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Have you dealt with artificial low back disc complications? There’s been quite a scandal lately in the orthopedic device community over metal on metal hips that create wear particles and metal ions. What was called “hip resurfacing” is now surfacing as a huge problem as some of these patients are getting sick from their artificial hip. I recently came across a paper that surprised me, as it suggests that the same thing is happening in artificial low back discs.
I came across this first study while searching the National Library of Medicine Database for something else. In 15 patients, even at about 3 years after the placement of the artificial lumbar disc, patients had similar blood serum levels of Chromium and Cobalt to metal on metal hip replacement patients. The same group had also published an earlier paper showing the same thing. Like the metal on metal hips, there’s also evidence that in some patients, the immune systems is revved up by the metal ions. These papers focus on the Maverick Disc, which has more metal on metal contact than the ProDisc or Charite Disc currently in use in the United States. Of these U.S. devices, it’s likely that the ProDisc has some metal on metal contact, while the Charite disc would seem to have less, but less would still be too much.
The upshot? Like the problems seen in artificial knees and hips, it’s likely that any low back prostheses will cause wear particles that end up in the blood stream and these complications should be considereBased on what’s out there, the Maverick disc has been shown to have the same problem as metal on metal hips. It’s likely the other shoe will drop on the two used in the U.S. (ProDisc and Chartie), but we will await that research.
Chris Centeno, MD is a specialist in regenerative medicine and the new field of Interventional Orthopedics. Centeno pioneered orthopedic stem cell procedures in 2005 and is responsible for a large amount of the published research on stem cell use for orthopedic applications.
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Regenerative procedures are commonly used to treat musculoskelatal trauma, overuse injuries, and degenerative issues, including failed surgeries.
Shoulder
Many Shoulder and Rotator Cuff injuries are good candidates for regenerative treatments. Before considering shoulder arthroscopy or shoulder replacement, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
Many spine injuries and degenerative conditions are good candidates for regenerative treatments and there are a number of studies showing promising results in treating a wide range of spine problems. Spine surgery should be a last resort for anyone, due to the cascade of negative effects it can have on the areas surrounding the surgery. And epidural steroid injections are problematic due to their long-term negative impact on bone density.
Knees are the target of many common sports injuries. Sadly, they are also the target of a number of surgeries that research has frequently shown to be ineffective or minimally effective. Knee arthritis can also be a common cause for aging athletes to abandon the sports and activities they love. Regenerative procedures can be used to treat a wide range of knee injuries and conditions. They can even be used to reduce pain and delay knee replacement for more severe arthritis.
Many spine injuries and degenerative conditions are good candidates for regenerative treatments and there are a number of studies showing promising results in treating a wide range of spine problems. Spine surgery should be a last resort for anyone, due to the cascade of negative effects it can have on the areas surrounding the surgery. And epidural steroid injections are problematic due to their long-term negative impact on bone density.
Hand and wrist injuries and arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and conditions relating to overuse of the thumb, are good candidates for regenerative treatments. Before considering surgery, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
Hand and Wrist Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Trigger Finger
Thumb Arthritis (Basal Joint, CMC, Gamer’s Thumb, Texting Thumb)
Hip injuries and degenerative conditions become more common with age. Do to the nature of the joint, it’s not quite as easy to injure as a knee, but it can take a beating and pain often develops over time. Whether a hip condition is acute or degenerative, regenerative procedures can help reduce pain and may help heal injured tissue, without the complications of invasive surgical hip procedures.
Foot and ankle injuries are common in athletes. These injuries can often benefit from non-surgical regenerative treatments. Before considering surgery, consider an evaluation of your condition with a regenerative treatment specialist.
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