Posted 3/29/2017 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
While this posting does not pertain to borrelia treatment, it does pertain to borrelia recovery and repair.
Background: 67 yo wm, former runner/cyclist. After tearing the meniscus in both knees, my running and most of my cycling ended. I don't subscribe to surgery unless absolutely necessary (I believe that originally installed parts are superior to repairs or replacements) so I did not have arthroscopic meniscusectomy until 5 years/6 years ago. After the micro surgery the pain from the tears was less, but the knees were loose, co-ordination and foot placement were less precise and pressure sensitivity from kneeling was greatly increased.
In early November 2015 my wife received a stem cell injection to treat a partially torn rotator cuff bursa from a clinic in Newport News, VA. Surgery was a poor option, the injection provided pain relief and full range of motion within 3 weeks, surgery would have required 12 months of recovery and physical therapy. I was impressed! She was not a candidate for successful stem cell therapy for her knees, one was replaced three weeks later at Duke University Hospital.
While accompanying her to a follow-up for her knee surgery I discovered that the same clinic -Duke University Sports Orthopaedic - also does stem cell therapy! They do not advertise, most physicians within the DUH system are unaware that it is done there. It is described as experimental only, non FDA approved. I subsequently went in for a consult, was found to be a good candidate and had adipose tissue (fat) harvested from my hip, added to platelet rich plasma from an arm draw then injected into both knees. This was in January 2016, four months after a tick infected me (see signature.) I did well with it; both knees tightened up, balance improved, little discomfort from kneeling.
One of the effects of the injections and the consequent growth of new tissue are growing pains and the changes of knee functions due to the addition of new cartilage. BIG improvements. Then borrelia found the new tissue. Borrelia pains are different from growing pains. Along with the pains came the return of loose joints and pressure sensitivity.
I also have (had) an arthritic right wrist and thumb. Borrelia found those to be quite tasty as well. Japanese knotweed helped the pain but not the looseness. My DO would not treat my thumb/wrist until treatments for borrelia & co were stopped. I reached a pause in February, new stem cells w/prp were injected in both knees, wrist and thumb in early March. Growth pains have returned, knees are tightening up, wrist pains have diminished. I am not exerting any of the treated joints for another 3 weeks. Things are definitely improving!
***THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!!***
NOT all stem cell therapies are equal! Stem cell therapy has been around for many years - it is the essence of bone marrow transplant without first destroying the immune system. It is individual location targeted. There are many companies selling non-viable, frozen material that may or may not actually be stem cells. There is NO FDA authorization and most insurance companies will not pay for it. Pricing is all over the map. It is being sold as a miracle treatment -which it is - but by unscrupulous as well as authentic doctors. If you wish for relief from arthritic joints that are not too deteriorated. then this is a viable option. BUT DO YOUR HOMEWORK!.
I paid $2500 each time. Even then it is less out of pocket than for 1 knee replacement and I got both knees and my wrist/thumb treated. Plus no physical therapy, little discomfort and no risk of surgical infection. Ironically, I went to the conventional ortho side of Duke Sports Ortho (literally, the other side of the building) for a first consult of my wrist. When I inquired about stem cell therapy (after having my knees injected) the response was they they don't do that "black magic voodoo stuff", their words!
So, many conventional orthopedic surgeons are skeptics and considering the amount of snake oil being sold, I understand it. If the dr/do doesn't draw the stem cells from your adipose tissue or bone marrow, be very thorough in your questioning. What they have MAY work, but if it doesn't, you have no recourse. CAVEAT EMPTOR. Other clinics are testing the efficacy of stem cell therapies for ms, copd, diabetes, Parkinson's, and nerve regeneration. It can be a miracle. It is also the basis for scams.