Regenerative Stem Cell & PRP Treatments - Update - Nov 22, 2021

[Zip-in-Z]

Wondering if others here have had Stem Cell injections and what was your experience, did it last longer than cortisone & would you do it again ?

My story …. was in a car crash in MB in 1983, got rear ended bad.

Today I went back to the CAPRI clinic (Central Alberta Pain & Rehab Inst) in Lacombe.

Had my second cortisone injection into my L4/5 & L5/S1 facet joints in my lower back, first time was in July, I got 4 months of pain relief, now I’m back taking Advil or Aleve.

For my next appointment in April 2018, I decided to give the “Stem Cell” option a try, where they extract my bone marrow & stem cells from my pelvis area separate it in a centrifuge and then inject my cells into the same four damaged locations and they regenerate around the damaged cartilage/nerve area.

The Doc said for some of his patients this treatment has been very effective in the back/spine vs knee or other joints and his patients are experiencing more lasting relieve & progressively gets better after 4-6 months and patients say they have seen improvements up to a year. Then he said there hasn’t been enough science/studies to say I will see similar improvements.

Was very impressed with Dr. R. Burnham and Dr. L Playfair, they said, the procedure isn’t covered by Health Care, cost quoted was $2,300.00 they will take my Master Card.

Tks in advance, look forward to some feedback & replies ….

David

[mgvande]

The harvesting sounds like it would hurt. Keep us posted on how it goes going forward.

[Cnd82]

My Dad had the PRP procedure in his shoulder. He noticed that it helped fairly quickly. He got it done at Paradigm in Calgary. He said there were lots of athletes in there that use this treatment regularly.

[crazy_davey]

Just looked up CAPRI last night. Friend of a friend had his knees done a while back and was happy with the results. I’ll be filling out the form fairly soon to hopefully do the same.

[Zip-in-Z]

Interesting .... it appears not many members have pursued this treatment.

Today, my lower back is feeling a bit of discomfort, but nothing serious, I haven't had to take any Advil yet hope I can get another 3-4 months of relief from the cortisone shots.

Guess I'll be the first Crash Test Dummy to bite the bullet and try the Stem Cell injections when I get back from SoCal in early April.

Perhaps there may be others who can chime in ....

Tks

D.

[oldgutpile]

I'll be watching the progress on this one fairly closely. I have been dealing with a torn disc for a few years now, and every six months I go in for radiofrequency treatment, where they burn the nerve endings to kill the pain. Seems like the last half dozen times in there now, the treatment is more and more painful, with less results. It's time for another alternative.
Good luck, and hopefully it works out for you!

[35 whelen]

I see Jack Nicklaus just got this done says he's golfing like a 50 year old again

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[dodger]

Originally Posted by 35 whelen

I see Jack Nicklaus just got this done says he's golfing like a 50 year old again

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

Yep, it was all over the radio today. They were saying it “cured” him.

Dodger.

[NayNay]

Any updates?

[Zip-in-Z]

Further to Post #16, I’ll be 63 next week, I was in chronic pain and getting cortisone shots every 3 months in my lower back due to a car accident (rear ended) in 1980’s, I was looking at more advanced treatment and it was suggested I see the CAPRI - Central Alberta Pain & Rehab Clinic in Lacombe.

I had my initial stem cell therapy about 3 months ago on April 17th, 2018, I can truthfully say I have experienced some improvements as well pain relief without taking Advil, Aleve or Voltaren and more restful sleep since the procedure, I was told not to expect any significant improvements for at least 4-6 months.

In this short period of time I believe I’ve seen a 20% improvement, perhaps it’s also due to being more active, stretching and exercising daily including golfing 3 times a week & walking approx. 5.2 miles over 18 holes.

On August 21st, I’m booked for a follow-up treatment to my stem cell injection with a PRP injection as it acts as a "booster". The job of the PRP is to attract stem cells to the area, promoting an increase in results. I understand it’s recommended to do this 2-6 months following a stem cell treatment. In my case 4 PRP injections would be $600.

I’m told the instructions I had to follow for my stem cell treatment apply to the PRP treatment as well. You need to book it at a time where you can have a 3-7 day rest period, (no golf) plan to have a ride and the same medications (Advil, Aleve, etc) would have to be discontinued again for at least 4 weeks.

The CAPRI clinic website still has a notice that they are not taking any new patients for Stem Cell Therapy as Health Canada has not finalized its position on this treatment. I’ll enquire further when I’m there in August. Link https://www.capriclinic.ca/

As previously stated, I’m very hopeful to see more positive results over the next weeks/months and will update accordingly.

Cheers

David



From the CAPRI Website - PRP Injection

Blood is drawn from your arm and the platelets are concentrated and re-introduced into the site of injury/degeneration. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) consists of concentrated platelets from your own blood and contain chemicals called growth factors or cytokines, which signal to other cells to gather and heal at the site of injury/degeneration.

[Red Bullets]

Hope the treatments work for you. It would be a blessing if these new ways of approaching pain and healing replaced drug therapies and degeneration.

[Grizzly Adams]

Never discount the placebo effect. I've had the cortisone shots, not enough improvement to do it again.

Grizz

[Peasant]

This will be an interesting thread to follow, I know that there are doing IV stem cell treatments now not only site specific.

[MrDave]

I've been getting cortisone injections at Capri in various spots, well over a dozen so far. Then they tried the freezing to test if I was a candidate for the RFF on my facet joints but not enough pain relief to justify the procedure.
So on the 17th I had the platelet injection. Still struggling to sit due to the injection site being sore. The good news is that I got the treatment as part of a study and didn't have to pay out of pocket.

I've spent 12 years taking prescription narcotics for knee pain, degenerative disc disease, and then to top it off I got squished by a tipping antique wardrobe. Then I was forced to go to CBI Physiotherapy in Red Deer, they tore my rotator cuff majorly. Had surgery and went to a different physiotherapy clinic. Idiot there ignored the surgeon and tore the repair. Had a second surgery and another year of therapy. I finally found a job, worked 10 days and got Tboned on the job by a criminal while driving in Olds. So after another round of physio for a brain injury, I was left with a plethora of pain and disability.

So last spring I cold turkey walked away from the drug dealer,aka physician, and totally quit the Percocet. Thousands of them damn things taken just so I could continue to be employed.
I hope this is going to help with the low back pain, but I have limited hope. With head to toe disc degeneration, there is only so much one can expect. If I get some relief from this I might try the knees for the arthritis in them.

FYI they are having trouble finding Guinea Pigs for the study, and if you qualify the treatment is free. My kind of deal. If you are in bad enough pain it's worth a try.

[Zip-in-Z]

Nov 24th .... went back to the CAPRI Clinic, Lacombe for my 6th PRP injection(s) since my stem cell procedure that I had done in April 2018. I get 9 shots per appointment, 6 in my lower back which has made a significant improvement and now 3 on my right hand knuckles were I have some arthritis. Cost = $700.00 it's not covered by insurance.

I go twice a year, April & Nov to get my shots & it sure has helped me with reducing my back pain, gaining more flexibility & a better night's sleep.

As mentioned I have arthritis in my right hand in 3 finger/knuckles which are still a bit stiff but I can close them & make a fist and have a stronger grip on items I pick up or hold on to. I've seen some promising results with PRP in my hands. as well, it's easier to hang on to my golf club grips, too.

Told my neighbor to who still get cortisone/steroid shots that last 3 months or less, he's cheap but said he's considering the CAPRI.

I asked them if they have any updates when Stem Cell procedure will be approved again in AB, was told the governments are still working on it.

If your suffering check out their website, they may be able to help you.

Cheers

D.


Website Link .... www.capriclinic.ca


Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient's own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. In this way, PRP injections use each individual patient's own healing system to improve musculoskeletal problems.


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[newguy]

Glad to hear you had good experiences with the stem cell injections. I’ve had 2 lower back surgeries and the last one in 2017 I had stem cell injections to promote healing. My surgeon said I progressed exceptionally well post operative. I felt great almost immediately and worked hard to get back to a new normal. That new normal is numbness in my leg and foot from nerve damage. He couldn’t say if the stem cell injections helped that.

One thing worth noting, the harvesting of the stem cells was an awful experience I don’t want to relive. At least with surgery they knock you out. Those needles were nasty!

I think science is just beginning to see the benefits of stem cells.

[Zip-in-Z]

Originally Posted by newguy

Glad to hear you had good experiences with the stem cell injections. I’ve had 2 lower back surgeries and the last one in 2017 I had stem cell injections to promote healing. My surgeon said I progressed exceptionally well post operative. I felt great almost immediately and worked hard to get back to a new normal. That new normal is numbness in my leg and foot from nerve damage. He couldn’t say if the stem cell injections helped that.

One thing worth noting, the harvesting of the stem cells was an awful experience I don’t want to relive. At least with surgery they knock you out. Those needles were nasty!

I think science is just beginning to see the benefits of stem cells.

Many tks for sharing your experience.

I would agree & would hope Health Canada & the provinces get there chit together so more Cdn's can get these procedures here vs going to the States or like Jack Nicklaus (see post #29) went to Germany for the procedures.

(Nicklaus met German stem cell pioneer Dr. Eckhard Alt at his 75th birthday party, the Golden Bear was convinced that adipose stem cells, found in abdominal fat, may finally provide him with permanent back pain relief.)

D.