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 28, 2015
Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of functional limitation and progressive deterioration in the quality of life. Nonsurgical treatment of the osteoarthritic knee has been the usual and customary weight reduction directive, recommendation for physical therapy, prescription for non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, followed by injections with corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid. The goal is to reduce pain and improve function but the classical non operative approach is not universally successful or long lasting. Alternatives are continually sought to provide pain relief and improve functional outcomes.
Recently, there has been a major initiative to introduce Amniotic Fluid in the treatment of the osteoarthritic knee. Allograft (from a third party) amniotic tissues have a long history of clinical use having been first reported in 1938. It is thought to be a homologue to synovial fluid, acting as a cushion to protect and lubricate in the closed environment of the knee. A recent study measured the safety and efficacy of processed allograft amniotic fluid in treating osteoarthritic knees using common, validated outcomes measurement tools. In the registry review, early outcomes suggest that the use of processed amniotic fluid allograft may offer a safe and effective treatment for OA of the knee for 90 days. The suggestion is that this treatment may be more durable than single corticosteroid injections and perhaps hyaluronic acid treatments. The study providing the background for this blog is still in progress. Of interest is the fact that no claim is made in the article supported by the pharmaceutical company that amniotic fluid is chondrogenic or contains stem cells. The latter is an extremely important consideration; beware of those who promote amniotic fluid on their web sites as providing viable stem cell content. As of this time, while amniotic fluid may contain cytokines (anti-inflammatories) and growth factors, it is only to be considered in the same category and comparable, perhaps longer lasting than a corticosteroid injection or a hyaluronic acid intervention.
The standard of Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Orthopedics remains Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate as the best source of anti-inflammatory cytokines, growth factors and only FDA approved source of viable adult mesenchymal stem cells. In spite of the FDA approval mandate, as recent as this morning, I received an invitation to attend a course that would teach me how to use adipose derived stem cells in my practice. Let me emphasize two points, Amniotic Fluid does not have viable stem cells until proven otherwise and adipose derived stem cells are illegal for use in the musculoskeletal system. That being said, even if adipose derived stem cells were FDA approved and thus available; bone marrow aspirate concentrate provides the Cytokines and the growth factors not found in fat while bone marrow aspirate concentrate provides stem cells not found in processed amniotic fluid.
Tags: Amniotic, arthritis, athletes, bone marrow, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Studies, Concentrated Stem Cell Plasma, FDA, Interventional Orthopedics, Knee Pain Relief, Mature Athlete, medicine, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedics, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenexx, stem cells, Synvisc, 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 7, 2015
Prolotherapy
In spite of what you may read and hear about repeated injections of 12 ½ % dextrose into your joint or in the soft tissues surrounding your joint, there is no scientific evidence to support the claims regarding a regenerative influence from Prolotherapy. That is not to say it might or could lessen pain around a joint; but the benefits, if any, are anecdotal in nature and fall under the realm of homeopathy. It belongs under the same classification as Acupuncture; there are followers, anecdote and practitioners but an absence of scientific proof as to how it works. Yet, even with paucity, if not absence of scientific evidence, there is no end to web sites extolling the regenerative nature of Prolotherapy.
From science to tabloid
This week, my office and email were inundated following the headline in the Monday Wall Street Journal concerning a 3D printing of a medial meniscus lattice into which stem cells had been injected. A total of one patient was featured who had an experimental meniscus surgically introduced to replace a previously torn medial meniscus. While in years to come, this may become common place, there are limited indications and many more years of clinical trial ahead before an artificial meniscus becomes a standard of practice. After age 40 or so, meniscal injury as documented on an MRI is more often than not accompanied by arthritis. Post traumatic arthritis and degenerative arthritis are contraindications to meniscal replacement and even are associated with a less than satisfactory outcome to existing arthroscopic interventions. I must remind the reader that degenerative and post traumatic knee arthritis may be reflected on the MRI as an abnormal meniscus but in addition, physical examination is compatible with an altered range of joint motion and mechanical axis deformities.
A Regenerative Medicine Offering with emerging Scientific Evidence
I am finishing up my statistical analysis concerning 170 patients with degenerative and post traumatic knee arthritis who have undergone Bone marrow Aspirate Concentrate/Stem Cell knee care in preparation for my presentation at the June meeting of The Orthopedic and Biologic Institute. After two years of follow-up, there is a statistically significant improvement in diminishing pain, increasing range of motion, enhancing well-being, and facilitating return to or maintenance of a highly active recreational profile. This is scientific evidence and the basis for my Regenerative Medicine approach to helping a patient manage arthritis.
Tags: arthritis, athletes, bone marrow, Bone Marrow Concentrate, Clinical Studies, Concentrated Stem Cell Plasma, Interventional Orthopedics, Knee, Knee Pain Relief, Mature Athlete, medicine, Orthopedic Care, Orthopedic Surgeon, Osteoarthritis, Pain Management, Regenerative, Regenexx, Regenexx-SD, 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
