I didn't get much response/feedback from my blog posting regarding stem cell therapy, but the lone replier seemed to agree with my opinion of it one day replacing some surgeries. Thank you Kait for replying! This therapy is taking great bounds with the progress, so I have no doubt that one day stem cell therapy will have a more substantil role in the medical world.

 

Here are some stories about professional athletes and their success with stem cell therapy and platelet rich plasma therapy:

Jarvis Green and Stem Cells

Jarvis Green is a 2 time super bowl champion who had a failed lateral knee meniscus surgery. The patient also had lost cartilage under the knee cap. He was frustrated with his lack of results with traditional orthopedic surgery and in the 2009 season he missed 3 games due to knee surgery. The patient was referred to us by his physician and agent to see if stem cells would help his knee. He received a stem cell injection in his knee in July of this year. He reports 70% improvement today and has had significant changes in his before and after MRI’s. The radiologist noted improvement in the cartilage behind the knee cap. The loss of cartilage behind the knee cap can be a big game changer for many athletes, as this important structure helps the big thigh muscle (quadriceps). Jarvis will be coming back for future treatments.

Regenexx Patient Joe Maroon Featured in Wall Street Journal

Joe Maroon is amazing. A 70 year old iron-man that just keeps going and going like the Energizer bunny. Joe’s Ironman Triathlon work-out was just featured in the Wall Street Journal. When we first met Joe three years ago, he was placed into one of our mesenchymal stem cell studies and at that point hadn’t run an iron-man in 5 years due to his knee. After we injected stem cells in his knee, he went on to complete the Hawaii iron-man and is still competing. Joe didn’t get a new knee from stem cells, but clearly it does seem to have really helped him get back to competing at high levels and in major triathlons. Congratulations to our iron-man friend. Joe you’re an amazing inspiration to us all and at 70 you could swim, bike, or run any of us far younger guys under the table!

regenexx.com

What do you think about this therapy? could it replace surgeries for good?

Here are my knees after my follow up procedure with platelet rich plasma therapy

Many friends ask what kind of injections I receive during my road to recovery. Here is a brief sumamary of prolotherapy. It is used to aid the healing process.
Introduction to Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is an injection technique that has been shown to cause proliferation (growth) of cells and tissue to stabilize and strengthen weakened joints, cartilage, ligaments and tendons. The injected solution intentionally causes controlled irritation in the injected tissue. This irritation is an inflammatory response, which increases the blood supply and thereby stimulates the tissue to heal and regrow new tissue.

Prolotherapy strengthens ligaments instead of weakening them, as in the case of cortisone. The solutions vary from sucrose to fish oil. It is a non-surgical treatment, which appeals to many candidates.

 The term "Prolotherapy" is short for "proliferation therapy." Proliferation, of course, means "rapid production." What Prolotherapy rapidly produces is collagen and cartilage. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in the body that is a necessary element for the formation of new connective tissue—the tissues that holds our skeletal infrastructure together. These tissues include, tendons, ligaments, muscle fascia and joint capsular tissue.

It is not dangerous, and no serious side effects have been reported. Prolotherapy can be used to strengthen ligaments or used to speed up the healing process of injuries. The below picture is of a patient receiving a prolotherapy injection for back pain.

all resources from visit getprolo.org

Something interesting in stem cell research. The FDA is banning stem cell therapy using the stem cells from a patient's own fat. They claim that once it is extracted from a body it is considered "medicine". But, a few days ago,  Fox News showed a clip from a local doctor who continues to use this therapy. If interested, here is the link:
http://www.drmagaziner.com/stem-cell-therapy-philadelpha-south-jersey-news/
But, no such great news for this doctor, the FDA is now investigating.

Last Thursday, February 9, I received a stem cell treatment on my knees. It was an exciting day for me. Stem cell therapy is a promising treatment, especially for severely damaged joints, tendons, muscles, etc. It took about two hours from start to finish. To sum up briefly, my doctor, Dr. Shiple, took some blood from my arm and bone marrow from my iliac crest (top of hip bone). The bone marrow and blood was placed into a machine, stem cells and platelets extracted. With guidance from ultrasound, Dr.Shiple placed the stem cells into my damaged knees and the platelets into some not as severe injuries. I was sent home to bed rest for the first 24 hours. It was a long night, which I could not sleep because of a deep throbbing pain. I am feeling much better today, just very sore. I have faith this treatment will work. Time is on my side, and I am doing everything possible that will aid in my recovery.

This blog shares the advances in medicine. Such developments will be described and explained as how it can help others to overcome a variety of health problems. For the past several years, there have been numerous findings in such therapies such as platelet rich plasma therapy, prolotherapy, and stem cell therapy.
I have had much experience in having these treatments to aid in the recovery of multiple sport injuries. I was diagnosed with a genetic collagen disorder in 2010. These treatments are helping me to gain full strength and mobility. If you want to learn about how these therapies can help you and your ailments, follow my blog. Any advances or new research will be posted and shared with viewers.