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My 81YO neighbor is having a stem cell procedure on her knee, as opposed to have a knee replacement. The cost is roughly $3k. Medicare won't pay for the procedure (aren't they trying to save money?) but they're paying for the tests. She knows other church members in her church who have had it done, and they swear by it.
Anyone had it and is pleased with it? Any pro's and con's?
When I had a Baker's Cyst, 6 years ago, and frustrated with the Orthopedists in Las Vegas, I went to the Angeles Hospital (a medical tourism hospital) in Tijuana and he aspirated for me, but told me that the time would come I'd be looking at a knee replacement or a stem cell procedure. At the time, he quoted me $700 for the procedure.
Anyone know of the longevity of this procedure and if you have to have it done at another time later?
Have they considered radio frequency ablation? I'm completely off of pain and anti-inflammatory meds since I had it on my Stage IV knee. And even my crappy insurance covered it, after a long fight.
Have they considered radio frequency ablation? I'm completely off of pain and anti-inflammatory meds since I had it on my Stage IV knee. And even my crappy insurance covered it, after a long fight.
I've been posting PRP and Stem Cell injections for years here. I use regular Prolotherapy but can't afford PRP and Stem Cells, so I live with the damaged knee, which is damaged from hip replacement, a vicious cycle of damage from a major surgery.
My 81YO neighbor is having a stem cell procedure on her knee, as opposed to have a knee replacement. The cost is roughly $3k. Medicare won't pay for the procedure (aren't they trying to save money?) but they're paying for the tests. She knows other church members in her church who have had it done, and they swear by it.
Anyone had it and is pleased with it? Any pro's and con's?
When I had a Baker's Cyst, 6 years ago, and frustrated with the Orthopedists in Las Vegas, I went to the Angeles Hospital (a medical tourism hospital) in Tijuana and he aspirated for me, but told me that the time would come I'd be looking at a knee replacement or a stem cell procedure. At the time, he quoted me $700 for the procedure.
Anyone know of the longevity of this procedure and if you have to have it done at another time later?
Personally I'd do stem cells and non-invasive treatment over surgery at that age. I spoke to a PT who said that surgery isn't good for people over a certain age, he'd known many who passed away within a year of having surgery, he advised my 85 year old neighbor not to do his knee.
My neighbor's lady friend had her hip done, she was also about 80, she passed away within 6 months of hip surgery. My neighbor ended up having a pace maker put in, he too passed away within a few months of the surgery.
I honestly don't know how true it is, but I would look into it if I was that age, considering surgery of some kind.
The FDA suggests patients who decide to get stem cells for any purpose should speak to their doctor about the potential risks and benefits, and ask whether they are part of an FDA-approved clinical trial. Most often, doctors who offer stem cell treatments are orthopedists, plastic surgeons, or physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors,
The reduction in pain, however, isn’t permanent, Smith says. "The effect may last 6 months," he says, citing results from knee studies. When people are paying out of pocket, he adds, they may over-report good effects to feel like they got their money's worth.
There are no actual double blind studies that prove safety and efficacy. It may or may not work and is expensive as hell, Lots of quacks are capitalizing on people who have money!
Only time will tell, but first, it must be studied
The MD who does this PRP and Stem Cells has been doing it for over 20 yrs and teaches at UCLA...and has written 2 books with 100's of reviews. So I know they work, and one has to stay with the work can't just quit after one session because they didn't get the results they wanted. And Yes they are pricey and so are botched replacements. Key too is finding a provider who knows this work not a fly by night person jumping in.
And for the insurance world, I don't see why all protocols can't be checked out. And no reason why insurance can't pick up at least part of the Prolo work. The MD here who does this says he gets patients all the time who have had surgeries and go to him to "fix" what the knife didn't. He can't fix them all. Can't work on metal and plastic parts.
The MD who does this PRP and Stem Cells has been doing it for over 20 yrs and teaches at UCLA...and has written 2 books with 100's of reviews. So I know they work, and one has to stay with the work can't just quit after one session because they didn't get the results they wanted. And Yes they are pricey and so are botched replacements. Key too is finding a provider who knows this work not a fly by night person jumping in.
And for the insurance world, I don't see why all protocols can't be checked out. And no reason why insurance can't pick up at least part of the Prolo work. The MD here who does this says he gets patients all the time who have had surgeries and go to him to "fix" what the knife didn't. He can't fix them all. Can't work on metal and plastic parts.
So, 20 years and 2 books WITHOUT DOUBLE BLIND CLINICAL STUDIES makes it a medical miracle?
You have to have clinical peer reviewed trials to PROVE whether a procedure, drug or vaccine ACTUALLY WORKS.
That's how it works in the real world.
Until approved by the FDA, there is no chance in hell for insurance coverage. It's as simple as that!
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