Time to stop talking about it and do it!

If you are here then that means you have expressed an interest in following along on my journey with Stem Cell Replacement Therapy in my knee.  Welcome aboard!  I cannot guarantee what kind of ride it is going to be; or what to expect (for me or you).  But I know there will be SCIENCE involved!  

The PROBLEM(s) with my left knee:

• Stage 4 Osteoarthritis (though not all the doctors I have seen agree on the stage; but I am going with this one as it was the first diagnosis I was given 5 years ago)
• Torn Medial Meniscus
• Bakers Cyst

The HOW I ended up with the problems:

• Most likely set on the trajectory when I was 8 months old and twisted the developing knee cap.
• Exacerbated by years of impact sports:  skiing, soccer, softball, running, etc.
• Culminated by my dog plowing into me 5 years ago and tearing the meniscus.

The WHAT can be done to fix it or slow the degeneration:

• Knee replacement
• Stem cell replacement therapy

The WHAT I have done to avoid the knee replacement and to keep running to reach my goal of completing a half marathon in each state:

• Physical Therapy - after the tear, to strengthen the muscles around the knee
• Chiropractic/Sport Therapy every 6-8 weeks to drain the cyst, keep knee alignment and everything else intact.
• Hyaluronic Acid Injections - added cushion to help the meniscus tear heal a bit
• Wearing an "unloader" brace when running/walking/hiking and playing other sports.
• Less Running, More Walking

WHY stem cell replacement therapy:

• Why not?  
• It is non-invasive.  
• It uses my own stem cells.  
• It is not surgery.  
• It will keep me active.
• Because - SCIENCE!

WHEN is the stem cell replacement therapy happening?

• 13 January 2020 - injection to irritate the knee to get the body into healing mode
• 15 January 2020 - extraction of stem cells from both hips in the morning.  Injection of stem cells into the knee in the afternoon.
• 17 January 2020 - blood draw in the morning; platelet rich plasma injection a couple of hours later.

WHERE is the stem cell replacement therapy happening?

• Mountain View Rehabilitation in Grass Valley, CA

I have heard good things about stem cell replacement therapy; but I have not met anyone who has actually had it done.  I have met people who are interested in it.  They are my motivation for chronicling this journey!