PRP therapy / Stem Cell Therapy

Posts: 335 - Karma: 355

Oct 1 2016 9:59AM

I was wondering if anyone has heard of or had PRP therapy, and what their outcome was with it? It looks like a great alternative to surgery for a lot of injuries-reducing the recovery time to only about 2 weeks and strengthening, tightening, and healing the muscles/ligaments.

I've had 2 and a 1/2 knee dislocations, and am aware that I most likely need surgery. I am trying to give it one last go by strengthening the muscles around my knee as much as possible.

If anyone has had PRP/ stem cell therapy for any kind of injury please tell me how your experience and success rate with it was. Thank you!

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Skibumsmith

Posts: 5414 - Karma: 11,608

Oct 1 2016 3:31PM

I read that Cody Townsend did it, but it didn't say if it did anything for him or not.

My surgeon calls it snake oil. He said the idea behind it makes sense but with the current technology it just doesn't work.

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dangerdad

Posts: 2228 - Karma: 317

Oct 1 2016 3:42PM

It has a pretty interesting history in the US. America has dramatically limited research because of moral objections and fears of creating dangerous mutations. Regenexx is the company that has dominated the field and had a significant legal battle a couple of years ago.

Right now, in the US, you can get same day stem cell treatments. What they do is draw stem cells out of your pelvic bones and use them to repair partially torn or non-retracted ligament damage. If your ligament is fully retracted then you're SOL. In the cayman islands, they withdraw your cells and multiply them in a petri-dish which is not legal in the US.

I did some research and really can't find significant, sold data to support their treatments. The data the present is total crap and due to restrictions, there have been few true studies about stem cell repairs.

The biggest thing to consider is that OUTCOMES ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFECT! Yes, healing time is faster. Yes, there have been success stories. This is not always the case.

Hopefully in some time there will be more research allowed in the US or big Euro breakthroughs.

Good Outside article: http://www.outsideonline.com/1921886/no-more-knife-stem-cell-shortcut-injury-recovery

For you other medical peoples: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4634187/

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dangerdad

Posts: 2228 - Karma: 317

Oct 1 2016 3:54PM

Oh yea, problems with current treatments;

1. it's f@#$ing spendy right now. Could eventually be really cheap.

2. There are risks in withdrawing the stem cells. Bone infections.

3. Orthapeadic surgons make on average 900,000 per year and can charge around 15-30 per repair. They hold the power and it's not likely to change.

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