clear is the call for better self-regulation. It is not ethical or acceptable for anyone holding themselves out to be practicing cellular medicine to hold a seminar, recruit a patient, inject some substance into a joint and request payment. Equally important are the credentials of that practitioner.
For the past four and a half years, I have followed the outcomes of all my patients using the same subjective and objective parameters in my practice of Interventional Orthopedics that I used to follow the results during my joint replacement career. Over that 37-year span, because of my data collection initiative, many new generations of Hip and Knee Prostheses were introduced into adult reconstructive orthopedic surgery. Statistical analysis of data allows for progress in care and development of new product. Today, I still gather outcomes data for each patient. That initiative has led to refinement and advances in the emerging subspecialty of Regenerative Medicine; both in my own practice and around the globe.
Anticipating the future, I am headed off this upcoming weekend to join a small group of those looking to the future in advancing the practice of cellular medicine. Up until now, our data collection and Outcomes registry was clinical in nature; in a short time, that data will also include cellular data. This latter is the next way to refine the practice of regenerative medicine.
By having tighter control over the composition of autologous PRP and BMC preparations for use in my practice of regenerative medicine, through comprehensive analysis of autologous patient samples, I will have a chance to see what levels of important constituents like Stem Cells, Growth Factors, Platelets, RBCs, WBCs, and so on are present in the preparation.
How might I take advantage of the data? The most obvious use would be for me to record values of your sample analysis in a spreadsheet and enter in demographic and clinical outcomes data. I will continue to enter your results of outcomes assessments obtained during follow-up visits that I routinely use to monitor your recovery. By applying this strategy to all patients I treat, an internal database will inform me about optimization strategies for treating my patients, allowing me to modify and customize the make-up of that which will be injected. Why go to the trouble, you might be asking yourself? Having a detailed knowledge of what I am injecting into my patient puts me in a position to refine my practice of regenerative medicine. And that is a good thing, since you the patient ultimately will benefit from my optimizing the use of autologous materials like PRP and BMC.
To schedule your appointment call 312 475 1893
Tags: arthritis, BMC, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Concentrated Stem Cell Plasma, Growth Factors, Hip Replacement, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Knee Pain Relief, knee replacement, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Platelet Rich Plasma, platelets, PRP, regenerative medicine, stem cells, Ultrasound Guided Injection
Oct 20, 2016
Aging is known to contribute to a multitude of systemic changes including those of the musculoskeletal system leading to decreased health, mobility and function. Most changes in well-being are exacerbated by inactivity. It has been scientifically documented that physical activity and exercise may slow or even reverse these deleterious effects thereby improving health, mobility and function.
In particular, ligaments, tendons and joint capsules become stiffer with age as elastic fibers decrease and cross-links between collagen fibers increase. As connective tissue surrounding the joint changes, so too does the synovial fluid within the joint making movement more difficult. Not only do changes occur within the joint, they also occur in the muscles. The loss of muscle mass and strength also known as sarcopenia, increases with age. Then there is the fatty infiltration of muscle that comes with aging and lack of use.
Recognizing the value of Bone Marrow Concentrate derived Stem Cells, Cytokines and Growth Factors in dealing with his arthritic hip when the alternative was a joint replacement, seven months ago, a 58-year-old man underwent a cellular orthopedic intervention. Over the past many months, the patient committed himself to a minimum of 30 minutes a day, five days a week at moderate intensity aerobic exercise alternating with three days a week at vigorous intensity. In addition, he partook in resistance exercise a minimum of two days a week at a moderate high intensity focusing on 10 exercises at each session targeting most major muscle groups, with 10 to 15 repetitions for each exercise performed thus adding an additional 20 to 30 minutes to the commitment. Then there are the benefits of his additional flexibility and stretching. When this individual came to me at his first visit, his stated goals were to return to a high level of recreational enjoyment with a particular interest in ball room dancing. As of last week, he had reached those goals but he has no intention of failing to comply with his exercise prescription.
The obvious message of my Blog is to let you know I am unable to reach a desired goal without your commitment. I may introduce Stem Cells, Cytokines and Growth Factors into an arthritic joint but to reach your desired goal or delay or perhaps avoid a joint replacement, those many changes that occur with aging can be slowed and even reversed by a combination of cellular orthopedics and exercise.
If you want to learn about the evidence, schedule an appointment 312 475 1893
Tags: arthritis, athletes, Benefits and Risk, bone marrow, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Concentrated Stem Cell Plasma, Growth Factors, Hip, Hip Replacement, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Knee Pain Relief, Mature Athlete, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenerative, regenerative medicine, Regenexx, stem cells, treatment
Oct 6, 2016
“Growth factor, any of a group of proteins that stimulate the growth of specific tissues. Growth factors play an important role I promoting cellular differentiation and cell division,” and they occur in bone marrow as well as your circulating blood.
“When investigators began studying the effects of biological substances on cells and tissues in culture, they discovered a group of peptide-hormone-like substances that were distinct from any previously known hormones. Because these substances were active in stimulating the growth of cells and tissues, they were called growth factors. Some growth factors are similar to hormones in that they can be secreted into the blood stream, which carries them to their target tissues. However, whereas the production of hormones is limited to glandular tissue, growth factors can be produced by many different types of tissue” and cells for that matter.
When a patient presents for a Bone Marrow Concentrate procedure for an arthritic joint in order to prevent, perhaps even avoid a joint replacement, the understanding to date is that it will be Mesenchymal Stem Cell that will serve as the key factor in reducing pain, increasing motion, improving function and influencing the progression of arthritis. The latter is only partially true but fails to address the role Growth Factors play in Cellular Orthopedics (Regenerative Medicine). When your orthopedic surgeon tells you that Stem Cells won’t work for your arthritis, schedule your joint replacement, that physician doesn’t understand that Stem cells are only part of what Bone Marrow concentrate provides us in assisting the patient with an arthritic joint, return to an active life style without surgery.
We now have several proprietary means of not only concentrating adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells but Growth Factors as well when addressing your arthritic joint with Bone Marrow Concentrate. While stem cells may be impacted by age, Growth Factors do not seem to be adversely impacted accounting for several recent successes with patients in their 90s. Since we have been concentrating stem cells with growth factors and combining the approach to the joint with subchondroplasty, we continue to document improving outcomes
Tags: arthritic pain, arthritis, arthritis treatment, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Concentrated Stem Cell Plasma, Growth Factors, Hip Replacement, joint replacement, Mesenchymal Stem Cell, Orthopedic Surgeon, Osteoarthritis, regenerative medicine, Regenerative Pain Center, stem cell treatment
Sep 1, 2016
You may be the first to see the preview
A web-i-nar according to the dictionary, is a seminar that takes place over the internet.
Dr. Sheinkop’s Webinar on Regenerative Medicine
While not yet ready for prime time, it will go live in 45 days, but readers of this Blog may view it now by clicking the above. My purpose in creating this educational endeavor is and was to better inform the prospective patient as to the scope of my regenerative practice, to allow the new patient to become better informed, and to facilitate review of the informed consent process should you chose to avail yourself of my services. The webinar plays for about 30 minutes but you don’t have to watch it all in a single session. One of the advantages of this form of communication is watching at your own convenience plus the option to return as you chose.
In planning and editing this undertaking, I took into account that which I have experienced over a four year plus regenerative medicine practice emphasizing and repeating wherever I deemed appropriate. The majority of the patients I treat present with grades two and three osteoarthritis of one or two joints. Of over a thousand I have treated, the majority have received Bone Marrow Concentrate/Stem Cell approach. For those who present in an earlier stage of osteoarthritis no longer responding to cortisone and hyaluronic acid, I do explain the Multicenter Amniotic Fluid Concentrate Clinical Trial for which I am the Principal Investigator. By the same token, for those patients who have advanced arthritic changes, that is grade four, and who otherwise would require a total joint replacement, I cover cellular orthopedic options as well although not necessarily bone marrow derived. One major possibility in the webinar format once accessed through the internet will be the opportunity to post questions and I will do my best to respond in 24 to 48 hours. Another area of explanation is the subchondroplasty for which there continues to be increasing evidence that both intraarticular (inside the joint) and extra-articular (the bone supporting the joint) options should be employed when treating arthritis of a major joint. I want to emphasize, the main treatment on which I base my practice is Bone Marrow Concentrate containing stem cells, anti-inflammatory Cytokines and Growth Factors owing to the potential to regenerate the joint, eliminate or reduce pain and increase functional capacity while, on a molecular basis, halting, maybe reversing the arthritic process.
Tags: arthritis, athletes, Benefits and Risk, bone marrow, Clinical Studies, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Concentrated Stem Cell Plasma, Hip Replacement, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Knee, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedic Surgeon, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenerative, Regenexx-SD, stem cells, treatment
Jul 7, 2016
From the AMA News, July 1
Good Morning Dr. Mitchell Sheinkop. Here are today’s top stories.
Leading the News:
Unproven stem cell therapies available at hundreds of US clinics
In “Science Now,” the Los Angeles Times (6/30, Kaplan) reports that research indicates across the US, “at least 351 businesses at 570 locations are marketing stem cell therapies that have not been fully vetted by medical researchers or blessed by the” FDA. The findings were published by Cell Stem Cell.
On its website, NBC News (6/30, Fox) reports that the FDA “regulates some stem cell treatments and says there’s almost nothing available as a commercial product.” However, the agency “does not regulate stem cells taken from a patient and reinfused back into the patient, so long as they’re changed or manipulated.” According to NBC News, “Many of the clinics on the list offer these non-regulated types of treatments.”
In “To Your Health,” the Washington Post (6/30, McGinley) reports that this “analysis comes as the debate over regulating stem-cell clinics is intensifying.” Although “some critics say the FDA should crack down on the industry, others say they shouldn’t face new restrictions because what they are doing is part of the ‘practice of medicine.’”
Bloomberg News (6/30, Ramkumar) points out that “the FDA has issued draft guidelines for stem cell therapies and is planning a public hearing in September on regulating procedures.”
I am in 100% agreement with the AMA’s Leading News review. Yesterday, a very well known retired professional athlete sought consultation in my office concerning a regenerative intervention for his arthritic left hip. During the intake, the remote traumatic event leading to the progressive arthritic limitations could be identified. Earlier this year, we witnessed the retirement of Kobe Bryant from professional basketball and I was reminded of the stem cell procedure he underwent in Germany five years ago for a “bone on bone” arthritic knee. That interventional orthopedic procedure added five years to his career. Outcomes that we capture, as well as those of other board certified clinicians, support Bone Marrow Concentrate/Stem Cell intervention for grades two and three, sometimes grade four osteoarthritis. The 351 businesses marketing stem cell therapies for every known malady of mankind deserve an industry crack down by the FDA. I am a board certified orthopedic surgeon with outcomes and data to support my practice of improving the well being of patients afflicted by arthritis in a major joint.
Tags: arthritis, athletes, Benefits and Risk, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Studies, Concentrated Stem Cell Plasma, FDA, Hip Replacement, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Knee Pain Relief, medicine, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedics, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenerative, Regenexx, stem cells, treatment