Stem Cell Patient Experience

Stem Cell Patient Experience

By: Edward G. Loniewski, DO, FACOS, FAOAO

We treat numerous patients for arthritis of their joints with cell based therapies including bone marrow derived stem cells.  Most our patients improve and lead more productive lives, and some do not improve as much as they hoped and we work on alternative methods such as joint replacement to help these patients.  Joint replacement is a very reliable, reproducible and durable solution for advanced arthritic joints.   Close to 90% of the patients receiving a total joint replacement have pain relief and over 80% of these patients will still have this same joint functioning fine 20 yrs. or more out the date of their surgery.[1]  However, almost 30% of these patients are unsatisfied with their joint replacement.[2]  Issues such as pain with kneeling can be painful and descending stairs can feel unnatural. In addition, there is up to a 16% complication rate with these surgeries which concerns patients and families if this is the most appropriate and safest decision. [3]  On the other hand, cell based treatments such as bone marrow derived stem cells or platelet rich plasma have a success rate ranging from 80-90% and a 1% or less complication rate.[4]

One patient who refused to consider joint replacement and needed to have a high functioning knee for his career was Kim Sticker.  He is a world renown professional fisherman who produces, edits and stars in a nationally syndicated fishing show called Hook n’ Look on the Outdoor Channel.  Kim is an accomplished professional fisherman winning the prized Bassmaster Michigan Top 100 tournament at Lake St. Clair, Michigan and thus had high demands on his knees.    Kim was a very compliant patient and did everything we asked him to do to try to salvage his knees including therapy, injections, proper shoe wear, glucosamine sulfate and even arthroscopic surgery.  When we exhausted all our conservative measures, we suggested partial knee replacements.  However, Kim pointed out that it would be very difficult for him to continue to fish with knee replacements since he needed to kneel throughout the day.   Joint replacements can produce significant pain with any sort of kneeling or squatting. Thus, we agreed to try a stem cell procedure to salvage his knees and allow him to get back to fishing, kneeling and squatting without fear.

Kim underwent this procedure and slowly and carefully he returned to a lifestyle he was accustomed to.   As he states in his testimonial video, he is not 18 yrs. old again, but his knees are reliable and not painful.   His recovery did take some time to take effect, but now he is back to fishing and enjoying his new grandchildren with little to no pain.

At Advanced Orthopedic Surgeons, we strive to provide you with ethical and effective treatments for your orthopedic conditions.  We only recommend treatments with proven benefits that we would only use on ourselves with or our cherished family members.  In fact, I received a stem cell procedure back in November of 2016, and I have also used these same treatments on my own father with great results.   We provide you with an honest and comprehensive evaluation of your condition.  You can find out if you are a candidate for stem cell therapy by taking our free and easy Stem Cell Questionnaire and you can call us for an evaluation at 810-299-8550.

[1] https://www.aahks.org/care-for-hips-and-knees/do-i-need-a-joint-replacement/total-hip-replacement/)

[2] Lam, YF et al, A Review of the Clinical Approach to Persistent Pain Following Total Hip Replacement, HongKongMedJ , 2016 Dec: 22(6): 600-7

[3] Courtney, PM et al. Complications Following Outpatient Total Joint Arthroplasty:  An Analysis of a National Database. JArthroplasty, 2016 Dec 14

[4] Hernigou, P, et al, Cell Therapy of hip necrosis with autologous marrow grafting , Indian J Orthop.2009 Jan-Mar; 43(1): 40-45

[4] Michalek J et al.,  Autologous adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction cells in patients with osteoarthritis, Cell Transplant, 2015 Jan 20. doi: 10.3727

 

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