93 year old finds relief of pain with PRP

Posted on May 5, 2011 by admin

Greetings,

This is a testimonial about a 93 year old man we treated early in 2009, who had Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections in his knee. He was diagnosed with sever osteoarthritis and meniscus derangement. His MRI and x-rays showed bone on bone. He was suggested to have knee surgery for total knee replacement by 2 orthopedics. After his first treatment he was having less or no pain and his function was much improved. Also helpful for ACL and PCL tears, Medial and lateral collateral tears, as an alternative to arthroscopic surgery and for other joints such as AC, SC, shoulder, ankle, elbow ( medial and lateral epicondylitis), lumbar, cervical disc, DJD of the spine, spondylolesthesis, stenosis of the spine, whiplash and other ligament disorders of the spine. If Chiropractic adjustments don’t hold. If spinal decompression hurts after this is usually needed. This patient golfs his age which is impressive seeing he’s 93. Filmed the day before his 93′rd birthday. Also an avid bowler. He also had great results with prolotherapy and platelet rich plasma therapy for his knee arthritis which he was recommended to have surgery or total knee replacement’s.

I specialize in joint regeneration using Prolotherapy using PRP and Dextrose solutions. I practice with a very talented Chiropractor who also evaluates our patients for joint stability and structural issues associated with damages joints and ligaments. We also find EWOT and Class 4 laser therapy helpful in our treatments to aid in the regenerative capacity. Please feel free to contact our office with any questions or to set up a consultation at our office!

Regards,

Wellington Chen, M.D.
Prolotherapist & Joint Regeneration

Comment:

This is one of my favorite patients of all time!! He did so well with the laser and the PRP injections. Impressive at 93 yrs old I would say. Please pass this video on to all you grandparents and their freinds! The orthopedics are butchering them up like live stock!

I practice in Sarasota, Florida and have for 14 yrs. I like to say I practice what I preach and stay healthy myself. Our clinic is Advanced Wellness Center and we are the 3rd largest Holistic center in the state of Florida. We are diversified and often help people who no one else can. Some of the special services we offer besides Acupuncture and chiropractic are NeuroCranial Restructuring, Pettibon, Class 4 laser (k-laser), RIT or regenerative Injection Therapy, Prolotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, EWOT or exercise with oxygen, super slow zone training, Asyra testing and biological terrain testing acupoint injection therapy. Advanced Wellness Center in Sarasota, Florida. (941)330 8553 www.advancedwellness.us

Your’s in Health,

John Lieurance, D.C.
Functional Neurology

Posted in Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy, PRP | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Instability after hip arthroscopy is due to a number of factors, including excessive rim trimming, capsulotomy, overzealous labral resection, or inadequate labral repair.

Posted on May 20, 2012 by admin

Hip Arthroscopy
“Hip arthroscopy is an evolving surgical tool, and with any new procedure, it is important to learn from the complications encountered. A patient with mild hip dysplasia and a symptomatic labral tear underwent uneventful hip arthroscopy and labral repair including partial debridement of a hypertrophied ligamentum teres. Despite preservation of the labrum, no pincer resection, and a modest capsulotomy, 3 months, subluxation and joint space narrowing were noted.

One year, end-stage arthritis was present, requiring total hip replacement.

Instability after hip arthroscopy is due to a number of factors, including excessive rim trimming, capsulotomy, overzealous labral resection, or inadequate labral repair. This report emphasizes the importance of the ligamentum teres and small disruptions of the capsule in patients with mild dysplasia.”

Mei-Dan O, McConkey MO, Brick M. Catastrophic Failure of Hip Arthroscopy Due to Iatrogenic Instability: Can Partial Division of the Ligamentum Teres and Iliofemoral Ligament Cause Subluxation? Arthroscopy. 2012 Jan 31. [Epub ahead of print]

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Stem cell therapy and meniscal repair in Sarasota, Florida.

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin


At a presentation at the a presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (1) researchers found that their study suggested an improvement in knee pain and less osteoarthritis progression in patients receiving mesenchymal stem cell.


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The Versatility of Cytokine Rich Plasma or CRP. I call it Healing Honey!

Posted on April 30, 2012 by admin

Gecko Joint and Spine is proud to offer CRP. CRP contains the optimal levels of growth factors without the red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and platelet membranes. It also contains a natural bio-scaffold (ECM) with three times the levels of plasma protein levels needed for scaffold production contained in PRP.

Oregen Life Sciences

                              Picture from Oregen Life Sciences

CRP has advantages in non-surgical orthopedic injection treatments for tendons, ligament, muscle and arthritic joints because it does contain optimal levels of growth factors and cytokines, like “Interleukin IL-1ra antagonist”, which has demonstrated in studies and in clinical use to be a powerful pain reducer especially in arthritic joint disease.

“In patients with osteoarthritis in the knee, ACS injections demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in pain scores compared to hyaluronic acid and saline injections. While these results are preliminary, it does appear that levels of IL-1ra higher than found in circulating blood can provide clinical benefit”.

The following Case study is positive evidence of the use of CRP in a patient who had five knee surgeries facing the early stages of Osteoarthritis.

Case Study
This 36 year old patient underwent 5 knee surgeries for a fully torn ACL and four cartilage tears in both knees at various times. He presented with pain and decreased mobility and could not even bend down when trying to line up a putt.

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One-Step Cartilage Repair with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrated Cells and Collagen Matrix in Full-Thickness Knee Cartilage Lesions

Posted on April 18, 2012 by admin

One-Step Cartilage Repair with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrated Cells and Collagen Matrix in Full-Thickness Knee Cartilage Lesions

Results at 2-Year Follow-up

  1. Alberto Gobbi1⇓
  2. Georgios Karnatzikos1
  3. Celeste Scotti2
  4. Vivek Mahajan1
  5. Laura Mazzucco3
  6. Brunella Grigolo4

  1. 1Orthopaedic Arthroscopic Surgery International, Bioresearch Foundation, Milan, Italy

  2. 2Residency Program in Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

  3. 3Centro Trasfusionale e Laboratorio Biotecnologie, Ospedale SS Antonioe Biagio, Alessandria, Italy

  4. 4Laboratorio di Immunoreumatologia e Rigenerazione Tissutale, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli , Bologna, Italy
  1. Alberto Gobbi, MD, Orthopaedic Arthroscopic Surgery International, Via Amadeo 24, 20133, Milan, Italy Email: gobbi@cartilagedoctor.it

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine the effectiveness of cartilage repair utilizing 1-step surgery with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and a collagen I/III matrix (Chondro-Gide, Geistlich, Wolhusen, Switzerland). Materials and Methods: We prospectively followed up for 2 years 15 patients (mean age, 48 years) who were operated for grade IV cartilage lesions of the knee. Six of the patients had multiple chondral lesions; the average size of the lesions was 9.2 cm2. All patients underwent a mini-arthrotomy and concomitant transplantation with BMAC covered with the collagen matrix. Coexisting pathologies were treated before or during the same surgery. X-rays and MRI were collected preoperatively and at 1 and 2 years’ follow-up. Visual analog scale (VAS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Lysholm, Marx, SF-36 (physical/mental), and Tegner scores were collected preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months’ follow-up. Four patients gave their consent for second-look arthroscopy and 3 of them for a concomitant biopsy. Results: Patients showed significant improvement in all scores at final follow-up (P < 0.005). Patients presenting single lesions and patients with small lesions showed higher improvement. MRI showed coverage of the lesion with hyaline-like tissue in all patients in accordance with clinical results. Hyaline-like histological findings were also reported for all the specimens analyzed. No adverse reactions or postoperative complications were noted. Conclusion: This study showed that 1-step surgery with BMAC and collagen I/III matrix could be a viable technique in the treatment of grade IV knee chondral lesions.

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Making PRP Work Better by Mechanical signals as anabolic agents in bone with Whole body Vibration.

Posted on April 8, 2012 by admin

I started to do some research on increasing stem cells naturally and came across this article. Basically it makes sense the Whole body Vibration will stimulate mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow. It only requires brief exposure like 10-15 minutes. At Gecko Joint and Spine we look to integrate the best technologies to improve Platelet Rich Plasma, PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone.

Review

Nature Reviews Rheumatology 6, 50-59 (January 2010) | doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.239

Mechanical signals as anabolic agents in bone

Engin Ozcivici, Yen Kim Luu, Ben Adler, Yi-Xian Qin, Janet Rubin, Stefan Judex & Clinton T. Rubin  About the authors

Abstract

Aging and a sedentary lifestyle conspire to reduce bone quantity and quality, decrease muscle mass and strength, and undermine postural stability, culminating in an elevated risk of skeletal fracture. Concurrently, a marked reduction in the available bone-marrow-derived population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) jeopardizes the regenerative potential that is critical to recovery from musculoskeletal injury and disease. A potential way to combat the deterioration involves harnessing the sensitivity of bone to mechanical signals, which is crucial in defining, maintaining and recovering bone mass. To effectively utilize mechanical signals in the clinic as a non-drug-based intervention for osteoporosis, it is essential to identify the components of the mechanical challenge that are critical to the anabolic process. Large, intense challenges to the skeleton are generally presumed to be the most osteogenic, but brief exposure to mechanical signals of high frequency and extremely low intensity, several orders of magnitude below those that arise during strenuous activity, have been shown to provide a significant anabolic stimulus to bone. Along with positively influencing osteoblast and osteocyte activity, these low-magnitude mechanical signals bias MSC differentiation towards osteoblastogenesis and away from adipogenesis. Mechanical targeting of the bone marrow stem-cell pool might, therefore, represent a novel, drug-free means of slowing the age-related decline of the musculoskeletal system.

Author affiliations

E. Ozcivici, Y. K. Luu, B. Adler, Y. -X. Qin, J. Rubin, S. Judex & C. T. Rubin
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, NY 11794-2580, USA (E. Ozcivici, Y. K. Luu, B. Adler, Y. -X. Qin, S. Judex, C. T. Rubin).  Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA (J. Rubin).

Correspondence to: C. T. Rubin clinton.rubin@sunysb.edu

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Sarasota Doctor Treatments Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction with PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint is classified as a cartilaginous synovial joint and is comprised of the sacrum and ilium, which are located where the spine meets the pelvis. Its stability is sustained by various ligaments. The sacroiliac joint’s primary function is that of a shock absorber for the pelvis, and lumbar–lower–back.
Symptoms of this type of joint dysfunction can include mild to severe pain, which generally manifests on both sides of the body. Pain in the sacroiliac joint is not an uncommon complaint. Prolonged sitting typically aggravates the pain, and many patients find they must frequently rise and stretch if they are required to spend extensive amounts of time in a seated position.
Injury is one of the most common causes of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Many times, patients report being rear-ended in a vehicle accident, or falling in such a way as to land directly on their buttocks. This causes trauma to the sacroiliac joint area.
This type of pain can also occur if a patient has undergone a lumbar fusion procedure due to an injury. In such cases, physical therapy or intra-articular cortisone injections may be indicated.
Proper diagnosis of any joint dysfunction is critical in order to select the appropriate treatment. Patients with lower back pain are sometimes diagnosed by a procedure called the Patrick’s Test. This is a simple physical examination used to discover the existence of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. It is performed by placing the foot of the patient’s leg on the opposite knee and applying mild pressure. If the patient experiences pain in his or her hip or sacral joint, the test is considered positive. It is essential to look at all potential causes of lower back pain, as there are various reasons a patient may experience this symptom.
Many people with these and other joint problems do not wish to resort to surgery. Alternative orthopedic treatments are available for individuals who feel this way. Stem cell procedures are of considerable benefit for many such orthopedic ailments.Gecko Joint and Spine  utilizes PRP, Prolotherapy and stem cell, and other regenerative procedures to aid those who suffer from sacroiliac joint dysfunction. They also perform highly sought after treatments in which mesenchymal stem cells are utilized.
Anyone suffering from joint disorders may wish to consider these types of procedures. Back and hip pain can be a debilitation condition, and a person should take advantage of any appropriate treatment that could potentially offer relief.

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Florida Doctor treats Iliolumbar ligaments with PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Iliolumbar ligaments are some of the most important ligaments in the entire body. They literally hold lower spine together, affixing it to stronger support bones. Trauma or injury to these strong ligaments not only weakens them, but it can lead to a degenerative process that causes further pain and restricted movement. Traditional surgery can help an iliolumbar injury, but it has long been known that the best course of treatment would be through new techniques and regenerative medicine. Gecko Joint and Spine  has developed and performs Prolozone  and platelet rich plasma treatments that are minimally invasive and very effective.
What Are They? Where are They?

The Iliolumbar ligament plays a crucial role in supporting the lower spine. On one end, these ligaments are connected to the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae (L4, L5). On the other end is the iliac bone, located on the back of the pelvis. Ligaments are fibrous tissues that hold bones together, providing support while allowing movement in joints. The sacroiliac joint, which the iliolumbar ligament supports, helps provide stability to the base of the spine while providing the give necessary for such movement as walking, running, and adjusting body position.
Symptoms of Iliolumbar Ligament Injury

The greatest symptom experienced from iliolumbar ligament sprain or injury is severe pain. This stabbing pain is not always present, but comes on suddenly, lingering for a long while before subsiding. The pain grows worse during physical activity and from long periods of remaining in a sitting position. The area of the lower back where the ligaments are can be tender to the touch, and many who suffer this injury experience a feeling of general weakness. This type of injury can lead to more serious injuries of the spine, which often results due to a degenerative process, resulting in herniated discs or nerve root compression.
Treatment

Treatment of iliolumbar ligaments often depends on the severity. Because the back and spine are such sensitive areas, surgery is often a last resort. Traditional non-invasive treatment is in the form of ice packs, rest, over-the-counter analgesics such as ibuprofen, and physical therapy. If this doesn’t work, surgery becomes more of an option. Today, new stem cell treatment and regenerative medicine using platelet rich plasma provide another option before full-out surgery. Since regenerative medicine restores ligament tissue, it can not only fully heal the ligament but prevent further degeneration.

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Florida Doctor Treats the Interspinous Ligament with PRP, Prolozone and PRP.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Interspinous ligaments are located between each vertebra to connect each vertebra to the other. Ligaments are made of fibrous tissue and connect bones to other bones. When an injury occurs to the interspinous ligament, healing can take from weeks to months due to limited blood supply. Whiplash is one such injury that is caused by straining the interspinous ligaments. This occurs when the neck is suddenly jerked back and forth. Whenever these ligaments are injured, this can affect the stability of the spine as well as movement. Proper diagnosis of interspinous ligament damage is important to rule out fractures or other more serious conditions. Diagnosing this type of injury usually requires x-rays and CT or MRI scans. Individuals who suffer with these ligament injuries often experience pain and tenderness at the location where the ligament is damaged as well as limited movement. Treatment involves reducing the inflammation of the ligament and if torn, providing medications, usually injectables into the injury site for assistance in healing.
Gecko Joint and Spine is using molecular and regenerative medicine in a new and innovative manner to treat such conditions as interspinous ligament injuries. Because this type of injury normally takes a long period to completely heal, this new and cutting edge treatment provides faster healing while reducing the pain, swelling and inflammation.
This new molecular and regenerative medicine is done with the use of stem cell treatment or platelet rich plasma treatment. By using the patient’s own stem cells or platelet rich plasma, the injured ligament is nourished with essential nutrients, bioactive proteins, growth factors and other important proteins to promote faster healing by repairing the tissue and promoting regeneration at an accelerated rate. These types of treatment are especially effective for injury sites that have poor blood supply, such as interspinous ligaments.
Stem cell treatment consists of taking a specimen of bone marrow from the pelvis. The procedure is normally painless as anesthesia is provided. The specimen is then placed in a machine that spins and separates the stem cells from the other substances. It is then placed into a syringe and injected into the injured ligament. This type of treatment is normally only used for severe injuries. Less severe injuries are usually treated with platelet rich plasma injections. The specimen is collected from a blood sample of the patient’s and placed in the machine that spins and separates platelets from other blood fluids. This is then placed in a syringe and injected into the injury. Both treatments are very effective at reducing pain and speeding up the healing process. Normally only one treatment is needed for effective results.

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Florida Doctor Treats The Biceps Tendon with PRP, Prolozone and Prolotherapy.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Biceps tendinosis is a form of chronic tendonitis in the bicep tissues. It is a degenerative condition that occurs when the bicep tendons are overused and the connective tissue of the tendon is torn or stretched beyond its normal capacity. Damage is done to the cells which can cause a breakdown of the cell function. The weakened structure of the cells results in an overall reduction of tendon strength and increases the chance of a more severe rupture occurring.
Tendinosis of the biceps can be caused by the aging process, but it is more commonly caused by the repetitive motions that many athletes and bodybuilders perform. The condition may be identified by an MRI or (MSK) ultrasound. The symptoms of tendinosis can vary from person to person. Individuals may complain of stiffness in the affected area, severe throbbing, or a deep burning pain that surrounds the tendon. In many cases, moderate to severe pains may occur during and after any physical activity. If the injury is left untreated, the amount of damage can increase, and a small tear can become a severe rupture.
There are various treatment options for those suffering from tendinosis. The most effective solutions for treating biceps tendinosis are conventional orthopedic methods and regenerative medicine. Minimal tears may repair themselves, but in many cases, rehabilitation practices may be necessary to encourage healing. More serious injuries may require other procedures such as PRP or stem cell treatment. This process uses the body’s stem cells to repair the damaged tissues. Treatment includes the use of stem cells that are found in the blood, fat cells, and bone marrow.
With stem cell treatment, a physician can withdraw cells from a specific area and separate them. The stem cells can then be injected into the affected tissues. Because stem cells have self-repairing qualities, this method allows the cells to assist in mending the damaged tissue. It also encourages the damaged cells to modify themselves. In addition to this treatment, platelet rich plasma may be utilized to amplify the repair work of the stem cells. Stem cells are not fully active without the presence of platelet rich plasma.
These non-surgical techniques used to repair damaged tissues are available through Gecko Joint and Spine. By combining traditional orthopedic practices and regenerative medicine, the center offers cutting edge solutions to patients suffering from the painful effects of biceps tendinosis.

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Florida Doctor treats Glenohumeral Ligaments and Joint with PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Chronic glenohumeral ligament sprains can be painful and debilitating. In many situations these sprains can cause the shoulder to dislocate, requiring frequent trips to the emergency room. Glenohumeral ligaments play a large role in keeping the complex shoulder joint together while allowing for a full range of movement. Chronic spraining can be treated surgically, but new stem cell treatment, platelet rich plasma treatment, and regenerative medicine techniques offered by Gecko Joint and Spine are less invasive and can be more effective.
What are Glenohumeral Ligaments?

Glenohumeral ligaments derive their name from the glenohumeral joint, the primary joint of the four joints that comprise the shoulder. This is the ball joint where the ball-shaped end of the humerus, the upper arm bone, fits into the socket on the inner scapula, the shoulder blade. Ligaments are the fibrous tissues that connect bones to other bones, thus the glenohumeral ligaments attach the humerus to the scapula, specifically the part of the scapula called the glenoid. This circular bundle of ligaments is responsible for providing the majority of support for the shoulder. The ligaments form a watertight seal around the joint called a joint capsule.
Causes and Risk Factors

The most common cause of chronic glenohumeral ligament sprains is a previous sprain that never completely healed or did not heal correctly. The initial sprain could have been caused by a number of factors or events, including sports, complex movements made by those with poor coordination or balance, inadequate stretching, or connective tissue disorders.
Symptoms

The primary symptom of glenohumeral ligament sprains is pain. In addition to the pain, the shoulder can be tender, swollen, red, or bruised. A feeling of warmth in the sprained shoulder also often occurs. The sprain can cause a limitation in the normal range of movement of the shoulder. In worst cases, the shoulder dislocates and must be reset.
Treatment

Some forms of these types of sprains can heal simply through rest or through physical therapy. However, chronic glenohumeral ligament sprains never fully heal. This is why they occur over and over again. The traditional treatment for chronic sprains in the shoulder has always been surgery, but new forms of treatment and regenerative medicine have now been developed that offers several benefits over surgery. Prolozone treatment and treatments using platelet rich plasma help the ligaments to regenerate. With more ligament tissue available, they become stronger, greatly reducing the chances of sprains in the future.

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Florida Doctor treats Acromio-clavicular joint dysfunction using PRP, Prolozone and Prolotherapy.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Acromio-clavicular joint dysfunction and pain is a condition that tends to strike athletes, especially those who play sports where collisions are frequent. The acromio-clavicular joint is the point where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade. It can be injured by falling onto the shoulder or on an outstretched arm. Repeatedly throwing and/or raising your arm, especially while lifting weights, can also put too much stress on this joint and wear it out. This leads to stiffness and, often, severe pain. Acromio-clavicular joint injuries can usually be distinguished from other sorts of shoulder injury by the fact that they make it difficult to reach across your body without pain.
While milder forms of acromio-clavicular joint dysfunction and pain can be treated by wearing a sling and avoiding dangerous behavior in the future, the more serious types are difficult to treat without resorting to surgery. A worn-out joint does not just go away on its own. But before you go to the extreme of risking surgery, consider PRP treatment instead. This form of healing and regenerative medicine uses stem cells drawn from your own body to rebuild the injured joint, with only a local anesthetic and no cutting required. Platelet Rich Plasma stimulates Stem cell to migrate the the area which can then become any type of cell needed, are how your body naturally repairs damage.
They go to work almost immediately to repair the joint damage. Because it’s minimally invasive and uses cells from your own body, this form of treatment and regenerative medicine is much less dangerous, and easier to recover from, than surgery. In most cases, only a few injections of stem cells and platelet rich plasma over the course of two or three months will see a marked improvement in the injured area.

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Florida Doctor Treats Patellar Tendonitis/ Tendinosis with PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Patients, especially athletes, who present with knee pain will often be diagnosed with patellar tendonitis or patellar tendinosis. The two are differentiated by the level of inflammation present. Tendonitis presents with more inflammation of the tendon surrounding the patellar joint whereas tendinosis is strictly the tearing and failed healing of the ligament. Both conditions are associated with consistent pain in the knee area. Sometimes the disorders are referred to as “jumper’s knee” or “Sinding-Larson-Johansson Disease”.
The conditions are caused most often by overuse injuries. Tearing, degeneration, and subsequent inflammation is how the disease progresses in most patients. Orthopedic doctors and surgeons see cases from all areas of sporting. Football, basketball, gymnastics and skateboarding are some of the most often seen. Most patients are under age 35 but the number of cases continues to rise for people in an older age bracket.
Patellar tendonitis and tendinosis are treated with exercise, rest, and medication. Tendonitis can be treated effectively with some anti-inflammatory drugs. The conditions can become chronic, however, and a patient’s response to these therapies diminishes over time. Surgery on the patellar area is painful and can cause complications that may need further treatment. New modalities are being developed to help patients in this situation.
PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is being used to help the tendon to heal. The cells help the tendon to produce normal tendon cartilage and the patient can go home with less pain and more functionality of the knee. Stem cell therapy and platelet rich plasma injections are showing promise to be practical and effective in many scenarios where conventional therapies have failed.
Gecko Joint and Spine is making this technique accessible to those suffering from these conditions. Many doctors have been researching and incorporating platelet rich plasma and stem cell injections into their orthopedic practice, but Gecko Joint and Spine is using proven technologically advanced methods. This has led to a high success and patient satisfaction rate among their clients.

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Florida Doctor Treats Osgood-Schlatter’s disease with PRP, Prolozone and Prolotherapy.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin

Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is an injury to the oblong elevation on the top front of the tibia bone. This elevation is known as the tibial tuberosity, and it forms the skeletal fulcrum for the extension of the knee. Because of its location, fractures to the tibial tuberosity are very uncommon in adults. Injuries are most commonly observed in physically active boys between the ages of 9 and 16. Surveys by orthopedic physicians indicate that the condition is more prevalent in males than females; this is presumed to be a result of higher physical activity in males.
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease is more properly a syndrome, not a disease, because there is no known genetic marker or specific etiology. It is essentially a self-limiting condition because affected individuals are unable to continue with the physical activities involving the damaged knee. Running, jumping and climbing stairs causes intense pain, and in most cases there is no indication of any preceding trauma to the knee. Orthopedic intervention is rarely required. In most cases, treatment consists of complete avoidance of physical activity involving the knee for a period of 1to 2 week, followed by a gradual resumption of physical activity over a period of 1 month. The syndrome may occur again within the next 1 to 2 years. After this time period the skeleton has typically matured and fully healed.
In some cases, more extended rest and recovery periods are required. Small percentages (10%) of patients continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. Stem cell therapy has been clinically shown to be beneficial in the treatment of such patients. At Gecko Joint and Spine in Sarasota, Florida, physicians use cutting edge PRP, Prolozone, Prolotherapy stem cell therapy to treat medical issues such as degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis, Osgood-Schlatter’s, bursitis, tennis elbow and many other joint conditions.
Gecko is one of the few facilities in the US today which isolates adipose mesenchymal stem cells and performs stem cell harvesting. Gecko combines new stem cell treatments with traditional therapies to obtain positive results in dramatically shortened period of time. In many cases traditional surgery is no longer even required.

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Florida Doctor Treats Quadraceps Strain Using PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone.

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

Quadriceps strain occurs as a result of a tear in the fibers within the group of quadriceps, which consists of four large muscles that are located at the front of the thigh. These muscles aid in the ability of the knee to straighten properly and can be debilitating once injury has occurred. Those that are more susceptible to contracting quadriceps strain are athletes who participate in sports that incorporate quick accelerations of movement. It can also occur as a result of overexerting the quadriceps over the normal tension threshold, as well as enduring a full blown hit to the area. Also, those that have had quadriceps injuries in the past will increase the likelihood of repeated affliction.
Due to the varying degrees of quadriceps strain, three grades have been used to determine the severity of injury. Grade one thigh strain can result in a slight discomfort in walking, as well as tightness of the thigh and difficulty in straightening the knee. It is the least severe out of the three and can usually be cured in less than a month with an adequate amount of rest. Grade two thigh strain involves the partial tearing of fibers and can result in sharp pains during activity of the muscles, which makes the bending of the knee impossible. Grade three thigh strain is the most severe out of the three and involves the rupturing of muscle fibers. Those that are suffering are advised to seek immediate medical attention, as the injuries could become worse without adequate treatment. In this case, recovery can extend beyond three months if surgery is used.
For those that are suffering from quadriceps strain and would like a non-invasive route to recovery, the medical professionals at Gecko Joint and Spine offer the latest in orthopedic care with their use of pro, prolotherapy and prolozone as well as stem cell therapy. Unlike traditional means to quadriceps strain recovery, stem cell therapy uses the stem cells and platelets that are separated from bone marrow that’s extracted from the patient to be injected in to the area of injury. In addition to the platelets directing the stem cells to repair the damaged muscle fibers, the stem cells also help to stimulate the damaged cells to restore themselves. This form of orthopedic care can see results in under three months and is a sufficient means of repair.

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Florida Doctor Treats Enthesopathy with PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone.

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

Enthesopathy is the general medical term giving to arthritic and other orthopedic conditions affecting the tendons and ligaments instead of the joint membranes. Entheses is where the muscle tendon, ligament or muscle attach to the bone or joint capsule. Enthesitis is the inflammation of the areas where tendons or ligaments attach to the bone. Several factors, either individually or collectively, can cause enthesopathy. These include genetics, injury, illness, age, weight, and infection.
There are over one hundred types of arthritis and related conditions each with their own specific symptoms; however, some general symptoms include persistent joint pain, pain or tenderness in a joint which becomes aggravated by movement or activity, such as walking, getting up from a chair, or writing, inflammation, swelling, stiffness, joint deformity, lost of range of motion, extreme fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.
Some forms of arthritis and related conditions include: Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, reactive arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), periarthritis, scapulohumeral fibrositis, bursitis, tendonitis, ankylosing spondylitis, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff syndrome of shoulder and allied disorders, and enthesopathy of the wrist, elbow, knee, hip, or ankle.
There are many options to manage and treat these conditions. Some common choices are over-the-counter medications and creams, and prescription medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, COX-2 inhibitors, corticosteroids, analgesics(pain medications), and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD). Natural treatments are an alternative. They include acupuncture, biofeedback, massage, Tai Chi, yoga, and taking supplements like fish oil, chondroitin, and glucosamine. Injections are an option. These include Synvisc, Supartz, Orthovisc, Euflexxa, and Hyalgan. Surgery is another option. Arthroscopy is one type of surgery used. It is a minimally invasive surgery used to repair torn ligaments. A newer option is stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy is a type of intervention involving a series of new techniques and technologies that introduce new cells into damaged tissue in order to treat a disease or injury.
Gecko Joint and Spine uses a combination of techniques including traditional orthopedics, platelet rich plasma, and stem cell therapy to treat a variety of orthopedic injuries. These techniques allow for non-surgical treatments to many injuries and conditions from strains, sprains and tears to many forms of arthritis.

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Florida Doctor Treats Chronic Achilles Tendinosis with PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone Injections.

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

The Achilles tendon connects the lower calf muscle to the heel, allowing the muscle to control such activities as walking, running, and jumping. The most common injury to this tendon is chronic Achilles tendinosis, which results from overuse. The largest demographic to suffer from this type of injury are physically active adults over the age of 50.
Contrary to previous medical dogma, tendons rarely become injured due to inflammation (tendinitis). Today, most tendon injuries are believed to involve a degenerative process resulting from overuse (tendinosis). The part of the tendon most susceptible to this type of injury is the region adjacent to the bone (osteotendinous junction). The osteotendinous junction tends to have very few blood vessels, which may limit how fast normal wear and tear injuries can be repaired. If small injuries accumulate faster than they can be repaired, a painful, degenerative condition called tendinosis or tendinopathy may develop. This theory is supported by microscopic examination of tendon biopsies, which reveal that the normally highly organized collagen fibers that make up the core of tendons are in disarray and the injury has been invaded by new blood vessels.
Symptoms of chronic Achilles tendinosis include the presence of bumps or nodules, and the onset of tendon pain when bearing weight. These symptoms are typically preceded by a history of increased activity. Treatment approaches can vary to some extent between orthopedic specialists, but a decrease in load-bearing activity, along with stretching, ice packs, eccentric exercises, and an over-the-counter pain reliever, is typically recommended. Surgery is only performed when more conservative treatments have failed.
Unfortunately, only about 80 percent of patients can expect to achieve a full recovery and this can take anywhere from about 3 to 18 months. To maximize a patient’s potential for a full and fast recovery the specialists at Gecko Joint and Spine can develop a personalized treatment plan that may include PRP, Prolozone, Prolotherapy using Dextrose or stem cell therapy. When combined with conservative treatments, stem cell therapy provides a rich source of cells and cellular products that can aid in the healing process. Anyone who believes they may be suffering from chronic Achilles tendinosis, or who has failed to improve using conservative treatments, should contact Gecko Joint and Spine for a complete evaluation before resorting to surgery.

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Florida Doctor Treats Plantar Fascitis with PRP and Prolozone Therapy.

Posted on April 5, 2012 by admin

Plantar fascitis is a painful and debilitating condition that primarily affects athletes, people whose jobs require them to stand for long periods of time, and other people who put heavy stress on their feet. It involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, the strands of connective tissue that run along the sole of the foot, linking the heel of the foot to the ball and toes. It usually manifests as sharp pain in the heel or sole of the foot and an inability to flex the toes upward. If left untreated, it can lead to other and more severe orthopedic conditions, such as further foot, shin, and knee problems. It is estimated that at least a million people suffer this sort of heel pain.
There are many possible treatments for plantar fascitis, but physicians do not agree on the best way. Most physicians recommend some combination of orthopedic foot supports, physical therapy and stretching of the foot and leg, and injections of anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone, occasionally with ultrasound therapy. It is difficult to tell ahead of time what remedies will work in an individual case, and not everything works reliably for everyone. Surgery to release the tension on the plantar fascia is dangerous, since it risks damaging nerves or making the pain worse, and so is only used in cases that cannot be resolved any other way.
However, there is a new technique for dealing with this condition, pioneered by a few medical centers, including Gecko Joint and Spine. For the past14 years, Gecko has been developing stem cell therapy’s for plantar fascitis and other bone, joint, and tendon injuries. Their techniques involve injecting substances that promote your own stem cells, including growth factors and platelet-rich plasma, to treat the stressed connective tissue. These shots can work better than the traditional cortisone shots, since they not only soothe the pain, they can regenerate damaged tissue. Repeated cortisone shots can actually lead to further damage in the affected tendons, but that’s not true of stem cell therapy.
If you suffer from this condition and have tried, and been left unsatisfied by, traditional orthopedic remedies, it may be worth your time to investigate stem cell therapy. There’s no need to let your life be limited by foot pain, or risk even more damage to your feet and legs, when a safer, more reliable treatment is available.

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Florida Doctor Treats Ulnar collateral ligament injury with PRP, Prolotherapy and Prolozone.

Posted on April 1, 2012 by admin

Ulnar collateral ligament injury is a painful affliction that affects the wrist, arm, and elbow. It is common in sports players who perform repetitive motions with their hands and arms such as pitching baseballs, throwing footballs, or swinging a tennis racket. The injury is by no means relegated to sports. Many people experience an injury of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) simply as the result of a fall. Standard treatment can take time, but a new Regenerative Injection Treatmemts such as Prolotherapy with Dextrose, Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP, and Prolozone treatment under the guidance of high definition ultrasound performed by Gecko Joint and Spine can result in quicker and more efficient healing.
What/Where is the UCL?

The ulnar collateral ligament, also known as the medial collateral ligament, is located on the inner part of the elbow, the side closest to the body. It is a thick band of ligament tissue composed of three distinct sections that form a triangle on the medial side of the elbow. The three sections are called the anterior bundle, the posterior bundle, and the transverse ligament. The ULC is responsible for forming and maintaining the connection between the humerus, the upper arm bone, and the ulna, the larger of the two forearm bones.
Symptoms of UCL Injuries

UCL injuries can cause severe pain on the inside of the arm around the elbow. The pain is greatly increased during elbow movement. An ulnar collateral ligament injury can cause the elbow to pop, grind, or temporarily lock up. Swelling and bruising may be apparent in major injuries. Although the pain is largely responsible for a loss in the range of elbow movement, the physical range can also be affected.
Treatment for UCL Injuries

Some forms of UCL injuries can be treated non-surgically through physical therapy. The first stage of any treatment, however, is to rest and reduce the movement of the arm and elbow. Common analgesic drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen help to reduce swelling and pain.
When physical therapy does not solve the problem, surgical intervention may become necessary. In some cases, direct repair of the ligament is required. The ligament may also need to be reattached to the bone with sutures that tie into small holes drilled into the bone. New techniques involving Prolotherapy with Dextrose, Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP, and Prolozone treatment under the guidance of high definition ultrasound  have been developed that can cause the ligament to heal more quickly and more efficiently. In the process of platelet rich plasma, the PRP will cling to the ligament and transform into new ligament cells. The procedure has already proven effective in clinical studies.

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Sarasota Doctor Treats Chronic Thumb Sprain with PRP and Prolozone Injections.

Posted on April 1, 2012 by admin

A thumb sprain, also known as “skier’s sprain,” is an injury to the ligaments around the thumb joint and many times the radial collateral ligament at the base of the thumb. It is caused when the thumb suddenly and forcefully bends past its normal range of motion. Immediate swelling occurs with bruises developing after a few days. Sprains of this nature often occur during hard falls or collisions, usually while participating in competitive sporting events like volleyball, soccer, and skiing.
Chronic thumb sprain is an injury that has been ongoing for at least one or two months. The patient suffers continuous pain and swelling around the thumb joint, which may feel very loose and weak. Pain can be exacerbated when attempting to grasp and hold onto objects using the thumb and forefinger. This pinching movement is often greatly hindered. The ability to perform certain basic tasks like using a pencil or tying shoe laces might be impaired. Playing sports is often not an option.
In the early stages of chronic thumb sprain, doctors may recommend physiotherapy treatment, massage, and mobilization using wrist-thumb or thumb supports to alleviate symptoms and strengthen the joint. Depending on the severity of the injury, hand therapy balls and therapeutic putty may also be used to strengthen the thumb. However, if the ligament is completely torn, surgical procedures may be used to repair the lesion. With advances in modern medical technology, non-invasive methods like Platelet Rich Plasma, Prolotherapy with Dextrose treatment and Prolozone are becoming available to heal and rehabilitate joint and ligament injuries.
Gecko Joint and Spine is a leading contributor for cutting edge research and practical applications, aimed at treating chronic thumb sprain and other orthopedic injuries. Our staff works to seamlessly integrate therapeutic knowledge and regenerative medicine. Platelet Rich Plasma or Stem cell treatment involves introducing attractors of stem cells to damaged ligament tissue, repairing and replacing the injured ligaments and/or radial collateral ligament.
Platelet rich plasma or PRP, which contains different growth factors called cytokines, are released into the body. Cytokines wake up the stem cells to reproduce in the body, and to begin healing. Continued breakthroughs in medical science and regenerative medicine are necessary to produce more safe and effective treatment elements, like platelet rich plasma. When treatments like these become the norm, more invasive procedures to heal chronic thumb sprains, and the painful recuperation periods which follow, may become a thing of the past.

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Florida Doctor Uses PRP and Prolotherapy to Treat Piriformis syndrome.

Posted on March 25, 2012 by admin

Piriformis syndrome is a painful orthopedic condition in which the sciatic nerve becomes irritated by the piriformis muscle. It is a rather rare, neuromuscular disorder. The piriformis is a narrow muscle that lies within the gluteal muscles, with the sciatic nerve passing underneath. It is thought that acute or chronic injury causes swelling of the muscle and irritates the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica. The pain can be a shooting pain in the buttocks or thigh, a tingling sensation, or even numbness.
Sufferers will find it very uncomfortable to stand on their feet for more than a couple of minutes, or conversely, it can ache to sit for too long. It will make it hard to get a full night’s sleep. As the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, pain in this area will severely limit the sufferer’s mobility. Piriformis syndrome will prevent sufferers from not only day-to-day activities, but will keep them from sports and other physical activities they enjoy.
For many people, the prognosis is good. They can achieve relief from piriformis pain with stretching and massage, and avoiding strenuous exercise and other physical activities. Relief can be found from ice and heat, using ice when the pain first starts and then alternating heat and ice. Ultrasound is another option, which provides a much deeper heat. Sometimes, steroid injections are made directly into the muscle. On rare occasions, surgery is used.
But for chronic suffers, these traditional methods often are not enough, but many people want to avoid surgical procedures. One place is vigorously pursuing non-surgical solutions to many orthopedic problems. Gecko Joint and Spine employs traditional Chiropractic techniques with new technologies. These technologies, many of them actually developed by the Institute, utilize prolozone, prolotherapy, and platelet rich plasma, and supplements. While many medical centers are only now getting these techniques, Gecko Joint and Spine has already used them in hundreds of patients. While these other centers may be using prolozone or platelet therapies, they are not combined with other technologies or therapies and using ultrasound guidance. In this regard, Gecko Joint and Spine is unique.

 

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