Negative Effects of Corticosteroids
Cortisone... this subject has been a sore spot for me for many years. It is one that I feel passionately about as it directly opposes everything I believe and everything I know about medicine.
Cortisone... this subject has been a sore spot for me for many years. It is one that I feel passionately about as it directly opposes everything I believe and everything I know about medicine.
In a recent article for Ask the Experts, Dr. Minotti discusses the most common questions from patients about Regenerative Orthopedics. As a young physician, Dr. Minotti sought more effective methods to treat patients with conditions that were not responding to traditional treatments. Discovering the developing field of Regenerative Medicine, he became a pioneer in these innovative procedures.
Meniscus tears are one of the most common types of knee injuries. When left untreated, the tear may increase, making the knee become susceptible to arthritis.
The decision of how to treat medical conditions can be overwhelming. Many patients research all potential options. Others follow their doctor’s advice. Some just go with standard procedures.
Traditional treatments for knee pain have often been NSAIDs or surgery. NSAIDs reduce inflammation, therefore reducing pain. Unfortunately, inflammation is our body’s natural method of healing. Millions of tiny cells rush to the injury to perform their individual role in the healing process. So, when inflammation stops, healing stops also. Surgery is often not necessary. 86% of musculoskeletal injuries can be effectively treated without surgery. Discover your options.
Healthy function of joints is controlled by “chondrocytes,” mesenchymal stem cells that regulate replacement of damaged cells. When the balance between the supply of new cells is adequate to maintain healthy function, the body is in homeostasis. However, imbalance in this function leads to degeneration of tissue, such as osteoarthritis.
Research is beginning to dispel some of the mysteries surrounding the human body, particularly how the body regenerates tissue. In the early 1990s, scientists discovered small sections of RNA called microRNA or miRNA. This discovery allowed them to see more precisely how DNA functions in our bodies and the role these tiny molecules play in the process of regeneration of tissue.
The complex structure of ligaments and tendons that support our joints provides stability. They are composed of collagen, the most abundant protein in the body. Their tough, collagenous structure give the joint strength. This structure, however, also causes these tissues to have poor blood supply, making the joint prone to chronic conditions.
Every time you move, your muscles contract and relax. This process only takes a few seconds, but it is actually a quite complex process.
As we age, chronic injuries, along with normal wear and tear on our joints, often lead to arthritis. The smooth articular cartilage between the joints that cushions and protects begins to wear down, causing bones to rub against each other. Bone spurs often develop. The resulting friction leads to pain and swelling. This chronic inflammation results in arthritis and further degeneration of tissue.
Renaissance means rebirth or regeneration. Every few generations medicine takes a major turn. We’re at one of those junctures now with regenerative medicine — where healing is triggered from within the human body. It’s bringing a whole new universe to how physicians provide care.
CrossFit training is a beast unto itself. Perhaps, the strong communal nature of this sport helps to make it so. But, CrossFit entails more than just physical training… it is a way of life that views the body as a whole system rather than merely isolated structural elements.