Recovery from Stem Cell Therapy

Knee surgery often requires significant post procedure rehabilitation.

Microfracture, a common surgical procedure designed to create new joint cartilage, requires 6-8 weeks of non weight bearing after surgery.  This can lead to muscle weakness, joint stiffness and significant post procedure physical therapy.

CB, a professional athlete, despite undergoing two knee surgeries continued to have significant knee pain and limited range of motion.  CB was unable to climb stairs or run without significant pain.  Instead of undergoing an additional surgery, CB elected to use his own expanded stem cells using the Regenexx procedure.

 CB underwent additional therapies at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic which  included  prolotherapy to tighten loose ligaments and lumbar epidural injections with platelet derived growth factors. Compared to many orthopedic surgeries which require limited activity and extensive physical therapy, CB’s postprocedure restrictions were minor:  no high impact activity such as running and the use of an un-loader brace for 2 weeks. 

Several weeks following stem cell therapy, CB reports 85% improvement in his range of motion and knee pain.  He wanted to challenge himself so he tackled Vail Mountain.  Looking sharp…….

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair Without Surgery

 

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is critical to the support and function of the knee.

A tear in the ACL is a serious injury which can mean the end of an athletic or demanding career.    Surgical options include repair of the damaged ligament vs complete reconstruction with a patient’s own tendon.  Complications  include infection, blood clots, technical failure, damage to muscles, tendons and associated ligaments and the change in the biomechanics of the knee.

EK is a 31 y/o athletic officer at one of the nation’s military academies who sustained a tear in his ACL.  He opted for a non-surgical therapy.  Below is EK’s MRI prior to and 1 month following x-ray guided injection of prolotherapy.  The patient reported improved stability and reduction in pain.  This corresponds with the changes noted on MRI.

The ACL is identified by the red  ovals.  On the left the ACL fibers  are loose and poorly organized; they meander upwards rather than appearing tightly stretched.   In the post-prolotherapy MRI on  the right,  the ACL fibers are tightly arranged moving from the bottom left to the upper right.  The fibers now appear to have a denser appearance (darker in this image).

Patient is scheduled to have re-implantation of expanded mesenchymal stem cells directly into the ACL next week utilizing the Regenexx procedure.  At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic different regenerative therapies are available which allow patients non surgical options for common orthopedic injuries.   Therapies include prolotherapy, PRP, platelet derived growth factors and expanded mesenchymal stem cells.