topic Re: Regenerative Medicin in Wellness

Regenerative Medicin

3JJJ — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 17:56:07 GMT

I'm looking for input on regenerative medicine (adipose). My knees are a mess and I do not want to have TKR. I've been looking in to this and it seems to good to be true. Other than the fact that insurance doesn't cover it, it seems great. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

Love my grandkids — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 18:57:33 GMT

@3JJJ Have you discussed with a *medical* professional?

If something sounds too good to be true it probablly is.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

pdlinda — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:10:51 GMT

@3JJJ I was just curious regarding why you are excluding TKR in your planning for your damaged knees.

I had my right knee replaced in 2019 and am very satisfied with the result.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

We rescue cats — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:40:32 GMT

@3JJJ I have just finished up with a series of injections in my knee, they told me it will be several weeks for it to work but it is already better than it was. I read that cortisone is a better choice but I cannot tolerate it. My issue is arthritis that has caused degeneration of the cartilage.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

3JJJ — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:45:45 GMT

Yes, I have. The people who use it (of course, they love it and tell me I'm an excellent candidate and I "should" have very good results). And my PCP who said she doesn't know alot about it but has known of 3 patients who had it and had no success.

I have also been researching an excellent orthopedic surgeon for my sister who is having issues and regenerative medicine is listed in his list of qualifications. We haven't seen him yet.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

3JJJ — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 19:47:34 GMT

My sister had 2 TKR and they were nightmares. I don't want to go through the pain and downtime they require. I don't have any one to help me take care of things. I want a non-invasive solution, if possible

Thank you all for your input.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

Meowingkitty — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:02:43 GMT

I had tkr 6 weeks ago and I'm already walking a mile on an indoor track, water aerobics 3 times a week. Just finished 6 weeks of PT. Yes it hurts for the first week. That's what drugs are for. After that it's not so bad. My doctor told me that injections don't work in the long term.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

Carmie — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:14:51 GMT

I looked into it but decided against it. I tried every injection out there, physical therapy and whatnot and my knees kept getting worse, especially the right knee.

I got to the point that I could no longer walk, or bend my knee. Even sitting down was painful.

My cartlidge was gone. I was bone on bone and scraping the bone away.

I couldn't wait any more and I had no quality of life. I chose the quick fix. I had a TKR. It was the best thing I ever did and I was sorry I put it off so long.

My right knee is pain free and I can bend and balance on it.

My left knee is also bone on bone...it fact, I looks worse than the right on X-rays , but is not terrible painful and I have complete range of motion.

When it hurts too much for me to bear, I will have another TKR. My surgeon is the best in the area. Almost all of his patients have very little pain afterwards and are back to normal in three weeks.

If you want to give Regenerative medicine a try, don't wait until you knees are too far gone.

New Cartridge won't help much if your actual bones are damaged beyond repair.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

Snowpuppy — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 20:40:57 GMT

I have osteoarthritis in one knee. My PCP suggested platelet rich plasma injections where a patient uses their own blood to regenerate an arthritic knee.

Not covered by insurance but I am considering the procedure.

Mayo is working on experimental knee/hip regenerative cartilige treatments for non arthritic patients.

ETA: the body is always looking to heal itself. If you are considering alternative therapies like regenerative medicine understand that these can take time as they are meant to work with the body. They are not a quick fix.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

jlkz — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 21:36:43 GMT

@Carmie

You may want that great surgeon to do the second knee, so sign up before he retires or moves away to a more lucrative practice. A friend had this happen to her a while ago.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

Carmie — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:09:38 GMT

@jlkz yeah, I thought about that and even mentioned it to him. He is in his early 60's and says he is not ready to retire.

He runs in marathons and this crazy orthopedic surgeon snow skis in Utah every winter.

Who ever heard of an ortho doctor that skis?

Re: Regenerative Medicin

pdlinda — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:13:25 GMT

@Meowingkitty Yes. that was my experience. I took the benzos for about a week and then used Tylenol for another week to 10 days. Was back driving in 4 weeks after my PT was completed. Had an excellent surgeon.

I had the interim cortisone shots a few times, but, like you, my surgeon told me it was only an interim fix and shooting steroids into your body is never optimal.

I also had both my hips replaced with great results.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

We rescue cats — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:21:18 GMT

@Snowpuppy A very good friend of mine who spends most of her work day on her feet opted for the PRP procedure, I believe she has had 2 of the injections and has one more to go. She has had no change in the pain level as of yet. I believe she is paying over $2000 per injection.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

SilleeMee — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 00:37:18 GMT

Regenerative medicine therapies are not FDA approved for any orthopedic condition.

There are several risks involved with the use of RM products.

"Important Patient and Consumer Information About Regenerative Medicine Therapies"

https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/consumers-biologics/important-patient-and-consumer-information-about-regenerative-medicine-therapies

Re: Regenerative Medicin

Nightowlz — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 01:01:18 GMT

My doctor's nurse told me the chiropractor could fix my knee? I don't want TKR either.

When they finish the road construction I may go find out.

Re: Regenerative Medicin

Nonametoday — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 01:09:11 GMT

@3JJJ wrote:
Yes, I have. The people who use it (of course, they love it and tell me I'm an excellent candidate and I "should" have very good results). And my PCP who said she doesn't know alot about it but has known of 3 patients who had it and had no success.

I have also been researching an excellent orthopedic surgeon for my sister who is having issues and regenerative medicine is listed in his list of qualifications. We haven't seen him yet.

@3JJJ

I am just guessing so don't take this for gospel, but I do believe it will become available in the future, but FDA is long time in acting. When I had MS, there was nothing for it but steroids. Then came Beta interferon which was being used for blood cancers. It was being experimented in HIV. Interestingly, two HIV patients had MS and it did nothing for their HIV but was the best treatment they ever had for MS. It was offered to me but I had to pay, just like a compounding drug but far more expensive. I opted for it. It really helped me. Two years later, it was paid for by insurance because it was approved by FDA. I do recall when biologics were not approved for various illnesses and immunotherapy was not available but now it is for many cancers. I don't know if you can wait that long, for it to be approved but I wish you good luck and do what is offered until it comes along or until you can afford it. Wishing you the very best.