KD is a 29 year old male with a several year history of low back pain, sciatica, and weakness in his leg. His MRI showed L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc bulges. Weakness in the leg is a common problem for patients with nerves that are being compressed by lower back disc bulges. The weakness happens because signals from the brain to muscles travel along nerves (called motor nerves) that go through the low back. So when the motor nerve is compressed by the bulge, the leg muscles can become weak. KD was seen through a large health care system and was given oral steroid pills and steroid epidural injections, which didn’t help his low back pain or leg symptoms. He then saw a spine surgeon who felt that low back surgery was unlikely to help him.
By the time he first saw us in May of last year for a consult, he had concerning weakness in his leg/foot. Since he was not interested in low back surgery because of the risks, despite the concerning leg weakness, we recommended he try the Regenexx-PL-Disc procedure. Instead of another epidural with steroids, he had two injections using platelet lysate. The patient was seen in clinic yesterday and reported 70% improvement in his low back pain and elimination of the burning and numbness in the leg. In addition, his examination showed improved strength in his leg/foot.
KD’s response to this procedure is very similar to what we’ve been seeing in patients over the past several years. Many of our patients who have failed traditional steroid epidurals or who have maximized their benefit to steroid epidurals, get additional benefit from the Regenexx-PL Disc procedure. We have slated the patient to have two more procedures to try and regain more of the lost strength in the leg.
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.
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.
DISCLAIMER: The procedures and claims made about particular procedures on or through this site have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. All statements, opinions and references provided by GetRegenerative.com are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute an endorsement of any medical provider nor guarantee the efficacy of the treatments provided. Get Regenerative does not diagnose or treat medical conditions via this website or via telephone. This site disclaims any liability for damages or negative consequences from treatments provided by the physicians listed herein to any person referencing GetRegenerative.com.
*DISCLAIMER: Like all medical procedures, Regenexx® Procedures have a success and failure rate. Patient reviews and testimonials on this site should not be interpreted as a statement on the effectiveness of our treatments for anyone else.
Providers listed on the Regenexx website are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation from Regenexx for a specific provider or a guarantee of the outcome of any treatment you receive.
