My first Stem Cell Treament...

[ColleenyM]

I just had my first Stem cell treatment, yesterday.  I am sore...very sore.  The procedure was done with lidocaine injections to help numb the areas of injection and where they aspirated the bone marrow, and fat.  Needless to say, this does not numb the bone, when getting the marrow draw done.  It hurts, I won't tell a lie.  It is painful, and a very odd sensation, like being punctured through the bone, which is what they are doing to get to the marrow. 

So, I had 50cc of marrow drawn, 45cc of blood taken, and probably about 10cc of fat (not completely sure on this amount, but it was around a tablespoon or two?)  I could be off on the measurements, but I think is was around that.  All of this was filtered, and spun through a centrifuge, each separately.  Then the Dr. injected them into my hip joint, along with some thrombin to help activate everything. 

Just a little history on me.  I have a full thickness 6mm X 10mm hole in my articular hip cartilage.  I've had two PRP incjections (platelet rich plasma), which have helped to some degree, but where not doing the trick fully.  So, with my Dr. we have gone to the stem cells.  So, I am hopefull.  He has seen full hip replacement candidates make a recovery to the point of not needing a replacement anymore.  He's had patients will blown out knees, who could not do anything, back to excersizing weeks after one stem cell treatment!

So, if you want to avoid surgery, this is the best option, in my opinion.  Dr. Brian Shiple, in Springfield, PA is my doctor, in case anyone is looking for a well trained Dr. in this area.

I will post to let everyone know how it works out, and my improvements:)

[Scooter72]

Colleen, I am looking forward to hearing your experience!  You have my sympathies concerning the pain and soreness, however, it's worth enduring for the long erm benefits. 

I myself am awaiting a consult with Dr. Centeno.  Hopefully, he can provide me with some good options, because like you, the last thing I want is (for me, another) surgery.

-Scott

[ColleenyM]

  Thanks, Scott.  I hope that you get some relief soon, as well!  Today is the fourth day out from my procedure, and I am still hobbling around on crutches, still quite sore.  But, it seems as though I am a little less stiff than before.  I feel like today I am getting out from under the large part of the pain.  My low back is swollen from the marrow draw, and my hip just throbs every once in a while, and VERY stiff.  Ugh...but it will definately be worth it, if this keeps me from a hip replacement at fifty:)

[men-at-arms]

I see that this is a hip treatment and not knee treatment, but I'm curious as to your total cost as it seems to me other board members would also like to collect cost info. for stem cell treatments currently available. Thanks~! And hope you improve quickly and the MSC injections work to regenerate.

[ashok_guru]

Hi Colleen,

Please keep updating your progress, am looking forward to hear your experience.
I hope you are doing and recovering good.

Am also planning to have this stem cell treatment from Dr.Centeno.

Thanks
Ashok

[Scooter72]

Hi Colleeny! Please provide an update; how are you feeling? Thanks!

[crumpet]

Hey Colleen!!!!!


How's the hip?  Any good news yet.  Hope your feeling better.... you brave woman you!

~Crumpet

[Jules2424]

I just had my first Stem cell treatment, yesterday.  So, I had 50cc of marrow drawn, 45cc of blood taken, and probably about 10cc of fat (not completely sure on this amount, but it was around a tablespoon or two?)  I could be off on the measurements, but I think is was around that.  All of this was filtered, and spun through a centrifuge, each separately.  Then the Dr. injected them into my hip joint, along with some thrombin to help activate everything.  So, if you want to avoid surgery, this is the best option, in my opinion.  Dr. Brian Shiple, in Springfield, PA is my doctor, in case anyone is looking for a well trained Dr. in this area. I will post to let everyone know how it works out, and my improvements:)

Hi Colleen,  thanks so much for the update on your stem cell treatment.  And,YES, please let us know how it's going for you.  PA is too far for me as I live in So. Calif. So I'm thinking of Regenexx in CO.  I don't know if Dr. Centeno uses thrombin. Do you or anyone know if thrombin comes from your own body?  I have a lot of allergies to medications & want everything natural from my own body. I applaud your decision to go the stem cell route. I just viewed an arthroscopy on YouTube & and OUCH! It looked sooo painful.  The last thing I want is surgery. Sending you healing thoughts & please let us know how you're feeling.   
Jules
Grade 3 tear posterior horn of Medial Meniscus (2 yrs ago--waiting new MRI report)   

[velcro100]

  Thank you so much for sharing your experience. My dox have been telling me that I need a hip replacement because of "bone on bone".  I have been looking into the Regenexx procedure. Since your procedure was done over a month ago, how are you doing today? I live in So. California and would have to fly to Denver, but I am so determined to avoid surgery. How is your pain level today? Do you have to have a second treatment? Thank you for posting again.

[crumpet]

Coleen:

Keep us posted... sounds very exciting.  Did the mini lipo hurt?

~crumpet

[ColleenyM]

Sorry, I have not posted on here for quite some time!   But, I wanted to say, that the stem cells DID help me through the summer of 2011.  I had the stem cell treatment, and 4 weeks later I had a PRP injection to promote more cartilage growth.  I did not start to see results until 3 months after the stem cells were injected.  At that point, I found that I could walk perfectly fine, with no limp.  I was estatic!  I was able to attend a wine fest, walking all over the place, without trouble, up and down rocky footed paths, etc.  I was able to go to the beach, and walk around the boardwalk for some time.  Its amazing how good my right hip (my treated hip) felt.  Unfortunately, my left hip is similar and was hurting me, so that held me back to some degree.  I was not able to run, nor did I try.

Fast forward, to fall of this year, 2011, just months from my fun summer trip, etc.  I began having that same catching pain again.  So, I ended up with surgery to correct my hip abnormality.  The problem with me, is that my femur (the head of the joint....the ball part of the joint) was not shaped correctly.  I ended up tearing about half of my labrum off the hip capsule. I did not know this prior to surgery, as it never showed up on the contrast dye MRI (Arthrogram).  So, the Dr. had to anchor it back on, and he also shaved down the deformity on the femoral head, so as to keep it from catching the labrum again, and grinding away all of cartilage.  I know this is not your normal lingo, as far as medical terms, because it is hip related, not knee related.  So, I applogize!  But, there are not many placed to discuss stem cells on a flourishing forum such as this.

Anyhow, I found out that my cartilage is missing by about 20-25% and there is full thickness loss that is too large for microfracture.


I am currently 4 weeks post op, and still on crutches.  I will likely try the stem cells again, now that my hip is shaped better for long term results. 

The cost of this stem cell procedure was $2,700.00 if my memory serves me correctly.

[ColleenyM]

Coleen:

Keep us posted... sounds very exciting.  Did the mini lipo hurt?

~crumpet

Actually, it did not really hurt, but rather it felt like a very slight burning sensation.  Not bad, really.  The marrow draw was the worst part.  After that, the rest was cake.

[ColleenyM]

I see that this is a hip treatment and not knee treatment, but I'm curious as to your total cost as it seems to me other board members would also like to collect cost info. for stem cell treatments currently available. Thanks~! And hope you improve quickly and the MSC injections work to regenerate.

The cost was reasonable for this type of procedure, coming in at $2,700.00 if my memory is correct!  But, it may be slightly higher by now.