The Daily Prolonews – Meniscal Treatment – April 6, 2012
Knee Surgery vs. Prolotherapy
THE REDZONE OF THE MENISCUS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART TO PRESERVE DURING ARTHROSCOPY BUT PROLOTHERAPY IS A BETTER OPTION!
Although I write about the negative aspects of arthroscopy, trust me if I had a complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear I would have it arthroscopically repaired. I guess my main criticism with arthroscopy is the fact that most folks going in for arthroscopy have the notion that the doctor is going to make the joint “healthier.” In reality, however, almost every study has shown “clean out” arthroscopy doesn’t help or in many instances sets the stage for osteoarthritis (OA) to develop.
Stem Cell Therapy for a Torn Meniscus
The meniscus is essential to knee function. There are two menisci in each knee, lining the inner surface and absorbing the shock in between the upper and lower leg bones. A torn meniscus is a common sports injury and source of chronic pain. The standard therapy for a torn meniscus is a partial or total meniscectomy – in other words they take some or the entire meniscus out. But as we already stated, the meniscus acts as a shock absorber in the knee. It also provides stabilization. So removing a torn meniscus removes shock absorption and stability. The results are instability in the knee, extra force on the cartilage of the knee, and inevitable degeneration of cartilage leading to osteoarthritis of the knee. Clearly a meniscectomy is not the answer to a torn meniscus.
Autoimmune Diseases and Prolotherapy
Autoimmune Diseases and Prolotherapy
In this article Ross Hauser, M.D. discusses the autoimmune disorders most likely to prevent Prolotherapy from attaining full healing.
The only diseases that cause inflammation for which Prolotherapy may not be appropriate is the autoimmune diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosis. Remember, however, that anyone with these conditions is much more likely than the average person to have poor healing, and thus, ligament and tendon injury and chronic pain. If someone with these conditions has a normal or almost normal ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which shows that the amount of inflammation is under control, then Prolotherapy is appropriate. This is assuming that the pain can be reproduced by palpation over a ligament or tendon on physical examination.
Prolotherapy information for patients can be found at Prolotherapy.org. Need to find a Prolotherapy doctor? Have more Prolotherapy questions?
Low back pain treatment
Low back pain injections
Ross Hauser, MD demonstrates Hackett-Hemwall dextrose Prolotherapy to the low back. This is a more comprehensive approach to get permanent back pain relief and is an alternative to spinal fusion, laminectomy, chronic chiropractic adjustments or unsuccessful physical therapy exercises. In our clinic, we treat nearly every type of back pain including sports injury or arthritis related.
Prolotherapy information for patients can be found at Prolotherapy.org. Need to find a Prolotherapy doctor? Have more Prolotherapy questions?
Prolozone®
Few doctors in the United States have treated as many patients with Ozone therapy as Ross Hauser, M.D., of Oak Park Illionis. But does he use Ozone in Prolotherapy?
Read what Dr. Hauser has to say:
I learned Ozone therapy from the then-president of the German Ozone Society (main organization utilizing ozone therapy at the time), Gerd Wasser, M.D. Besides teaching me major autohemotherapy, direct ozone gas insufflations, he taught me to inject ozone therapy into joints. I myself received Ozone therapy into my knee joint to try it and have utilized it on some of my patients.
Most folks know that I was taught Prolotherapy by Gustav Hemwall, M.D., the then (early 90’s) most experienced (or one of the most experienced) Prolotherapy doctors in the world. As such, I had and continue to have remarkable results with Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy. Some of the remarkable results we have published in scientific papers that are available the Prolotherapy research site at http://www.journalofprolotherapy.com. As I was able to compare my own personal experience with Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy to Prolozone, I chose Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy. This does not mean that Prolozone does not work. I respect the doctors who use it and look forward to seeing their results published using this technique, as myself and others using Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy have done.
I would like to make one more remark. What I try to do with Prolotherapy is simulate the mechanisms in which the body heals itself. When a person injures soft tissue like ligaments, sugar is released from inside the cells and fat is released as cell membranes are broken (during the trauma or injury). These simple substances then trigger the immune system to increase growth factors at the wound site. The solutions that are utilized with Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy, such as dextrose, are not only safe, but when properly administered do a great job. They simulate the mechanisms of how the body heals itself. To make solutions stronger, additives such as cod liver extracts, human growth hormone, and platelet rich plasma again simulate what normally occurs in the human body with healing an injury. So from an efficacy standpoint, as well as a safety standpoint, Hackett-Hemwall Prolotherapy has stood the test of time. I have been utilizing it in some 11,000 plus patients for over 16 years and have probably given 20 million Prolotherapy injections. One year we actually monitored these numbers and I had provided about 3000 patient treatments and gave over 2.4 million injections in one year, so I feel completely confident with and can highly recommend the Hackett-Hemwall technique of Prolotherapy for potential patients, as well as for physicians desiring to learn the technique to help their patients.
Prolotherapy information for patients can be found at Prolotherapy.org. Need to find a Prolotherapy doctor? Have more Prolotherapy questions?
Arthroscopy vs. Prolotherapy
A 2002 study perfromed by The Baylor College of Medicine examined the effectiveness of treating knee pain with arthroscopic surgery. Patients were randomly assigned a surgery, and were not told which one they would receive. The three surgeries were arthroscopic debridement, arthroscopic lavage, and placebo. Arthroscopic debridement surgery involved removal of the degenerated cartilage. Arthroscopic lavage involves surgically washing out the joint of old blood, fluid, or loose particles. The placebo surgery performed included an incision and a simulated debridement without the insertion of the arthroscope.
The authors of the study found that the patients who received the legitimate surgeries did not report less pain or better function than the patients who received the placebo surgery. This led them to conclude that the outcomes after arthroscopic lavage or arthroscopic debridement are not better than the outcome from the placebo procedure – and this was back in 2002!
In 2008, the Center for Medical Consumers published a report that stated that arthroscopic surgery had been proven to have no more benefit for patients than conservative treatments. Their article states that this has been long proven, dating back to 2002. Another study mentioned stated that “Arthroscopic lavage and debridement do not alter disease progression, and should not be used as a routine treatment for the osteoarthritic knee. Even the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, in their suggestions about treating osteoarthritis (AAOS 2008), does not recommend arthroscopic lavage or debridement for the treatment of knee pain or OA.
Arthroscopy found to be ineffective
Simply put, arthroscopic surgery for knee pain has as little an effect as physical therapy. Meaning, it provides temporary relief, but after a little while, the pain returns.
Alternative to surgery
At Caring Medical, we perform a treatment called Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy is an injection with a dextrose solution as the base. The dextrose acts as an irritant that when injected stimulates a mild inflammatory response, which creates heavy blood flow to the area, stimulating the body to heal itself. The blood sent to the area helps the cartilage under the knee to repair, as well as strengthening the ligaments and tendons that are supporting the knee.
If a person is a candidate for knee surgery, the cartilage under the knee cap is most likely in poor condition, but not necessarily, as often surgery is recommended when other more conservative options have not been fully investigated. In more severe cases or those involving severely degenerated cartilage, we may strengthen the standard Prolotherapy solution with additives such as hormones, minerals, or even your body’s own growth factors in order to stimulate a greater inflammatory response.
We see from our patients every day at Caring Medical that Prolotherapy can relieve pain, even in some of the worst cases – even after surgery!
Ross Hauser, M.D. Visit my page or Contact Caring Medical. at 708-848-7789
Prolotherapy information for patients can be found at Prolotherapy.org. Need to find a Prolotherapy doctor? Have more Prolotherapy questions?
Achillies Tendon Treatment
New video Achillies Tendon Treatment
Osteoarthritis and ligament injury
Osteoarthritis and injury to the ligaments. Recently published in the Journal of Prolotherapy, the relationship between ligament injury and osteoarthritis was explored. Says the Journal “When there is insufficient ligament support to stabilize joint motion, the resultant increase in joint laxity leads to the development and acceleration of articular cartilage injury.”
Further the article states that Prolotherapy is a very effective tratemnt for treating the ligament injury and preventing osteoarthritis development. “When it comes to greatly reducing or eliminating the pain and dysfunction from osteoarthritis due to ligament injury, no other treatment compares with Prolotherapy. It is simple, safe, and effective, affording both doctor and patient a satisfying long-term outcome. It is low-cost when compared to surgery or the long-term use of drugs. It deserves prominent recognition by the health care industry and the public alike. Prolotherapy truly is the natural solution for pain! “
You can read this Prolotherary and Osteoarthritis article at the Journal of Prolotherapy
To learn more about Prolotherapy or to find Prolotherapy doctors visit http://www.getprolo.com
