Blackberry Thumb

With the advent of texting as a means of communication, there appears to be an increase in the number of cases of thumb pain.  A common cause of thumb pain is arthritis of the  carpometacarpal joint( CMC)  This is where the metacarpal bone of the thumb attaches to the trapezium bone of the wrist. This joint is often referred to as the basal joint of the thumb.

Injury to CMC joint, such as a bad sprain or fracture, can cause damage to the articular cartilage. Even if an injury does not damage the articular cartilage directly,  it can alter how the joint works. After years of imbalance in the joint mechanics,  the articular surface becomes damaged. and the metacarpal becomes displaced. Articular cartilage cannot heal itself.  Consequently the joint is no longer able to compensate for the increasing damage and begins to hurt.

Treatment options are limited and include physical therapy, bracing and “cortisone” injections which will advance the destruction to the joint.

Surgical options are also limited and consist of fusion of the joint and implantation of an artificial joint (arthroplasty). 

Now there is an alternative utlilizing your  own stem cells through Regenexx.  It is a simple injection  of your own stem cells into the damaged joint.  This in combination with prolotherapy of the ligaments has afforded patients a significant reduction in the pain and increase in  their range of motion.  Please review one of own patients testimonlas.  She was able to forgo surgery and is thrilled with the results.

Does Whiplash Occur in Canada?

It appears that the Canadian health system has close links to the American insurance companies.  In years past the American insurance companies did not recognize whiplashand its attendant disabling pain.  Rather they banded together to create the concept of  M.I.S.T.  (Minor Injury Soft Tissue Injury).  The concept held that whiplash was a psychosocial phenomenon.  We all knew better and Centeno et al after reviewing the literature to date found a significant number of studies which refute the MIST concept.  The authors concluded  that a review of the literature did not support the validity of MIST.

At the Centeno-Schultz Clinicwe acknowledge the disabling pain and suffering that accompanies whiplash injuries.    We understand that when an injury as illustrated below occurs, it is not a psychosocial phenomenon. This type of trauma is referred to as a cervical acceleration-deceleration injury.   

There are many structures that can be injured including ligaments, muscles, cervical discs and cervical facets.  We treat a large number of Canadians for whiplash with great success.  Our ability to do so originates in knowing that this is a REAL injury with REAL pain. 

Biceps Tendon Repair

Shoulder pain can arise from many causes including osteoarthritis, loss of cartilage and damage to the supporting muscles and tendons.  Shoulder arthroscopy is often deemed essential to repair torn or degenerative tendons.  Often during shoulder arthroscoppy one or more tendons is mechanically re-attached to the bone in an effort to remove the “damaged” or diseased segment.  Unfortunately this can lead to over tightening of the tendon which places disproportionate pressure and force on the joint.  The increased force can and typically results is arthritis and degeneration of the joint.  So the arthroscopic shoulder surgery that was intended to ‘fix” the problem actually results in long term injury.

At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic we offer regenerative options to repair tendons.  Using your own stem cells we can place them exactly in the area of damage.  This is accomplished through intermittent x-ray.  Today I injected a patent’s own stem cells along their biceps tendon that had a documented tear on MRI.  It was a simple needle in, needle out procedure that took less than 10 minutes.  The black line is dye that I injected to confirm accurate placement of the needle.  It accurately outlines the biceps tendon.   After confirmation of accurate placement, I injected 15 million stem cells.  At Regenexx we offer multiple options to repair tendon, ligament, bone and lumar disc through the use of your own stem cells.