Tennis Player with Shoulder and Knee Arthritis Opts For Stem Cell Therapy
Personalized Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy
Often, Dr. Lox meets interesting patients. Having a Sports and Regenerative Medicine practice, Dr. Lox has seen many Tennis players, as well as patients seeking stem cell therapy treatment for knee and shoulder pain and arthritis. The advantage of being a boutique practice that caters to personalized medicine is spending more time with each patient. That is an advantage to both the patient, and necessary for an expert physician to do a thorough assessment for each and every patient. There is no cookie-cutter template for each individual patient. There can’t be. Every patient is unique and has their own personal medical history and life story pertinent to their treatment plan. It also can be very interesting as so many people have unique stories both from a medical perspective and as human beings. Their personal story often is very important for understanding their medical history, their unique goals, aspirations, and treatment expectations.
Tennis Players are not all the Same
Dr. Lox has seen Tennis players with all types of injuries. Knee pain is common, especially in the older age group as stop and start running in tennis is particularly stressful on the knees. Shoulder pain in the dominant serving arm is a common problem as well. However, non-dominant arm shoulder pain can be seen as well. Elbow pain is common however, not all elbow pain is the classic tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis. The inside aspect of the elbow often referred to as golfers elbow, can be seen in any sport, including tennis. There is not always an easy answer or explanation for pain and sports medicine problems. One thing is for sure if it affects their Tennis game, it is important to them. Dr. Lox is an expert in Sports and Regenerative Medicine. Many such tennis players are looking for alternatives to surgery and keep playing their game. Students of Tennis history need only look at professional Tennis great Rafael Nadal, as an example of an elite Tennis star who turned to Stem Cell Therapy as an alternative to knee surgery to get back to the top sport. Indeed Nadal had knee stem cell therapy in 2012, and returned to World Number 1 the following year, pretty good results for a super competitive and knee intense sport.
Why All Tennis Players are Different, A Shoulder and Knee Arthritis Story
This particular patient was about to become a professional Tennis player at age 20. He had played against several future legends of the sport. Unfortunately, accidents happen. He was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The resulting trauma broke his dominant right arm and resulted in significant shoulder and knee injuries, as well as nerve injury, which affected his strength and coordination of his dominant arm.
Multiple surgeries ensued. Recovery was long. He, unfortunately, did not get to become a professional Tennis player.
Time has a way of extending recovery with multiple injuries and surgeries. He had 2 shoulder arthroscopic surgeries for rotator cuff tears and glenoid labral tears. He also had knee meniscal arthroscopic surgery.
He started a successful company, and time marched on. He is now 50 years old. His nerve injury resolved. His shoulder and knee pain never completely resolved, it now has grown more uncomfortable, and he was told he has knee and shoulder arthritis, and someday would need a knee replacement surgery, as well as a shoulder replacement surgery. Neither surgery was appealing to him. He has a daughter and would like to get better and play a little tennis with her. A worthy and understandable aspiration and goal.
He came to Dr. Lox on the advice of a friend and wanted Dr. Lox’s help to achieve his goal, and avoid future knee and shoulder replacement surgery.
Time can be Knee and Shoulder Joint Unfriendly
He was now 50 years old, not 20 anymore. Trauma and surgery accelerates degenerative arthritis. Degenerative arthritis is progressive in nature. 30 years after trauma and multiple surgeries, are a recipe for knee and shoulder problems. It is predictable, just like in this case. Another problem frequently encountered after many years and decades is weight gain. Most Americans gain 10 pounds per decade. He, unfortunately, gained 40 pounds in the last 6 months. Weight gain compounds extremity arthritis. Fortunately, those who experience recent weight gain are more likely and ready to take the weight back off, than those who have longstanding weight issues. An experienced Sports and Regenerative Medicine expert, such as Dr. Lox readily understands the issues, and why personalized medicine is so important in providing the proper Regenerative Medicine treatment. It also allows the compassionate physician to listen and take the necessary time to understand the patient’s unique story. It also enriches one with more humanity and often allows for greater interaction with the patient. Everyone has a unique story and often they are worth getting to know. Helping them to achieve their goals is an honor and privilege of successful treatment. After all helping people is what it is all about.
