Special Announcement - Now Screening for FDA Approved Stem Cell Study
Dr. Mitchell Sheinkop has completed training and is credentialed for an FDA-approved stem cell clinical trial for knee arthritis. Our clinic is now screening patients for this trial. Contact us at 312-475-1893 for details. Click here to learn more.
Regenerative Medicine: The Past, Present and Future

Regenerative Medicine: The Past, Present and Future

A disclaimer at the get-go. The title of this Blog was influenced by my repeat viewing the other night, when I became tired of news and sports, of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, about 40-odd years after my first watch. The penetrating music was never forgotten.

The Past

Yesterday was my initial office session in the new 618 West Fulton Street office. The first patient was a middle-aged police officer who I had initially treated for a fracture dislocation of his right hip in 1991, after having been involved in a vehicular collision. Please be reminded that at the time, I was a Professor of Orthopedics at a major academic medical center in Chicago, dedicated to joint replacement and reconstructive surgery of the hip and the knee. His treatment required an open reduction and internal fixation of a fracture/dislocation of the right femoral head. He had kept his medical records of the time; and so, when pain and restricted function at the hip were progressing, the still-active police officer decided to seek me out.

The Present

A full orthopedic assessment of the patient, with particular emphasis on his right hip, was followed by X-rays. Once I viewed the image, while l honestly didn’t remember the patient by name, I quickly recalled his case as the surgical intervention took place very early in the morning and required special instrumentation in order to maximize the end result. The Osteochondral Fracture of the femoral head at the time had healed, and I recognized the two retained mini-screws used for fracture fixation at the time. More important was the absence of avascular necrosis; that is loss of blood supply to the femoral head from the traumatic dislocation and the surgical reconstruction. Most important was the fact that the surgical reconstruction had resulted in 30-plus years of an unlimited quality of life and no restriction in his physical demands as a police officer.

The Future

Given the physical examination compatible with a minimal loss of hip motion, and an X-ray indicative of early onset, grade 3 osteoarthritis; I recommended a Bone Marrow Concentrate procedure for the right hip. In our evidence-based Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Orthopedic Practice, we have the statistics to support the recommendation enabling the application of the Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Platelets, Growth Factors, and Precursor Cells to diminish or eliminate pain from the inflammation generated by osteoarthritis while at the same time influencing the progression of arthritic changes. The end result will postpone and, hopefully, assist the patient in avoiding a hip replacement while still in his mid-50s.

To learn more about how we may help you in the present and in the future, call (312) 475-1893 to schedule an office visit. Visit my website at www.sheinkopmd.com

It Is an Exciting Time in Regenerative Medicine

It Is an Exciting Time in Regenerative Medicine

Looking forward in 2023, our first clinical day in the new offices at 618 West Fulton Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661 is Tuesday, January 10. The number to use to schedule a visit is (312) 475-1893. Our Glenview office is scheduled to open in March of this year. The same office number will allow for the scheduling of an appointment in either location.

As readers of this Blog are aware, we frequently refer to ourselves as an “Evidence Based “practice. With the move, we have upgraded our ability to monitor results and make sure we stay at the forefront of Cellular Orthopedics, a needle and not a knife.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were named by Dr. Arnold Caplan in his publication titled Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Journal of Orthopedic Research in 1991. MSCs are adult stem cells that can be isolated from different sources including bone marrow, fat/adipose tissue, and umbilical cord tissue. Scientists have found the greatest concentration of stem cells in the body to be in fat tissue. These cells could then be culture expanded (grown and multiplied) and packaged as doses for administration for conditions such as osteoarthritis and other inflammatory diseases. At this time, the FDA does not sanction the use of umbilical cord tissue as a source of stem cells or culturing of stem cells unless it is under the auspices of an FDA-approved and monitored clinical trial.

MSCs are designed to function at the site where any injury has occurred. They communicate with the immune system instructing it among many things to depress inflammation while also sending the body signals to regenerate healthy tissue and heal. MSCs are masters of producing the factors that make connections between cells so that the body can restore its natural structure and function. The ability of MSCs to regenerate tissue within the body is not because it has the capacity to replicate itself and create another cell but, rather, of its stimulatory effect (function of providing a supportive microenvironment) on the body to naturally regenerate its own cells.

At the start of this new year, I am introducing a clinical study using micro-fractured adipose tissue (fat), obtained via min liposuction from your abdomen. Until Personalized Stem Cells receives FDA approval for a Clinical Trial allowing us to use culture expanded adipose-derived stem cells, micro-fractured fat allows communication with the immune system instructing it among many things to depress inflammation while also sending the body signals to regenerate healthy tissue and heal. For the time being, the study will seek enrollment of patients with problematic knees and shoulders. As this is not a clinical trial but rather a clinical study, there is no financial sponsor; however, I will be offering a generous discount on the cost of care for those willing to participate.

Interested patients should call (312) 475-1893 to schedule a consultation. You may visit my website at www.sheinkopmd.com. To learn more about micro fractured adipose tissue, visit www.jointechlabs.com.

Most Stem Cell Therapies are Not Approved by the FDA

Most Stem Cell Therapies are Not Approved by the FDA

While surfing the internet this morning, I was amazed by the multiple websites marketing umbilical cord, placental tissue, and amniotic fluid-derived stem cells for every disease known to mankind; but then I realized, you would have to leave town for some foreign country to be treated by those charlatans. On the other hand, there are ways to gain access to “Kosher”; that is FDA-approved Regenerative Medicine methodologies in this country. The options include multiple Platelet Rich Plasma alternatives, Bone Marrow Concentrate, and evolving Liposuction processing technologies.

Platelet Rich Plasma is a generic term covering a range of possibilities; all dependent on growth factors that can trigger cell reproduction, stimulate tissue regeneration and may help treat osteoarthritis-related pain and joint stiffness by modulating the joint environment and reducing inflammation. A vena-puncture allows recovery of your blood that when placed in a centrifuge allows for recovery of your concentrated platelets. The latter is then suspended in your plasma and injected into the arthritic joint. As an example, this morning, I had X-rays completed of both my knees. Whereas three years ago, I had no joint space between my patella (knee cap) and my femur (thigh bone) on either side, the images today indicated a very healthy amount of joint space. Is the increase of joint space apparent from the X-ray technique or real? All can say is that I have had three biologic applications to my knees over the past three years.

Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC) requires the aspiration of your bone marrow from your pelvis. The liquid bone marrow is then concentrated in a centrifuge and then filtered. Contained in the BMC are stem cells, platelets, growth factor proteins, precursor cells, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and more. The Bone Marrow Concentrate will then be injected into your arthritic joint or joints.

When adipose tissue (fat) is recovered, usually from your abdomen by mini-liposuction, the fat may be micronized by mechanical means or treated to allow recovery of stem cells known as Stromal Vascular Fraction. Accompanying the several different stem cell types stored in fat are growth factors and other biologically active components.

The challenge in the present Cellular Orthopedic environment is to stay abreast of emerging technologies and still remain FDA compliant. The new office settings starting with 618 West Fullerton in Chicago opening on January 1, 2023, followed by a Glenview office in February will allow for one of the most advanced Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Orthopedic opportunities in the Midwest. You may schedule an appointment by calling (847)390-7666 until December 31, 2022; thereafter, call (312) 475-1893. You may also visit my website at www.sheinkopmd.com.

A December Regenerative Medicine Update from Your Town Crier

A December Regenerative Medicine Update from Your Town Crier

As announced in our last Blog and via letters to our patients this past week, our Chicago office will move to 618 West Fulton, 60661 as of January 1, 2023. Our team is working out the details concerning patient parking, electronic medical records, and so on. Until December 31, use the existing (312) 475-1893 to schedule and contact us. As of January 1, 2023, our new number will be (312) 475-1893. The website will soon be updated to reflect changes in location and increased scope of service as will our e-mail addresses. The new Glenview satellite office should open in February.

Returning to our Clinical practice of Regenerative and Cellular Orthopedics with Stem Cells and Biologics, while Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate allows me to deliver Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells in addition to precursor cells, concentrated anti-inflammatory proteins, and Growth Factors such as IRAP and A2M to an arthritic joint; for the “mature” patient, your Fat recovered by Lipo-aspiration provides a potentially improved outcome when dealing with an arthritic joint. There are more stem cells found in fat as we age than in bone marrow concentrate. To that end, while in patients requesting IV sedation, I will continue using the NWCH Surgi-center for the time being, we are now able to offer several “bedside” possibilities in my new office, in a specialized treatment room.

You will note that I frequently describe my practice as “Evidence-Based”. Our ongoing Database which allows for continued statistical analysis of outcomes and patient satisfaction now contains a minimal follow-up of 285 hips and 802 knees that have been comprehensively monitored for up to seven years. There are few practices that can make this claim. From the scientific side, there have been multiple scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals. The direct benefit to a patient, from my evidence-based initiative, is the assurance that any Orthobiologic treatment recommendation I advance is at the forefront of medicine.

To learn more, visit my website soon to be updated at www.sheinkopmd.com. To schedule a consultation, call (312) 475-1893 until December 31; there after call (312) 475-1893. For those interested in emerging technologies that are being incorporated into our patient care alternatives, visit:
www.jointechlabs.com and www.pscells.com.

For Everything There is a Season

For Everything There is a Season

You may pick up on the theme of this Blog either in Ecclesiastes 3:1 or by listening to the music of Pete Seeger so Turn! Turn! Turn! over the holiday period. No matter your preference, I will be moving my offices to 618 West Fulton Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661 as of January 1st, 2023.

The good news is that I am not too old to change and stay up to date; actually, to stay at the forefront of Evidence-Based, Regenerative Medicine. The new setting will allow me to better control the escalating cost of Cellular Orthopedics. Equally important, I will be better able to introduce advancing technology and update our outcomes documentation methodology. Of course, our team with whom I have worked over the past many years will remain intact.

Patients will soon receive an announcement in the mail as to the change. Since our team is still working out the details, until further notice, our phone number will not change. I will post updates in the next several blogs regarding details such as parking, etc. Our treatment options will also increase as we are adding a new form for micronized adipose tissue to treatment options starting in mid-January. Additionally, aware that some patients are traveling out of the country for Stem Cell treatments, I will also be able to provide those opportunities in my new Chicago office; so, you will no longer need to travel offshore for the advanced treatment of an arthritic joint. At the same time, our updated biologic interventions will now offer increases in platelet-derived growth factors, A2M, cytokines, fibrinogen, IRAP, and VEGF.

While all this is taking place, we are exploring the location of a north suburban satellite office. When that location has been finalized, the announcement will be posted on the Blog or you will learn more when you schedule an appointment. At the time of your initial appointment in the Fulton Street setting, you will note that the proximity to the office space marked Chicago Arthritis on the Northeast corner of Fulton and Des Plains Streets. The proximity to a Rheumatologist will allow for a more comprehensive overview of each patient prior to and following a Regenerative Cellular and Biologic intervention. It is important to differentiate for instance between inflammatory arthritis and Osteoarthritis before providing informed consent for evidence-based joint intervention. Medical management of arthritis with prescription anti-inflammatories has a place, as does physical therapy, in helping a patient deal with impairments affecting many joints.

Until December 31, 2022, I will remain in my existing offices. To schedule an appointment, continue to call (312) 475-1893. You may visit my website at www.sheinkopmd.com.

Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Adipose Derived Stem Cells

Due to the Federal District Court ruling in the CSCTC/CSN case in August of this year, it appears that FDA has no jurisdiction in autologous adipose cell therapy, including cell culture expanded cells. Many questions on interpretation so here is the link to the ruling to provide you easy access to read for yourself:

Our office will be communicating with you concerning your interest in pursuing the cultured stem cell option for an arthritic joint.

1. Patients with stored doses ready to use
a) After decision to provide treatment, in conjunction with your patient, you can place an order for the number of doses needed and date to treat.

2. Patients with stored culture starter cells
a) These patients do not have cells ready to use and must place order for cell culture expansion (“StemReady”) to manufacture the cells. Cost for past trial patients is $7,500 and for a new patient is $12,500

Physicians’ invoices for all medical services rendered, including but not limited to lipoaspiration, diagnostics, examinations, office fees, laboratory fees other than PSC, stem cell administration and any additional medical services provided.

PSC directly contracts and invoices the physician’s patients for laboratory processing services and cell banking fees per this schedule.

The Fee Schedule is that of PSC and Stem Ready. There is a professional fee that is additional and generated by my office. For those interested, the fee schedule is far less than what is usual and customary when travelling off shore for Stem cells.

To learn more or schedule a consultation, call: (312) 475-1893. You may visit my web site at www.sheinkopmd.com. The Personalized Stem Cell web site is www.personalizedstemcells.com.

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