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mainly when I play golf, in my left shoulder (I’m rightie) at and after impact. Pain is mildly sharp, but not like a stabbing pain or anything like that. I can “crack” my shoulder afterwards and feels a little better for a few more shots, then comes back. I don’t know what type of surgery this might replace, but he says he can see what’s wrong with this procedure better than an MRI.
My right knee needs to be replaced soon, well now but... My orthopedist has been trying every thing to stall until the stem cell for knees is more cost effective. As I’m young-ish (45) replacement is a ####ty option. We’ve discussed stem cell a lot the past 5yrs as an option and he’s a big fan. He was the lead Ortho for the Chargers for a long time and was (is still?) the lead Dr for motocross. I know most of this doesn’t help you but I say it merely to let you know that another very reputable doctor is a fan.
this was my initial reaction too. but reading and asking around has me reconsidering it. thanks for the reply.
I certainly don’t know the situation but if stem cell straight out the box was a suggestion I agree with you that this seems to be jumping the gun. In my situation it’s like step five of things we’ve tried. And from my understanding that’s a normal progression.
I haven’t tried anything yet. Pain only began 3 or 4 months ago. Been managing it via Advil and a cocktail or two during the round. This is the first time I sought treatment.
if you have your acromion jabbing your cuff, nothing will help that except for a shave imo. why not start with a shot or even a guided shot? if you have a tear, i don’t think cells will solve this.
Yeah that’s interesting. As I said in my other reply that seems to be jumping over a lot of steps. I’m no doctor but I’ve spent way too much time with my orthopedist over last 10 years, that and I slept at a Holiday Inn express last night so I’m pretty much an expert.
For sure. For a brevity of a post I didn’t wanna go into all the details about me but yes my surgeon said to say same thing, besides cost there’s still some progress that needs to be made specifically with knees. My age is one factor but the truth is my left knee isn’t far behind and as you know having just done it once you start down the replacement path you’re on that path forever. Even at 20 years with both my knees that signs me up for 4 replacements at minimum and if I live into my 80s it’s six. Trying to avoid that scenario at all cost and if I could gimp around for a few more years to get to the point where stem cell makes sense that seems like a much more practical option.
My aunt did bilaterals with my doc at 72. Harder PT, but if you have help at home and you want to get it over with, most just do both. One was hard, but my aunt is 10 years out doing well happy to not having gone through the grind twice. My right one isn't bad and it may never become bad despite the arthritis. It felt just as bad as my left because it was working hard to compensate. No one can tell for sure how long before a revision is needed. It could be 30 years, it could be a year. A lot depends on your body and the activities you do. Hobbies like swimming and biking are much better than running, jumping sports.
The data is limited and poor quality, and it definitely isn't 1st line treatment. I wouldn't do it, and I question the orthopedist's motivation for the recommendation.
I don’t believe he’s doing any research.
These have been around since at least the 90s. It's come a long way with the least invasive techniques many use to implants. I remember scheduling a lot of revision surgeries for the metal on metal implants. We've gone from 2 to 4 days or longer in the hospital to, at least with my surgeon, outpatient hip replacement surgery and partial knee replacements, and many qualify for outpatient single knee replacements. Cutting edge stuff I've witnessed over my many years working for Sah and Dearborn who are both directors of The Institute For Joint Restoration and Research here in the Bay Area. Hence my huge interest in what could be coming.
Yeah, there are wide applications outside of cartilage.