TREATING A DOCTOR WITH FAILED KNEE MENISCAL SURGERY WITH STEM CELLS

TREATING A DOCTOR WITH FAILED KNEE MENISCAL SURGERY WITH STEM CELLS

Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

 

     Someone who continues to have knee pain after knee meniscal surgery is generally unhappy. Make it an athlete and it makes matters worse. Throw in the patient is also a Doctor, and he is an unhappy Doctor.

     So, how does an athlete Doctor who is unhappy with a failed knee meniscal surgery, get happy again? This particular Doctor sought out the care of Dr. Dennis Lox for Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Lox agreed the Doctor would be a good candidate for Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). The stem cell procedure was performed on his bad knee, which had failed to improve a year after knee surgery.

He was unable to engage in a lot of the sports he had previously done with ease prior to the knee meniscal problem. Following the Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment the physician returned to sports and no longer complained of knee swelling and pain. He deemed the Stem Cell and PRP treatment a success, and has told many of his own patients about his treatment, and many have in turn had the stem cell treatment as well. The Stem Cell procedure is a same day office procedure using the patients own stem cells. The stem cells are then reinjected into the knee. It is no more painful than a cortisone injection into the knee.

Recovery is generally quick, without the limitation of knee surgery. The interesting part of stem cell therapy is it may repair areas that have not responded to surgery, arthritic changes, and even in some cases regions of bone that have died (avascular necrosis or AVN). Dr. Lox views regenerative therapy as the future of musculoskeletal medicine.

When you can in some cases, heal bone that has become necrotic from ischemic changes such as in avascular necrosis (AVN), treating other knee problems seems simple.

     Treating patients who have not responded to knee meniscal surgery, or wish to avoid surgery, with Stem Cell Therapy is a viable option to discuss with Dr. Lox.

 

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

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Knee Pain: ACL, Meniscal Tears, and Collateral Ligament Injuries (The Terrible Triad)

Knee Pain: ACL, Meniscal Tears, and Collateral Ligament Injuries (The Terrible Triad)

triad

 Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

 

 

     The terrible triad as it is known. An injury the disrupts the ACL, medial meniscus, and medial collateral ligament. It can have a profound impact on many patients lives as well as athletic careers. Many professional athletes have suffered the career derailing event of the terrible triad injury. The ACL or anterior cruciate, maintains stability in a forward plane. The medial meniscus, absorbs shock and provides the knee cartilage it’s gliding surface. The medial collateral, provides stability against outward applied stress to the knee. Significant injuries, such as when a football player is tackled from an outward/ pushing inward and rearward force, can injury all three structures.

     Many patients have undergone long rehabilitation after surgery for these injuries. The repair of the anterior cruciate (ACL) is quite an ordeal in itself. Regenerative Medicine therapies such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Therapy, have been incorporated as alternatives to surgery or surgery adjunctive treatments. The use of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has seen a surge as many elite athletes have turned to it as a treatment modality for knee pain. Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward all have used PRP for their knees.

     Now, Stem Cell Therapy is being used for not only meniscal tears, but medial and lateral collateral tears, as well as ACL tears. Stem Cell Therapy, is now being used to treat more complicated problems than PRP only has been been considered. Investigation into heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and even spinal cord injury are underway for stem cell therapy. It is little wonder then, that stem cells have found it’s way to treating knees with complex problems.

 

 

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

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Elbow Pain: Golfers Elbow the role of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

 Elbow Pain: Golfers Elbow the role of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

golfel2

 

     Golfer elbow or medial epicondylitis, is a chronic tendonitis of the inside of the elbow (medial aspect). The medial epicondyle, is the insertion point for the wrist flexors. This group of muscles crosses the wrist with it’s origin on the elbow. The function of this muscle group is to flex or curl the wrist. Overuse and repetitive trauma result in chronic tendonitis or inflammation of these tendons. The common name is golfers elbow. Outside elbow pain that extends the wrist is known as lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow. At times the overuse is not microscopically seen as inflammation and is truly known as a tendonopathy. This is not an inflammatory process, but more akin to tendon collagen breakdown or disarray similar to scarring or a fibrous reaction in the tendon portion of the muscle. A certainly abnormal situation. Both tendonitis and tendonopathies may be resistant to conservative measures with medications, rest, and therapy.

  golf el   Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is being used more frequently to treat musculoskeletal injuries, after many elite athletes have turned to Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for treatment. PRP has been used successfully to treat both tennis elbow and golfers elbow. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a technique in which the patients own blood is spun in a centrifuge, and concentrated to deliver a enriched source of platelets. Platelets have long been known to participate in the clotting of blood. More recently, the understanding of the role of the growth factors released in the blood platelets have received more attention.

     The PRP may be directly injected into an area that is injured to create a healing response. This may be done in joints such as the hip or knee, as well as in muscle tendons. Commonly injected tendons are the Achilles, hamstring, and about the elbow. The lateral epicondyle is affected in tennis elbow, and the medial epicondyle is affected in golfers elbow. Recalcitrant elbow pain may be treated with PRP. The use of Platelet Rich Plasma has been reported in many conditions, and is generally well tolerated and may expedite healing. 

 

 

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

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WHEN CHRONIC KNEE PAIN ADDS UP TO OCHO

WHEN CHRONIC KNEE PAIN ADDS UP TO OCHO (8)

Rafael Nadal

 Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, FL

 

     Tennis star Rafael Nadal completed his comeback journey from a 7 month sabbatical due to persistent left knee pain, by winning his 8th French Open title. That is more slams than any other man in the open era. He also moved past legends Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg for 12 total slams.

     Nadal has been riddled with knee pain for years, and since after last years Wimbeldon. He has had knee pain in the past requiring Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and extensive therapy. Nadal gives great credit to his trainer. He has traveled seeking the advice of his orthopedic surgeon many times over the years, and is among several elite athletes who have had Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP for their knees. Nadal cancelled his first scheduled tournament after the French to seek advise from his doctors, before Wimbeldon begins.

     Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is a process in which the patents own blood is spun in a centrifuge concentrating the platelets to get the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), which has a rich source of growth factors for healing. PRP is a Regenerative Medicine therapy used by Dr. Lox to treat a variety of disorders.

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

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PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) IN AN ELITE ATHLETE WITH KNEE PAIN

PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP) IN AN ELITE ATHLETE WITH KNEE PAIN

woods

 Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

 

     Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) has seen a surge in popularity, as the result of prominent high profile athletes, such as Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, and Rafael Nadal have turned to Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for their knee pain.

     Recently Peyton Manning has made press for his Stem Cell Therapy. Other professional athletes have turned to PRP and Stem Cell Therapy for knee pain.

Dr. Dennis Lox has treated many elite athletes. Sports medicine example examples include, tennis, soccer, cycling, basketball, baseball, boxing, bodybuilding, strongman, triathlon, ironman, wrestling  and  a professional football player, with Stem Cell Therapy and PRP.

     All received autologous (their own) stem cells and PRP. Each athlete returned to their sport and continued to do well with increased activity. No athlete required surgery after the Stem Cell Therapy. All athletes were functioning at the top of their profession and pleased with their outcome, at 6 months,1 year, and 2 year followup. No adverse affects occurred. All athletes noted a diminished pain response, less knee swelling, and improved functional level. Satisfaction from the Stem Cell Therapy procedure and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) was rated very high, and if another procedure was ever needed the athletes rated it as definitely would recommend it. 

    Dr. Lox comments, What makes athletes respond to regenerative therapies such as PRP and Stem Cell Therapy?

It is more a question of what don’t athletes respond better to?

Athletes do not have the health consequences that their sedentary middle age TV junkies do. Therefore, accompanied often with their younger age., as do tend to heal faster. It is what it is. Call it a perk of living clean and adhering to Spartan principles. Athletes, generally do heal faster, and require less followup care, and yes sometimes are more cooperative…….sometimes. The motivation factor is definitely a positive factor.

  Dr. Lox has always ascribed to their are many ways to get to path……

A knowledge of eastern philosophy is well used in this arena.

Dr. Lox fully appreciates the glass is half full…..

Striving towards excellence with a positive attitude is always more effective than floundering with a bad attitude.

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TREATING A FAILED KNEE MENISCAL SURGERY WITH STEM CELLS

TREATING A FAILED KNEE MENISCAL SURGERY WITH STEM CELLS

meniscus

 Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

 

    Knee pain is tough. Having surgery to fix the knee pain only to not improve, or worse yet get worse, can be a nightmare. Stem cell Therapy for the treatment of failed knee meniscal surgery is becoming more common. Dr. Dennis Lox a Sports Medicine and Regenerative physician has treated many patients with failed knee meniscal surgery with Stem Cell Therapy. Dr. Lox advocates a thorough understanding of what is wrong with e knee. This can only be accomplished by taking the time to talk with the patient, evaluate prior studies (x-rays and MRI’s) as well as perform a complete physical examination. Another important point is to careful evaluate patients goals, expectations, sports needs, and provide a treatment plan. If Dr. Lox considers the patient a good candidate for Stem Cell Therapy, a decision on Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), post stem cell injection limitations and when to reimplement activity for the knee is made. Dr. Lox stresses post procedure rehabilitation, and specific sports goals are always kept in mind during treatment. A professional football player and soccer player, both who failed knee meniscus surgery improved with Stem Cell Therapy under Dr. Lox’s direction.

Regenerative Medicine therapies such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Therapy, are becoming more prominent in the care of elite athletes who need optimal knee function. The use of PRP and Stem Cell Therapy may be a consideration for those  who have had knee surgery and failed to improve.  

 

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

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AVASCULAR NECROSIS (AVN) OR OSTEONECROSIS OF THE HIP AND STEM CELL THERAPY

AVASCULAR NECROSIS (AVN) OR OSTEONECROSIS OF THE HIP AND STEM CELL THERAPY

 avn hip blog pic

     Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

Treatment of hip pain with avascular necrosis (AVN) or osteonecrosis, is complicated. Avascular necrosis (AVN) is also referred to as aseptic necrosis, ischemic necrosis or bone infarction. AVN occurs when the blood supply to the bone has been impaired. This renders the bone avascular (ischemic) and without oxygen and nutrients. The bone subsequently dies in the region without blood supply. In the hip, it is generally  a portion of the femoral head.

     Hip AVN may be bilateral (both hips involved,) or also involve the knee and hip. This is referred to sometimes as multifocal AVN.

     The portion of bone that dies becomes necrotic and may collapse. This may result in severe hip joint arthritis. Hip replacement has often been recommended for AVN. An alternative to hip replacement is STEM CELL THERAPY. The use of the patients own stem cells to augment natural healing of osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis has been utilized with success.

     A patient with hip AVN was treated with STEM CELL THERAPY, utilizing the patients own stem cells was performed by directly injecting the stem cells into the hip region where the ischemic necrosis was located. This can be easily done with fluoroscopic guidance as a simple same day office procedure.

    The patient was followed and over a 6 month period, there was x-ray and MRI confirmation of improvement in the region of avascular necrosis (AVN).  Over a 2 year period, no evidence of degenerative arthritis had occurred. The patient remained active in sports and considered the stem cell therapy procedure a success.

 

For more information see Avascular Necrosis of the Hip, AVN

                                         and Athletes with AVN

 

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

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Hip Arthritis: Can Stem Cells Help?

Hip Arthritis: Can Stem Cells Help?

Arthritis of the HIp

Arthritis of the HIp

 Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

 

Hip arthritis is a vague term. It is generally used for degenerative or osteoarthritis, and is thought to be progressive and irreversible. Regenerative Medicine procedures such as Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), are trying to reverse this paradigm.

Regenerative Medicine deals with repair and healing tissue. A subset of Regenerative Medicine is Tissue Engineering. Both aspects of the regenerative field have made amazing advances in recent years, seeing clinical trials initiated with stem cells in spinal cord injury, heart failure, and certain types of blindness.

     Hip arthritis, may be seen at many levels. Unfortunately, some patients do not present for treatment until the hip arthritis is advanced. As with many things, early treatment is generally better, but not always possible. Scientists are beginning to better understand osteoarthritis. It is not just simple wear and tear as once thought. It may have a genetic component, be influenced by inflammatory proteins or signal molecules (cytokines), and regulated by biomechanical forces (positively and negatively). Thus, with all the players involved with propagation of osteoarthritis, a simple anti-inflammatory medication will not fix the problem. Which research has shown it does not. Cortisone (corticosteroids) likewise, do not alter joint degeneration progression.

    Many patients are now looking to stay healthier, remain physically fit, and avoid hip replacement. Regenerative Medicine is the future and present. Stem Cell Therapy may be used with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) as a hip joint aid. These regenerative therapies have been used in patients with severe hip arthritic changes that for medical reasons could not have hip replacement surgery. Therefore, the stem cell treatment became an alternative to hip replacement surgery. The task for tissue and cartilage repair is easier in mild wearing or arthritis of the hip joint. Again, there are times when the ideal is not feasible, as patients do not always present for treatment when symptoms are mild or early. However, some difficult patients with significant arthritis, and even Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the hip have been treated successfully with Stem Cell Therapy and PRP. Avascular Necrosis (AVN) sometimes referred to osteonecrosis, is a portion of the bone has loss blood supply and becomes necrotic or dies. This is a more complex and difficult case to treat as generally there is accelerated wear or collapse surrounding the Avascular Necrosis (AVN) leading to an advanced secondary arthritis. Even the most difficult aspects of hip arthritis have seen stem cells applied for treatment. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Therapy, may be considered for treatment of hip arthritis, and as an alternative to hip joint replacement.

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

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Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the Knee in a Soccer Player

Avascular Necrosis (AVN) of the Knee in a Soccer Player

Sports Medicine Tampa Bay Fl

Sports Medicine Tampa Bay Fl

Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

 

 

 

     Avascular Necrosis (AVN) is difficult at best for most patients, for competitive athletes it may be career ending. Athletes with Avascular Necrosis (AVN) must have a stable joint that is not collapsing, and withstand the stress of athletic participation. The knee is under great stress in soccer. A concern with AVN is also secondary degenerative arthritis that results from decay of the necrotic region of the bone.

     A soccer player with Avascular Necrosis of the knee presented to Dr. Lox for Stem Cell Therapy. His presenting symptoms were pain, loss of complete motion, and inability to run. His goal was to avoid total knee joint replacement and return to playing soccer.

Stem Cell Therapy may be used in conjunction with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) to treat AVN. Case reports have reported success with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy alone, however from an experience and mechanistic standpoint, Dr. Lox feels that the use of PRP with Stem Cell Therapy offers inherent advantages that may be especially applicable to athletes desiring to repair, regenerate, and return to sports competition.

Having explained all scenarios, risks, benefits and expectations, treatment with regenerative therapy may be implemented. This case may not allow return to soccer due to the symptoms and radiographic findings.  The soccer player desired to proceed forward with Stem Cell Therapy and PRP. While pain relief may be an early indication of success, stability over time, and monitoring for knee joint arthritis are neccessary.

This is an example of a complex case of AVN, with more involvement than considered ideal, however the patients unique goals and desire to avoid knee joint replacement render Stem Cell Therapy a viable option.   

 

 

 

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

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Stem Cells for Joint Therapy, Safer than Knee Surgery?

Stem Cells for Joint Therapy, Safer than Knee Surgery?

 

Surgery Alternatives Clearwater, Fl

Surgery Alternatives Clearwater, Fl

Tampa, Saint Petersburg and Clearwater, Fl

 

 

Stem Cell Therapy for joint pain, inflammation, injury, and repair has been involved in multiple clinical trials worldwide. In the United States trials for knee arthritis and back pain with degenerative disc disease have undergone safety trials and phase studies for effectiveness. The safety profile for stem cell therapy in joints has been proven. Adverse effects are not seen as related to the stem cells. These studies were conducted with Allogenic (other people’s) stem cells. Naturally if using your own stem cells, which is permitted in the United States for join therapy, the issues which may be raised from someone else’s stem cells is not a concern, and are therefore even safer. There are no immune rejection issues or communicable diseases that can be obtained by using your own cells.

     Stem Cell Therapy for joints also do not carry surgical risks such as anesthesia, their is no greater risk for other postoperative complications such as, blood clots, infections, or need for revision surgery if it is unsuccessful. Surgery for joint replacement does carry risks some are significant as this is a highly invasive surgery. Joint replacement surgery consent forms do include the complication of death. Though rare, it has occurred. Stem Cell Therapy for joints is no more difficult than injecting cortisone into the knee. There is preparation involved to get to that point, however the actual placement of the stem cells into a joint like the knee, is the same difficulty and minimal risk of adverse events just like getting a cortisone injection into the knee.

     Stem Cell Therapy for joint repair has been used for acute and chronic injuries, knee meniscal tears, loss of knee joint cartilage, and to stop the progression of degenerative arthritis. This latter effect is becoming a more common alternative to joint replacement. Stem Cell Therapy is a frequently requested alternative to knee joint replacement.

Some patients may have already had one knee joint replaced with a bad outcome and wish to avoid a second knee replacement. Others may not be healthy enough with additional medical disorders that they cannot have the knee replacement and therefore the regenerative procedure is an attractive conservative option in these cases. Patients who are not medically suited for joint or knee replacement are generally good candidates for Stem Cell Therapy. The pursuit of conservative options in patients who wish to avoid surgery for joint disorders, may find Stem Cell Therapy as an attractive alternative.

 

 

Dr. Dennis Lox serves patients in the greater Tampa Bay area, including, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, New Port Richey, Sarasota, Orlando and Spring Hill. He has been pleased to accommodate the needs of patients throughout Florida, the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and Europe, as well. Located in the 33765 and 33765 areas, our offices can be reached at (727) 462-5582 (Clearwater) and (727) 817-1909 (New Port Richey). Call to schedule your visit today.

 

 

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