[IndianaJones]

First, if these “stem cell therapies” actually worked, don’t you think they would be in widespread use at all major medical centers? Well they’re not. Second, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) does have value as an anti-inflammatory (it works for some well, not so much for others depend on the immune response), it won’t help bone-on-bone issues. You may experience some temporary reduction in pain level but you’re not going to regenerate a new knee, shoulder, etc. Third, these treatments are NOT approved by the FDA and Medicare will not pay for them. Fourth, there are class-action lawsuits against the company - do an Internet search, you’ll find them. I’ve spoken to some folks who were treated there - the only long-term results they got were lighter wallets (treatments can run $1,000-$6,000+). Caveat emptor, as they say!

[Marmaduke]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Agree.

Don't know how they do it over there, but here the annoying thing (may vary from insurance company to insurance company; I don't know) is that even if you know that surgery is the only real cure, the insurance makes you jump through some ridiculous hoops first. In my case it was (A) orthoscopic surgery to clean out some bits of grit that showed up on the x-ray, followed by (B) series of cortisone shots. Neither provided anything more than maybe a few weeks of relief. My surgeon was pretty frank about it: both treatments were nothing more than band-aids and knee replacement surgery was inevitable, but the insurance wouldn't pay unless I went through with them and they were documented not to work. I made a comment to my surgeon that the insurance company was probably hoping I'd die in the meantime, and he just laughed, but I'm not so sure I was totally wrong on that. I was in my upper 60's when I had the surgery.

The upshot was that I wasted nearly two years hobbling around on a bum knee before I finally had the surgery. Knee has been great for six years now: stands up to some pretty rigorous tennis a couple of times a week, and a six-mile walk on the other days.

Interesting! Just yesterday, we were talking about the differences btw Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans.

My husband just had knee replacement surgery. The Dr. met with us and we immediately scheduled it. We certainly did a lot of research 1st, but no co-pay, no waste of time.
P.T. after and it's all good. What a Blessing to have a serious surgery go so smoothly.

[Santiagogirl]

You need to keep in mind that treatments using biological materials like stem cells are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that drugs are. It's a bit like the Wild West, in terms of standardizing treatment protocols or establishing effectiveness. I've talked to some people that reported wonderful results with this type of treatment, & others who had no effect or felt worse. The only thing I know about this company is that they have good marketing.

[tophcfa]

Thanks for all the feedback, seeing the shoulder guy tomorrow and the hip guy Thursday, both surgeons from the same practice that did a great job on my right knee 13 years ago. Hopefully I can have both done within a couple weeks so I can keep the recovery/downtime to a minimum. The good news is that I’m told the hip is a picnic in the park compared to the knee, and the shoulder appears to be only grinding away bone spurs, no soft tissue repair necessary. Our daughter asked me what it’s like getting old, and the best answer I could give her is that you have to learn how to live in pain. Every day when you wake up, you wonder what part of the body is going to hurt the most today. Keep on moving : )

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Santiagogirl

You need to keep in mind that treatments using biological materials like stem cells are not regulated by the FDA in the same way that drugs are. It's a bit like the Wild West, in terms of standardizing treatment protocols or establishing effectiveness. I've talked to some people that reported wonderful results with this type of treatment, & others who had no effect or felt worse. The only thing I know about this company is that they have good marketing.

Some people will report wonderful results with any treatment for any illness. That is how companies make millions selling worthless products using only testimonials from satisfied customers. Personally, I think the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), who are supposed to police deceptive advertising, could do a better job of regulating advertising for medical treatments and dietary supplements.

[roguesearcher]

Yup

[dlspiess]

First off no insurance will pay for the procedure. We have a plan that covers alternative treatment and they wouldn’t cover it. My husband went through the process and received minimal relief. I thinks it’s just and ache and pain relief program. The only good thing is they will repeat the process over and over again. It will not repair a tear. They don’t even do any x-ray to see if it is something they can help. My husband finally went to an athletic orthopedic surgeon and had a scope done to remove a floating object and a bone spur. He has more relief but as previously stated, there is no help for bone on bone. He will eventually need the shoulder replacement. I feel it was a waste of money. Save your money and go see a sports orthopedic surgeon