[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by YeOldeCurmudgeon

Rummaging through these comments, it appears these experimental treatments have worked for some but not others. So, it leads me to conclude that it depends on a variety of factors specific to each individual but primarily how serious the deterioration of the person's joint / cartilege is. Perhaps, even the method of the practitioner may play a role. Whatever, it appears that it is not a treatment that has been perfected yet but could work for some.

There are two additional possible factors, the placebo effect, and that fact that some people may have gotten better with no treatment at all.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

My hip replacement is going to cost around $25,000 - and insurance will cover all except the first $9100 of it (I think - hope - that's the theory in any case, according to my insurance documents for next year).

So would I spend $40k or even $10k on a treatment that /might/ help? Nope. I'll go for the surgery and spend a couple of months being sore. I'm nearly bone on bone. My 3rd and final cortisone shot is starting to wear off.

yeah, it sounds like you're going to need the sx @ this point. all the conservative methods of treatment have been used up- best of luck

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by PugMom

yeah, it sounds like you're going to need the sx @ this point. all the conservative methods of treatment have been used up- best of luck

Thanks. I'm feeling pretty good about it actually. If you have arthritis, you will not ever "not" have arthritis. Treating the symptoms only delays the inevitable. If it's slow-growing, you could outlive the need for surgery. Circumstances have resulted in my knowing this experience would come, back when I was in my early 30's.

Thankfully because of science, medicine, big pharma, and hospitals, this is an outpatient surgery now for otherwise-healthy people (such as myself).

I'll go in, in the morning, they'll prep me, give me some good knock-out drugs that have quick recovery time. Supposedly they go in through a small incision on the upper front of my thigh, clean up whatever bone is left, then fit a ceramic cap over the joint and stitch it back up again. If all goes well in the recovery room, I walk out of there (limping, obviously) some time before dinner the same day.

Physical therapy consists exclusively of walking.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jswirs

I recently attended an informational meeting regarding NON-SURGICAL REGENERATION, with respect to reducing or eliminating joint pain. To summarize the process: Over several weeks a series of injections, using processed blood, stem cells and bone marrow from the patient's own body, are given directly into the painful joint. This substance is then expected to stay, and even regenerate, in the joint providing the lubrication necessary to relieve pain resulting from arthritis, scar tissue from previous trauma, overuse, etc.

The process is FDA approved, but not covered by insurance. There are many testimonials from patients which have resulted in, at least, partial success and a few patients have reported they are completely pain free. However, internet research shows some patients have not been helped at all and are calling this process a scam.

Does anyone have experience with this process? Any thoughts?

As to stiffness and OVERUSE.........does that also apply to the brain? I could use some improvement in that area.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

My hip replacement is going to cost around $25,000 - and insurance will cover all except the first $9100 of it (I think - hope - that's the theory in any case, according to my insurance documents for next year).

So would I spend $40k or even $10k on a treatment that /might/ help? Nope. I'll go for the surgery and spend a couple of months being sore. I'm nearly bone on bone. My 3rd and final cortisone shot is starting to wear off.

That's the better choice. I know several people that have improved their movement and even running with a hip replacement. Good luck! I hope that I am still around when Medical Science gets around to memory and brain replacement. I have been losing altitude recently.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Miekies

My father recently went this route for a damaged knee. So far the last 6 months he has been going through the process. He actually grew back his minicus and the doctors were thrilled. But the electrode stimulator (no idea on the correct name lol) they used and the compression brace actually made his entire leg extremely week. He could ride his bike for 20+ miles a day but when he came to visit me this November it was difficult for him to walk. First time I've ever seen him weak physically. They have now stopped using the compression brace and the stimulator but they believe he will still need surgery. So 6 months and he's no better. Hopefully they can figure it out better.

That tells me that long-distance bike riding may be harder on the body than fast walking or swimming. Particularly if the bike is not perfectly fitted to someone. But, it would take a lot of statistical analysis to prove that.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by waterflower

The FDA, NIH, CDC are all paid by big pharma. So who is really being scammed..Follow the money.

Big Pharma like BIG anything does do the scamming. However, I part company on the idea that the FDA, NIH, and CDC are Villians and NOT independent.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Thanks. I'm feeling pretty good about it actually. If you have arthritis, you will not ever "not" have arthritis. Treating the symptoms only delays the inevitable. If it's slow-growing, you could outlive the need for surgery. Circumstances have resulted in my knowing this experience would come, back when I was in my early 30's.

Thankfully because of science, medicine, big pharma, and hospitals, this is an outpatient surgery now for otherwise-healthy people (such as myself).

I'll go in, in the morning, they'll prep me, give me some good knock-out drugs that have quick recovery time. Supposedly they go in through a small incision on the upper front of my thigh, clean up whatever bone is left, then fit a ceramic cap over the joint and stitch it back up again. If all goes well in the recovery room, I walk out of there (limping, obviously) some time before dinner the same day.

Physical therapy consists exclusively of walking.

Boy, hospitals have some really fine knock-out drugs. The technician wondered why I grabbed the mask out of his hands because he took too long. He got a laugh out of my wanting to go under quickly. But, I knew that I was going from the "pre-lim" happy shot to the better stuff. Drugs with little downsides.....life is good under the influence.