Aug 4, 2017
Most readers know that I “graduated” from joint replacement surgery into an emerging field of Regenerative Medicine about five years ago. Prior to that time, I had dedicated 37 years to Reconstructive Orthopedic Surgery and played an active role in a joint replacement practice combining research with education as I improved the quality of life for my patients. By the end of my surgical career, I had authored more than 90 scientific papers in the field of hip and knee replacement as well serving in the leadership of the joint replacement program at a major medical center in Chicago.
That was “back in the day” of joint replacement surgery; but rather than live in the past, I have elected to partake in the present and advance Cellular Orthopedics into the future. I now have the largest and most comprehensive clinical outcomes data base in the United States concerning Bone Marrow Concentrate, Mechanical preparation of Adipose Graft, and Amniotic Fluid injection used in the treatment of knee arthritis. This information has allowed me, up until now, to make a scientifically based recommendation as to the best regenerative option for dealing with an arthritic joint.
In my initiative to advance the discipline of Cellular Orthopedics, the next innovation will be to offer a prior analysis of the stem cell content for the patient seeking the regenerative option as a means of postponing or avoiding a joint replacement. Should a patient present with osteoarthritis seeking to determine if she, he or hir will benefit from Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Growth Factors, I am able to offer the equivalent of a bone marrow biopsy and determine the amount of viable cellular orthopedic content available in that individual’s bone marrow. My recommendations then would be based on actual number of cells and not on age related or disease influenced averages or estimates. Predictability of an individual’s outcome in determining whether to proceed with the regenerative intervention would be customized and not generalized. Where this scientific leap forward would be of particular interest includes patients over age 70, those who have received immune altering systemic management for a co-morbidity or for patients whose medication requirements up until now would have eliminated them from a regenerative consideration.
To learn more schedule an appointment 847 390 7666
You may access my web site and watch my Webinar at www.Ilcellulartherapy.com
Tags: arthritis, Bone Marrow Concentrate, cellular orthopedics, Orthopedic Surgeon, Osteoarthritis, regenerative medicine, stem cell treatment
Jul 13, 2017
Last week, we traveled to Israel to celebrate the wedding of our youngest son. Israel became the destination for the event as Eric and Judith had met there while his music business was subcontracting to Coke and Judith led the International Marketing initiatives for Coke. The event took place on July 5th, at an organic farm in the outskirts of Jerusalem. In such a majestic and historical setting prior to and after the ceremony, there took place several organized tours including one of Jerusalem, another at the Dead Sea and for several, a trip to Petra. It was a relatively small group of the attendees; one in particular, a very close and long-time friend has been the subject of my Blog in years past as I described his return to skiing, biking and fly fishing following a Bone Marrow Concentrate/Growth Factor Concentrate/Stem Cell concentrate intervention. Prior to those procedures, he had been forced to give up his athletic passions for several years because of the limitations imposed by arthritis of both knees.
Above is his activity score from Monday, July 3, when Bob and his wife toured Jerusalem’s Old City including a hike on the ramparts of the wall surrounding the Christian Quarter, the stop and prayer at the Temple Mount and a shopping spree at the Arab Suk (bazaar).
What Bob represents is the potential for continued improvement over several years following a regenerative intervention, a process of which I am continually reminded as time passes and I have a longer follow up of my patients. Our mission and ethos is to help patients with arthritic joints enjoy an active life style and postpone, perhaps avoid joint replacements when arthritic impairment ensues. The documentation from the patient above is one of improving outcome as time passes. While his is an anecdote, our data base increasingly reflects similar happenings for the majority of our patients.
There are now many providers for those with arthritic impairment seeking improved function and less symptoms; and who are not candidates for a joint replacement or who do not want to undergo the major surgical undertaking. In your choice of an Interventional Cellular specialist, inquire about her or his long-term outcomes; not just “will I get a free lunch if I attend a seminar?”
To learn more, call for a consultation 847 390 7666
You may watch my webinar and learn more by visiting my website at Ilcellulartherapy.com
Tags: arthritis, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Knee Pain Relief, Orthopedic Surgeon, Regenerative, stem cells
Jun 12, 2017
The lack of scientific foundation in stem cell marketing is all around us and negatively impacting those doing the right thing in the evolving discipline of Regenerative Medicine. Yesterday afternoon, a patient for whom I successfully completed a Bone Marrow Concentrate/Stem cell procedure presented to the office for a follow-up visit. She was accompanied by her husband who was experiencing progressive limitation attributable to an arthritic left knee. Because of my patient’s successful experience, her husband had determined now it was his turn. After the intake, I provided the customary explanation of what was to take place. During the question and answer follow-up, both husband, the new patient, and wife, the successful outcome, wanted to know why hers had worked whereas several of their friends had not enjoyed successful outcomes after amniotic fluid interventions.
The explanation is straightforward and based on a precedent, the fact speaks for itself. While Bone Marrow is full of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Growth Factors when harvested, processed, concentrated and reinjected into the symptomatic joint within 60 to 90 minutes after the harvesting; Amniotic Fluid has no living stem cells after sterilizing, freezing and fast thawing. Restated, Amniotic Fluid has little if any regenerative potential. Why am I able to make said statements in the face of such aggressive marketing claims regarding amniotic fluid? In addition to my work clinically and scientifically with Bone Marrow Derived stem cells and growth factors, I am the Principal Investigator in a clinical trial wherein amniotic fluid both frozen and fast thawed, and most recently, Lyophilized, has been used in lieu of hyaluronic acid to reduce or possible relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis for six to 12 months. At no time did the largest amniotic product based pharmaceutical company in the United States suggest there are viable stem cells in amniotic fluid nor did they make any claim for regenerative potential. Returning to my office encounter, during our continued discussion, I learned that those who had opted for the amniotic fluid injection had paid more for the injections than I charge for the Bone Marrow intervention. So, think about the harm done to the “victims” as well as the public in general. The trusting patients paid for a regenerative procedure that they never received. The patients believing that the stem cell procedure didn’t work are now considering total joint replacements.
How might you protect yourself if you are considering a means by which you might postpone or avoid a joint replacement for arthritis? Make sure you choose a residency and fellowship trained interventional specialist. Second, ask the clinician to share his or her scientific outcomes data.
If you want to become better informed, browse my website www.sheinkopmd.com.
You may watch my webinar at www.ilcellulartherapy.com or call to schedule a consultation (312) 475-1893.
Tags: ACL Injury, arthritis, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Hip, Interventional Orthopedics, joint replacement, Knee Pain Relief, Mesenchymal Stem Cell, Orthopedic Surgeon, regenerative medicine, stem cell treatment
Apr 20, 2017
My clinical practice mission is to use autologous concentrated marrow-derived mononuclear cells for the care and treatment of a joint afflicted by degenerative arthritis so as to assist a patient in postponing, perhaps avoiding a joint replacement. I then follow the patient using osteoarthritis outcome scores to measure pain control, activity improvement, and quality of life impact. The knee society score, an orthopedic surgeon’s vehicle, (KSS) also demonstrates a significant improvement of on the symptoms subscale and function subscale in most patients who undergo a Bone Marrow Concentrate procedure in my office. What about Stem Cells? Please note at the end of the first sentence and the beginning of the second, my emphasis on autologous concentrated marrow-derived mononuclear cells; not “Stem Cells”. That bone marrow concentrate is made up of Platelets, Growth Factors, and Mononucleated cells. It has been estimated that somewhere between .0017% and .034% of the mononucleated cells are actually adult mesenchymal stem cells. My point is that when you see the ads for stem cells on the many web sites, in the print media and now on outdoor advertising signs as the one I noticed on Clinton and Monroe in Chicago this past Monday, you may fall victim to marketing and not science. Chiropractors, non-board certified physicians, family practitioners and the entire realm of camp followers have embraced the exploding discipline of Regenerative Medicine. Patient beware as I point out in the next paragraph using a recently published study from the Mayo Clinic.
Many patients come to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion or diagnosis confirmation before treatment for a complex condition. In a new study, Mayo Clinic reports that as many as 88 percent of those patients go home with a new or refined diagnosis – changing their care plan and potentially their lives. Conversely, only 12 percent receive confirmation that the original diagnosis was complete and correct. Given what I have seen evolving in the field of Regenerative Medicine, I am not surprised. Few practices offering “Stem Cells” have any idea what is involved and what is in the bone marrow concentrate. Many mislead the public with a stem cell presentation using amniotic fluid product wherein it has repeatedly demonstrated there is an absence of stem cells in amniotic fluid once processed, frozen and fast thawed. What about adipose derived stem cells? For one, to liberate the stem cell from the adipocyte, there has to be a cycle of enzymatic degradation. The latter violates FDA requirements. What about platelets and growth factors in adipose derived materials? Given the relative absence of blood supply in fat, I have yet to find a scientific publication suggesting there are growth factors in adipose tissue.
The cover story in the April 2017 AARP.ORG/Bulletin is titled “How to Stop Fraud, The Ultimate Guide to Protect Yourself from Scammers and Crooks” While not directed to Regenerative Medicine, the warning applies. As suggested by the Mayo Clinic referenced article above, the best protection is a second opinion.
To schedule call: 312 475-1893
You may visit my web site at www.SheinkopMD.com
Or watch my webinar at www.ilcellulartherapy.com
Tags: Benefits and Risk, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Orthopedic Surgeon, Regenerative, regenerative medicine, Regenexx-SD, stem cell treatment
Mar 13, 2017
It came to pass over the last several weeks that I had contact with two separate patients; one in my office and one by e-mail inquiry. Both individuals had, prior to treatment, roughly the same levels of arthritic impairment. Both with grade three arthritic knees, were similar in age, weight, height and previous levels of activity. The e-mail contact presented with a history of having undergone a total knee replacement two years earlier. The outcome was a swollen, painful and stiff knee leading to a repeat surgery (revision) one year later. Because of persistent pain, swelling and stiffness, a recent knee aspiration had been completed leading to the diagnosis of an infection. The email inquirer indicated that his orthopedic surgeon and infectious disease consultant had recommended surgical removal of the prosthesis, placement of an antibiotic impregnated cement spacer for three months during which time a pic line would allow for a three-month continuum of intravenous antibiotics. There after assuming repeat cultures of the joint would be consistent with elimination of the infection as well confirmed by a normal Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, C-Reactive Protein and White Blood Cell Count, yet a fourth surgery would allow for another attempt with a Total Knee Prosthesis. All this assuming the infection had been eradicated. Space does not allow for the options if all of the above measures were to fail.
Turning our attention to the second patient who had undergone a Bone Marrow Concentrate/Stem cell intervention as contrasted to the surgical approach, he had recently returned from a second week of helicopter skiing. While it is true that he couldn’t ski eight hours a day for seven straight days, he had enjoyed a great week with friends and his daughter even if he had skied only two full days and four half days. This is his third consecutive year of helicopter skiing made possible by the Bone Marrow Concentrate/Stem Cell intervention he had undergone three and a half years ago.
Certainly, there is a time and place for a joint replacement; but the saga in my first paragraph reviews only some of the risks inherent in said surgery. On the other hand, a Cellular Orthopedic intervention in my experience carries a very minimal risk. In over seven hundred procedures in the last four and a half years, I have not found an infection. Certainly, every patient doesn’t go helicopter skiing after the procedure; our outcomes data clearly documents a return to or continuation of a very active lifestyle after a cellular procedure for an arthritic joint.
To schedule an appointment call (312) 475-1893
To visit my web site go to www.sheinkopmd.com
To watch my webinar visit www.ilcellulartherapy.com
Tags: arthritis, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Trial. Mitchell B. Sheinkop, Interventional Orthopedics, knee arthritis, knee injury, knee pain, knee replacement, knee revision, Orthopedic Surgeon, Osteoarthritis, regenerative medicine
