The PRP Injection: Are You A Candidate? (QUIZ)

Don’t miss our “The PRP Injection: Are You A Candidate?" QUIZ at the bottom of the article!

There are several telltale signs and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Although occasional knee pain and stiffness isn’t uncommon, there comes a day when one realizes that his or her knees are not like they used to be. Don’t ignore what your body is trying to tell you, instead keep an eye out for new sounds your knees might be making, new areas where pain occurs, and how frequently your knees get stiff and sore. Here are 5 signs that you may be a candidate for the PRP injection.

1. Sore You were used to your knees occasionally aching after a long jog or hike, or perhaps from doing manual labor like gardening or woodworking. However, you’ve started noticing that your knees just hurt all (or at least most of) the time. This could be due to the degeneration in knee cartilage, which means that the movement of your knee joint is mostly bone-on-bone. This can cause sore, painful, and achy knees, which the PRP injection could benefit by regenerating knee cartilage growth.
2. Stiff Having a little knee stiffness from time-to-time isn’t abnormal, especially after rigorous physical activity. But if you’re starting to feel like your knee is stiff even after laying down for long periods of time, that could be a sign of joint inflammation due to a lack in cartilage. This means that there’s a good chance you may have knee OA. The healing properties of concentrated blood platelets in the PRP injection can help ease this inflammation by repairing any damaged tissues and bone. In fact, a study from 2011 found that “autologous PRP injections showed more and longer efficacy than HA injections in reducing pain and symptoms and recovering articular function.”
3. Loud If your knee sounds like a small firecracker going off every time you move it, you may have knee OA or meniscal damage. Either case can be accompanied by both pain and stiffness. Look out for crackling and crunching sounds, as this is a sign that cartilage has worn away, and that the knee joint is now bone-on-bone or a sign of damage and tearing of the meniscus. As previously mentioned, the PRP injection can help regenerate cartilage in the knee joint and stimulate meniscus healing, which would further help prevent any noisy bone-to-bone sounds.
4. Age Although knee OA can affect nearly anyone for a number of reasons, age is a factor to consider. According to the CDC, 49.6% of persons ages 65 or older reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Also, consider that the infection rate for people over the age of 75 is higher than their younger counterparts. Invasive surgery and implants should be taken very seriously, that’s why it’s important to consider a non-invasive approach with significantly less recovery time- the PRP injection. For those who are younger and suffering from knee OA, it’s also important to consider PRP therapy, as surgery can entail a much longer and arduous recovery period than anticipated, especially since a joint has to be replaced every 10 years (on average).
5. Don’t want surgery No one likes the thought of surgery, and there is certainly no exception for a total or partial knee replacement. Regenerative medicine has recently made (and is continuing to make) great advances in joint regeneration therapy. Both athletes and everyday people alike have been taking advantage of the benefits that the PRP injection has to offer- and now you can too.

***Want to see if your symptoms may qualify you as a candidate for the PRP injection? Take the quiz by clicking here!

Call us today at 1-855-734-3678 or e-mail us at [email protected]

Checking for Tick Bites: How To Prevent Lyme Disease

Summer is right around the corner, and for those who spend more time in suburban or rural areas this blessing always comes with the curse of checking for tick bites. Blacklegged ticks––also known as deer ticks––are infamously known for their ability to spread Lyme Disease- an illness that can cause a multitude of symptoms such as joint inflammation and body aches, nausea, fever, headaches, and swollen lymph nodes. Although it takes some time and effort, there are several things the CDC recommends one do in order to prevent tick bites.

Before You Go Outside…

Before hiking in the forest or walking in the meadow, you probably head to the store to purchase mosquito repellent, but make sure that you also invest in a good tick repellent, too. Make sure these products contain...

• Permethrin- you can use Permethrin on “boots, clothing and camping gear.” [CDC]
• DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide)- 20% or more. DEET should be applied to skin, avoiding contact with the mouth and eyes, can “protect up to several hours.” [CDC]

If you hike with long pants on, make sure that you wear long socks to pull up over the ankle area and onto the pant leg so that ticks cannot come into contact with skin.

When You Come Inside…

It’s surprisingly easy to overlook a tick crawling on your leg or arm, as some of them can be incredibly tiny. The CDC recommends a few steps that you can take to further prevent tick bites…

• First and foremost, carefully take a look at your clothing for any ticks. Do not wipe your legs, as they may be flicked off and into the house. If you see a tick, grab it with a pair of tweezers or a tissue and dispose of it by flushing it down the toilet. Place your clothes in the dryer and put it on high heat- this should kill any unseen ticks. If you are washing your clothes, make sure you use hot water, as cooler temperatures do not kill ticks.
• Take a shower. The running water can help wash unattached ticks off of the body. “Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease.” [CDC]
• Lastly, check your body. Always use a full-body (or hand-held) mirror to make sure you cover as much area as possible. Common places to miss seeing ticks are…
• Inside––and the back of––the ears
• The underarms
• In the belly button
• Behind the knees
• In the hair/hairline and back of the neck
• Inner thighs
• The whole buttocks area

If You Find An Attached Tick…

If you happen to find an attached tick, use a pair of tweezers and carefully grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible, then pull it straight out.

Over the next week, make sure to check the area for any sort of rash. Tick bites are most known for the “bullseye” rash they can leave behind. Take your temperature every day, and note any flu-like symptoms. This could be a symptom of lyme disease.

If You Think You May Have Lyme Disease…

Call your primary care immediately. When getting tested for Lyme, make sure that if your doctor uses the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, that they also use the Western Blot Test as the ELISA test can provide false-positives. If you are tested within two months after being infected OR 1 year after being infected, the ELISA test may not read as positive at all. This is why it is important to also receive the Western Blot Test, which will usually confirm the diagnosis as it detects antibodies to several proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacteria transmitted from Lyme). [MayoClinic]

Studies Show That It May Be Time to Look for Alternatives to Knee Replacement

As an Increasing Number of People Face Chronic Knee Pain, Both Patients and Physicians May Need to Start Seeking Alternatives to Knee Replacement Surgery

It's time to start looking for alternatives to knee replacement surgery. More and more people are diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee. One study states that, apart from aging, reasons for the growth in knee osteoarthritis cases include the obesity epidemic, as well as “knee injury, repetitive use of joints, bone density, and muscle weakness”.

In fact, the amount of people inflicted with knee osteoarthritis has skyrocketed so much that a study from 2010 found that it is “one of the leading causes of global disability.” This same study warns physicians that they’ll need to brace themselves for a massive increase in treating the painful and debilitating condition. There are estimates that by “2030, only in the United States” knee osteoarthritis “will burden 67 million people.”

Traditionally, physicians have guided their patients towards receiving a total (or partial) knee replacement.

But is this really the only form of treatment? The answer is no. Is knee replacement surgery the safest form of treatment? That answer is a definite no.

We’ve already mentioned how knee replacement surgery is not the safest, easiest, or cheapest route to take by any means. That’s why many people have started seeking out more natural alternatives to knee replacement

Regenerative medicine has become one of the main alternatives to knee replacement. This is because the protocols are generally much easier than traditional surgery, far less painful and time consuming, minimally invasive, and–in the end–are most cost efficient. This especially holds true for PRP therapy and adipose-derived stem cell treatments.

It’s important to gather as much information as possible before considering regenerative therapies. New discoveries are made in the field of regenerative medicine every day, and the physicians of Regeneris Medical are finding that regenerative therapies are some of the safest options to consider.

If you are thinking about any alternatives to knee replacement surgery, click here to learn more about regenerative therapies, or contact us at 1-855-734-3678 or [email protected] to speak with one of our attentive staff members today.

Top 7 Questions to Ask When Considering Cellular Therapy

It’s understandable to have a lot of questions about a topic that not many people know much about. This can especially be the case when one is considering receiving cellular therapy. Although it’s a fairly new approach to treating medical conditions, it’s a fast-growing practice with many people predicting that it is the future of medicine. As a medical facility that prides itself on being one of the forefronts to providing cellular therapy treatment for multiple conditions, Regeneris Medical has compiled the top 7 questions to ask when considering cellular therapy.

Questions to Ask When Considering Cellular Therapy

1. What cellular therapies are available?

There are several different types of cellular therapies that have been integrated into regenerative medicine. These include skin and blood stem cells, cord blood stem cells, bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells, adipose(fat)-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and fetal stem cells.

The most frequently used stem cells tend to be bone or adipose(fat) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). While some facilities still use bone MSCs, there is no doubt that autologous adipose-derived MSCs are by far the easiest and least painful to obtain, and absolutely ethical for the conduction of cellular therapy.

2. What cellular therapy should I choose?

This really depends on what you are trying to accomplish (for example, if you give birth and want to freeze your cord blood for your child for when he/she grows older and may need easy access to a potent and effective cellular therapy). Generally, mesenchymal stem cells are the most used due to their availability. Keep in mind that mesenchymal stem cells are 2,000 times more abundant in adipose (fat) tissue than bone. And like we’ve mentioned before, the protocol for harvesting adipose-derived MSCs (also known as Stromal Vascular Fraction, or SVF) is much easier and far less painful than harvesting bone-derived MSCs.

3. Who provides cellular therapy?

With regenerative medicine becoming more and more popular, and the research and use of cellular therapies on the rise, providers and clinical trials can be found nearly in every state within the United States of America. In fact, the U.S. currently has 136 clinical trials going on. That just shows you how popular the idea of utilizing regenerative medicine and cellular therapies is becoming.

One of the most important things you can do before receiving treatment from a doctor who claims to use cellular therapy is to do your research on said provider. Make sure that this doctor has a good reputation by using Google, FaceBook, Twitter, asking around on internet health forums, and speaking with other providers.

4. What does your provider specialize in?

This will require some research on your part. It’s important to know just what your provider specializes in. With this in mind, choose a practitioner that focuses on whatever part of the body your condition affects. Some facilities, such as Regeneris Medical, have multiple practitioners with different specialties.

However, understand that because cellular therapy is still being researched (note that that receiving autologous cellular therapies is safe), consider receiving treatment if a provider offers you to be a part of a study. The benefit of this is that you will receive free study medication and treatment, and you may be qualified to receive a stipend for your time and travel.

5. What facility near me has the most experience with cellular therapy?

Again, you’ll have to research a little further to make sure you are indeed choosing an honest and qualified practitioner. Big hospitals/medical facilities--or affiliates of these places--with notoriety and good reputations will generally have some sort of stem cell faction within them.

If you’re open to travel, Massachusetts is the top state within the U.S. in terms of providing above-and-beyond health care access with some of the most world-renowned doctors working there. Regeneris Medical is proud to be amongst one of the few facilities in New England that specifically specializes in treating ailments with regenerative medicine and cellular therapy.

6. What is the cost difference between traditional therapy and the cellular therapy?

Although cellular therapies are not covered by insurance, they can save you time and money in the long run. For example, receiving PRP Stem Cell Therapy instead of having total knee replacement surgery can help you avoid years of recovery time and multiple surgeries, as well as keep your wallet happy (in comparison to paying for a TKR, including all of the pre and post surgical factors such as physical therapy, infection treatment, follow-ups, etc.).

7. Should I participate in clinical trials for cellular therapies?

As we’ve mentioned before participating in clinical trials for cellular therapies can be incredibly beneficial. Not only for the researchers, but for the patients, as well. The benefits of participating in these studies is that, for the most part, (a) health insurance is not required (b) you will receive free study medication/treatment (c) you will also receive a stipend for your time and travel.

Contact Us

If you are considering cellular therapy over traditional therapy, call us at 1-855-734-3678 or e-mail us at [email protected]

Recovery Time For Knee Replacement Surgery: Could It Potentially Take Years?

Does Recovery Time For Knee Replacement Surgery Take Longer Than You Think?

You read the title correctly: it is possible that the recovery time for knee replacement surgery could be much longer than you had expected. That may seem implausible to some, but the reality of the situation is that many underestimate the total recovery time for knee replacement surgeries over the course of their lifetimes. And yes, you also read that correctly- surgeries. This may come as a surprise, but an individual’s first knee replacement surgery usually isn’t the last that they’ll have.

So what does this mean? Well, it means that someone can have multiple recovery times. Add those periods of recovery together, and an individual could technically rack up years of hospital time, downtime, trips to the doctor, physical therapy, and everything else that comes along with having knee replacement surgery.

Let’s break it down a little further- first and foremost, the hospital stay of the initial knee replacement surgery lasts from 7-14 days. Next up follows an average of 6 months of bedrest, physical therapy, changing bandages and compression socks, visits to the doctor, etc.- essentially sacrificing your precious time for half a year (and sometimes longer) of recovery. Even at that, that’s just assuming that there aren’t any surgical complications such as infections (which could technically make the recovery process over a year long, should surgical intervention be needed again). Oh, and by the way, you’ll probably have to get the surgery again anywhere between 5-15 years after the first replacement depending on your age and personal factors.

Adding all of this up together, that means that if you have your knee replaced at 45 years old and live until you’re 90, you could technically dedicate 3 years of your life to surgical and post-surgical treatments on your knee...and that’s just for one knee. So in actuality, recovery time for knee replacement surgery could take far longer than expected.

As we’ve mentioned before, the initial post-procedure recovery time for knee replacement surgery averages about 7-14 days in the hospital. While this may not seem like a long time, let’s apply this to the aforementioned scenario above. If you have 5 knee surgeries in your lifetime, that means that you could spend up to 2 months in the hospital. This of course is all dependent on factors such as age and severity, but life can sometimes throw a wrench in your recovery plans. This is especially true in terms of getting an infection while in the hospital.

Hospitals do have infection rates which can cause fairly problematic post-surgical issues. Implant infections are difficult to diagnose and treat, and can be incredibly costly. Although OrthoInfo says that “only” 1 in 100 knee replacement patients will develop an infection, consider the fact that over 700,000 people get knee replacement surgery. That means that over 7,000 people will develop an infection. Also, consider that to be a low-balled estimate. For example, one study found that out of 476 knees that had received knee replacement surgery, 91 had to be treated for infection and 385 “were revised for aseptic failure”. Because the infection rate is probably higher than previously estimated, one can’t count out the possibility that they will a) develop an infection, b) have to receive multiple surgeries in a short period of time, and c) have to extend hospital stay as well as recovery time for knee replacement surgery.

The aftercare regime that follows a knee replacement averages out to be about 6 months. Again, if we take our scenario from above, that means that someone could spend 2.5 years of their lifetime dedicated to post-surgical aftercare. How? If someone receives 5 knee surgeries in their lifetime from age 45 to 90 years old (2 replacements per knee, 1 needing surgical care due to infection), that means they could spend around 30 months of their life resting, changing bandages and compression sleeves, icing, and having to perform hour-long strength training exercises which are usually done in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

Add up all of this recovery time for knee replacement surgery and the number is close to 3 years. Although this may seem like a small number, it’s 3 years you will never get back. That number isn’t even including the continued physical therapy that will have to ensue between surgeries. Consider an alternative…Autologous Regenerative PRP Stem Cell Therapy.

Contact Us

Regeneris Medical’s autologous PRP Stem Cell Therapy has a total recovery time of only 2 weeks. That’s it. Regenerative PRP Stem Cell Therapy for knees is a safe, minimally invasive procedure with an incredibly minimal infection rate that won’t leave you bedridden for months. Regeneris Medical will help you utilize your body’s own healing powers so that you can get back to living your life without wasting any time. Your life is precious- don’t waste any time. Contact Regeneris Medical today for more information by calling 1-855-734-3678 or sending an e-mail to [email protected]