Hello: I was wondering about stem cell therapy for shoulders. Has anyone ever undergone this therapy for shoulders? My mom is bone on bone and at 87, does not want to undergo replacement surgery. Thank you

Could you please let me know if you had any success with your shoulders? Thanks

Would stem cell therapy work for complicated spinal stenosis? My 65yo brother lives in FLA. Over the past 10 yrs or so has had many surgeries (about 4), had metal inserted, contracted Mercer, had to have metal removed. Told it cannot be re-inserted bc of the Mercer (which was treated and is gone). Now suffers from much pain, apprehensive but taking addictive medication and can't walk w/o assistance. Seems he has gone through all the surgeries, pain, rehab, etc. over and over gain for nothing – as is back to step one. Wondering if stem cell would help?

I had an AmnioFix injection today it was $630. Has anyone else had the type of stem cell injection and what was the result? I have had a few knee surgeries and have very severe osteoarthritis. Dr said even though I’m young for a knee replacement he was willing to do it, it’s that bad but I wanted to try this first.

I am on a Mayo Clinical Trial waiting list for Adipose stem cell therapy for my knees. Over 200 on the list. Hope I can wait that long!!!! Absolutely don't want my knees replaced via traditional surgery.

to Bushy, are you Bone on bone? I was and stem cells in US did nothing for knee.

I had AmnioFix shots in both knees at $1,500 each about a month ago and do not feel any difference. Next may be either stem cell or PRP. I really don't want knee surgery. I'm 69 and in great shape and very active and still working.

Thank you for sharing your information.
I am also having knee and other issues but have not found any evidence of success with Stem Cell or PRP. Have you? If so please direct me to the information because I have also been very active but have changed my way of life because of ortho issues.
Thanks for any info. you can provide.
Fred

Good morning
I am currently recovering from cervical and lumbar surgery.
I had issues with my knees for years. Two years ago I began a weight loss journey. When I lost about 20pounds my knees stopped hurting altogether.
For some reason, they began to give me pain after my cervical spine surgery.
I recently went to an orthopaedic surgeon. He couldn't do anything for me now because I can't have steroids during the healing process of the surgeries. He suggested I go to a pain doc.
It was suggested I have an ablation. In order to have it, I was to have 2 tests to make sure he could find the nerve.
He found what we think is the nerve
What should have given me approximately 4 hours of relief gave me almost double. When we returned for what was to be a 2nd test, wound up being a consult.
I reminded him about no steroids. We also discussed PRP and stem cells. He basically explained the process and cost. All sounded good.
On the way home, my hubby and I discussed our visit. He was not happy with the doc. He said the doctor started to back peddle.
Last week, I had a regular PCP visit. We talked about my knee. He suggested I go to a sports medicine physician. We did. Although I have osteoarthritis, I also have a meniscus tear. I had one years ago that was repaired.
The doc ordered an MRI to see exactly what is going on. I haven't done that yet but I expect it done this week. We did talk about PRP. He said about 70% of his patients have had success. He did thousands of them that started during his fellowship.
My hubby is very suspect of the treatment. So, as it stands now, before the MRI … do nothing, PRP or ablation. I did some research about the ablation and found out that the medication used in the tests and treatment have corticosteroids. I can't get it done because of it. The pain doc should never have done the tests.
I am going to do the MRI and see what it shows. I know any of these procedures are stop gaps until Ican get my knee replaced. All these procedures require some sort of steroid.
I am in a hold pattern. Now we wonder if the tear could be the current culprit.
More to come…..
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

So great that you lost weight to get some relief – I have seen obese people ortho Dr. office – I think, WHY NOT LOSE WEIGHT FIRST. MY DR. in USC was the first one to tell me to Lose Weight to help my knee. He is Dr. C. Thomas Vangsness – wrote “The New Science of Overcoming Arthritis”. He is recognized as a world leader in stem cell research.

I appreciate the fact that weight loss improves your pain factor. Some of us need to be able to work out to maintain a healthy weight-so its kinda vicious circle.

@mari
Sadly, losing weight is not that easy. I for one needed weight loss surgery. I tried for years to lose it myself without success. How many of us gain so much weight that our health (and life) are put in danger because of the high weight?
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

I am on a waiting list for a clinical study on stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis of the knees at Mayo. Check out NIH clinical trials website.

Has the Mayo started this process. What does it intail?

Hello @jimmiejoe. I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Cost of stem cell therapy at Mayo." I did this so the members already discussing stem cell treatment at Mayo Clinic would see your message. Here is a bit more information on regenerative medicine at Mayo Clinic, http://mayocl.in/1Ag7duN. On the page that is linked, there is a consult service number that you may call if you have specific questions. The consult service will provide you with much more detail on the services that are offered at Mayo Clinic and if you potentially qualify. Here is what you can expect if you choose to call:

– An employee will answer and ask the nature of why you are calling
– Say you are interested to stem cells for osteoarthritis or whichever joint ails you
– The employee will funnel your call to the appropriate coordinators from there
– For joint issues, you will be transferred to PMR (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)
– Appointment coordinators will ask more specific questions (inclusion and exclusion criteria)

If you meet the criteria:
– You will be asked to send in your records and a doctor will look at it in a case-by-case basis

Important Notes to be Aware of:
– PMR is a busy practice, so wait times may exist but answers will be given
– If a treatment exists in the clinic for a diagnosis (i.e. Leukemia) stem cells are not offered
– Price is out of pocket

Types of stem cell treatments offered are Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) injections and Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections. You can find more specific information on these types of injections here, http://mayocl.in/2AUIoAn.

@jimmiejoe, if you are comfortable sharing, what sort of injuries are you dealing with with your knee?