Steroid injections

04 November 2019, 12:33 PM

wtg

Steroid injections

quote:
A common therapy for joint pain may not be as safe as experts believed, according to a new report published Tuesday.

Corticosteroid injections are often given to reduce pain and inflammation from osteoarthritis.

But these injections may do more harm than good: The report found corticosteroid shots in the hips and knees may accelerate the progression of osteoarthritis and potentially even hasten the need for joint replacement surgeries in the long run, said lead author Dr. Ali Guermazi, a professor of radiology at the Boston University School of Medicine.

“The intra-articular corticosteroid injections in the hips and knees are not as safe as we thought,” Guermazi, whose paper is published in the journal Radiology, said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health...ful-thought-n1066146

04 November 2019, 12:57 PM

ShiroKuro

Thanks for posting this!

04 November 2019, 04:40 PM

rontuner

Anyone had experience with stem cell injections? One of our friends tried it for knee issues and he had great results!!

I don't think they are covered by any insurance so it was 4k out-of-pocket for the single injection...

04 November 2019, 04:45 PM

Steve Miller

I have a chiropractor friend who recommends stem cell injections, but the ballpark estimate of cost he provided was more like $25K.

04 November 2019, 04:49 PM

wtg

Stem cell therapy has been around in general use in veterinary medicine for quite some time. Our vet does a lot of stem cell therapy and has had really good results with it.

I reached out to him before Mr wtg had his hip replacement surgery to get his opinion about whether stem cell therapy might work (not to actually treat him, of course - lol). Mr wtg basically had no cartilage left in the joint.

Dr Chris' answer:

quote:
Early intervention is best with stem cell therapy
There maybe too much structure change for non surgical approach
With his age group and the new hips it should last him a life time
If he was not a good candidate then stem cell all day long

One of Maggie's other vets, who does in-home chiropractic, said her dad tried stem cell therapy for his knee and didn't get any relief. She said she could have told him he wouldn't have positive results if he had asked before spending all that money. His knees were like Mr wtg's hip, namely completely shot and not a good fit for stem cells....she echoed Dr Chris in the "early intervention" assessment....she's seen it used a fair amount in horses...

04 November 2019, 04:55 PM

ShiroKuro

I have read almost nothing about stem-cell therapy, is it fairly new in humans? I'm guessing yes since insurance doesn't cover it?

04 November 2019, 06:14 PM

rontuner

There should be a pretty extensive interview to find out if the patient is a good candidate.

I think the 25k is multiple spot injections as well as systemic injections that attack inflammation. Our friend just opted for one into the knee. The interesting thing was that the other knee improved too after about a month...

04 November 2019, 06:20 PM

wtg

It can be very effective. My vet has seen amazing results with dogs who have spinal injuries.

One would think that you would get an honest assessment of the likelihood of success, but from what I read, there seem to be some clinics doing this therapy who are not entirely up front about that...really need to do your homework....

04 November 2019, 07:11 PM

CHAS

quote:
Originally posted by rontuner:
Anyone had experience with stem cell injections? One of our friends tried it for knee issues and he had great results!!

I don't think they are covered by any insurance so it was 4k out-of-pocket for the single injection...

The husband of a friend had stem cell work done on his shoulder. It was a success.
They would only do it for tears much smaller than mine.