Osteoarthritis Patient Stories
Owen Cooke (61 years old), Osteoarthritis and foot damage
I live near Dublin in Ireland.
At age about 25 years, I crashed a hang glider and smashed my right ankle. The main damage was to the talus, which was shattered. I also damaged my back.
Initially, I had the talus put together with 3 screws but pain was severe when walking. So five years later, I had the upper ankle joints fused using some bone from my hip.
This was ok, but gradually, walking became more difficult and I took up windsurfing as my only active sport.
Over the years, the remaining articulation in the foot became restricted and I damaged it several times windsurfing, particularly 2 years ago, when a high-impact jump resulted in almost permanent pain.
Sleep usually required a half bottle of wine or sometimes more, but I continued to windsurf. Over the last 2 years, I never went through airports without crutches and even on windsurfing trips I used crutches to get around when off the water. On the water, there was considerable pain but I love the sport and the work-out it gives.
Guy Cribb, a pro windsurfer, told me about some windsurfer he knew who got stem cell treatment for a knee problem and so my wife researched it.
I went to a leading foot surgeon shortly after the damage 2 years ago and he gave me no hope of any improvement. So, as an alternative to amputation or totally fusing the ankle joints, I decided to try stem cell treatment.
Without any surgeon's involvement I got in touch with the clinic and went there in September 2010.
The process took one week - tests day 1, bone marrow extraction from my hip day 2, x-ray scans day 3 , stem cell injection into joints day 5 and flight home day 6.
On the morning after treatment, I found my continuous pain was fully gone. At this stage, I had been using crutches full-time for the past 2 years; except around the house or office.
Now, just 10 weeks later, I don't need the crutches for any normal activity and while I used crutches for a recent flight, I didn't feel that I really needed them. I don't have the pain anymore and while I still have a poor foot, I feel that it is as good as it was before my accident 2 years ago. No more alcohol needed to sleep and little or no pain when on the water.
I don't know what the longer term benefit will be yet but I plan to try to get scans done to compare with the scans taken before treatment, to see if the cartilage in the ankle and foot is improving and re-growing.
If the improvement continues, I will consider having more stem cells collected and frozen for later treatment. I am 61 years old and I believe that the vitality of the stem cells will reduce as you get older.
My experience with the clinic was very pleasant - I loved the city- nice people, strange how few shops take credit cards. Food was great and far cheaper than Ireland.
The staff at the clinic was very friendly, efficient and overall I quite enjoyed the week.
Overall, I am very, very pleased with the result so far.
I live near Dublin in Ireland.
At age about 25 years, I crashed a hang glider and smashed my right ankle. The main damage was to the talus, which was shattered. I also damaged my back.
Initially, I had the talus put together with 3 screws but pain was severe when walking. So five years later, I had the upper ankle joints fused using some bone from my hip.
This was ok, but gradually, walking became more difficult and I took up windsurfing as my only active sport.
Over the years, the remaining articulation in the foot became restricted and I damaged it several times windsurfing, particularly 2 years ago, when a high-impact jump resulted in almost permanent pain.
Sleep usually required a half bottle of wine or sometimes more, but I continued to windsurf. Over the last 2 years, I never went through airports without crutches and even on windsurfing trips I used crutches to get around when off the water. On the water, there was considerable pain but I love the sport and the work-out it gives.
Guy Cribb, a pro windsurfer, told me about some windsurfer he knew who got stem cell treatment for a knee problem and so my wife researched it.
I went to a leading foot surgeon shortly after the damage 2 years ago and he gave me no hope of any improvement. So, as an alternative to amputation or totally fusing the ankle joints, I decided to try stem cell treatment.
Without any surgeon's involvement I got in touch with the clinic and went there in September 2010.
The process took one week - tests day 1, bone marrow extraction from my hip day 2, x-ray scans day 3 , stem cell injection into joints day 5 and flight home day 6.
On the morning after treatment, I found my continuous pain was fully gone. At this stage, I had been using crutches full-time for the past 2 years; except around the house or office.
Now, just 10 weeks later, I don't need the crutches for any normal activity and while I used crutches for a recent flight, I didn't feel that I really needed them. I don't have the pain anymore and while I still have a poor foot, I feel that it is as good as it was before my accident 2 years ago. No more alcohol needed to sleep and little or no pain when on the water.
I don't know what the longer term benefit will be yet but I plan to try to get scans done to compare with the scans taken before treatment, to see if the cartilage in the ankle and foot is improving and re-growing.
If the improvement continues, I will consider having more stem cells collected and frozen for later treatment. I am 61 years old and I believe that the vitality of the stem cells will reduce as you get older.
My experience with the clinic was very pleasant - I loved the city- nice people, strange how few shops take credit cards. Food was great and far cheaper than Ireland.
The staff at the clinic was very friendly, efficient and overall I quite enjoyed the week.
Overall, I am very, very pleased with the result so far.
Malcolm Pasley, Osteoarthritis in the knee
Home: New Zealand
Cartilage removed from knee after skiing accident; pain, swelling & osteoarthritis.
At the beginning of 2010 I met some people at Nelson airport who told me about their son getting stem cell treatment in Germany for his legs to help him walk which was an almost too good to be true story and made me think about my knee.
I then decided to see an Orthopaedic doctor early in 2010 who after seeing xrays of both knees said I had Osteoarthritis especially where the cartilage had been removed. He said it was something I would have to live with and suggested doing cycling to improve it but the evential outcome would be to get a knee replacement which I did not want.
I started researching on the Internet about stem cells as I had never heard of them before. I got information about how they do it in China, Mexico, Costa Rica and Germany and got in contact with the clinic after filling out an online treatment evaluation form. It was explained to me how the treatment is administered and that stem cells being injected into my knee may help but there was no guarantee. I weighed up the expense against the possibility of fixing up my knees and decided to give it a go and flew direct to the clinic to discuss more details before getting the treatment. My final treatment date was set for 22 July 2010.
I had to visit the first hospital for an hour to get a blood test the first day, the second day they extracted the bone marrow from my hip using a syringe which only took five minutes - it was an unusual suction feeling, the third day they took CT scans of my knees and the last day the stem cells were injected into both knees and my arm which was also painless. Each time I visited the hospital I met other patients from various countries and had some interesting discussions.
I found that the medical staff very professional and competent; explaining each step carefully.
After receiving the stem cell injections and when I was able to walk, I noticed a huge difference and was able to do various exercises that I had not been able to do for a few years.
The doctor who administered the injections suggested that I cycle as much as possible; especially during the first 2 weeks, which is when the stem cells move around your knee cap healing everything they contact. So, I headed to Leipzig and cycled around the region, then spent a month in Thailand going to the gym, etc., then returned to New Zealand via Australia.
It has been about 7 weeks since the stem cells were administered and I notice a huge improvement in both knees while at work. I can do squats and go jogging which previously had not been able to for a few years without my knee swelling up quite large. It has stopped swelling altogether. I used to go skiing and do karate which are two sports I probably could do again. I now do a lot of cycling with no knee pain or swelling, which is great.
I would recommend this type of treatment to anyone with knee, hip, elbow, shoulder pain or osteoarthritis.
Home: New Zealand
Cartilage removed from knee after skiing accident; pain, swelling & osteoarthritis.
At the beginning of 2010 I met some people at Nelson airport who told me about their son getting stem cell treatment in Germany for his legs to help him walk which was an almost too good to be true story and made me think about my knee.
I then decided to see an Orthopaedic doctor early in 2010 who after seeing xrays of both knees said I had Osteoarthritis especially where the cartilage had been removed. He said it was something I would have to live with and suggested doing cycling to improve it but the evential outcome would be to get a knee replacement which I did not want.
I started researching on the Internet about stem cells as I had never heard of them before. I got information about how they do it in China, Mexico, Costa Rica and Germany and got in contact with the clinic after filling out an online treatment evaluation form. It was explained to me how the treatment is administered and that stem cells being injected into my knee may help but there was no guarantee. I weighed up the expense against the possibility of fixing up my knees and decided to give it a go and flew direct to the clinic to discuss more details before getting the treatment. My final treatment date was set for 22 July 2010.
I had to visit the first hospital for an hour to get a blood test the first day, the second day they extracted the bone marrow from my hip using a syringe which only took five minutes - it was an unusual suction feeling, the third day they took CT scans of my knees and the last day the stem cells were injected into both knees and my arm which was also painless. Each time I visited the hospital I met other patients from various countries and had some interesting discussions.
I found that the medical staff very professional and competent; explaining each step carefully.
After receiving the stem cell injections and when I was able to walk, I noticed a huge difference and was able to do various exercises that I had not been able to do for a few years.
The doctor who administered the injections suggested that I cycle as much as possible; especially during the first 2 weeks, which is when the stem cells move around your knee cap healing everything they contact. So, I headed to Leipzig and cycled around the region, then spent a month in Thailand going to the gym, etc., then returned to New Zealand via Australia.
It has been about 7 weeks since the stem cells were administered and I notice a huge improvement in both knees while at work. I can do squats and go jogging which previously had not been able to for a few years without my knee swelling up quite large. It has stopped swelling altogether. I used to go skiing and do karate which are two sports I probably could do again. I now do a lot of cycling with no knee pain or swelling, which is great.
I would recommend this type of treatment to anyone with knee, hip, elbow, shoulder pain or osteoarthritis.
Robert Da Prato (64 years old), Osteoarthritis in the knees
Residence: Perth, Australia
Written letter to patient advisor
Sorry I did not get back to you earlier, and also sorry that I did not catch up with you back in town. You wanted to know how the stem cell treatment affected me? Well, this is my experience.
I arrived at the clinic on a Monday in mid-February, 2010 where they explained all the legal procedures and took blood samples. Then, they extracted the bone marrow from my hip. I returned one day later. My stem cells were ready and were injected into my knees.
I then met friend I knew and traveled to a city called Archam. I can say that after three days, I felt much better. I could walk and there was no pain in my knees. I felt a bit sick while I was in Archam and I contacted your doctor. He thought I caught a local bug that was going around at the time. After we left Archam, we visited more places along the Rhine. I had no further problems and no side-effects.
Upon my return to Australia, and a much warmer climate, I felt excellent until two months later. My left knee was still excellent but my right knee was beginning to hurt again. It has now been three months since my treatment and I've been using a prescribed drug called MOBIC for my arthritis. I think that the winter weather and this drug might be the reason for my right knee not performing as good as my left.
At the moment, I feel much better than I was before but I think my right knee needs more attention. This morning, I attempted to run; something I have not been able to do for years. I felt like I could have run on my left knee but my right knee was slowing me down. However, I am happy. Perhaps in a few more months, my situation will improve. I will keep you posted.
By the way, since I have returned to Australia, I've been overwhelmed by requests from people who want to learn about this procedure. I've used up all of the pamphlets I took from the clinic in English and I believe some people are on their way to you. If I could have more, I will make sure that people are well informed here in Australia!
Best regards for now and please feel free to use my information for further publication. You are doing great work! Please keep me informed on any new progress.
Residence: Perth, Australia
Written letter to patient advisor
Sorry I did not get back to you earlier, and also sorry that I did not catch up with you back in town. You wanted to know how the stem cell treatment affected me? Well, this is my experience.
I arrived at the clinic on a Monday in mid-February, 2010 where they explained all the legal procedures and took blood samples. Then, they extracted the bone marrow from my hip. I returned one day later. My stem cells were ready and were injected into my knees.
I then met friend I knew and traveled to a city called Archam. I can say that after three days, I felt much better. I could walk and there was no pain in my knees. I felt a bit sick while I was in Archam and I contacted your doctor. He thought I caught a local bug that was going around at the time. After we left Archam, we visited more places along the Rhine. I had no further problems and no side-effects.
Upon my return to Australia, and a much warmer climate, I felt excellent until two months later. My left knee was still excellent but my right knee was beginning to hurt again. It has now been three months since my treatment and I've been using a prescribed drug called MOBIC for my arthritis. I think that the winter weather and this drug might be the reason for my right knee not performing as good as my left.
At the moment, I feel much better than I was before but I think my right knee needs more attention. This morning, I attempted to run; something I have not been able to do for years. I felt like I could have run on my left knee but my right knee was slowing me down. However, I am happy. Perhaps in a few more months, my situation will improve. I will keep you posted.
By the way, since I have returned to Australia, I've been overwhelmed by requests from people who want to learn about this procedure. I've used up all of the pamphlets I took from the clinic in English and I believe some people are on their way to you. If I could have more, I will make sure that people are well informed here in Australia!
Best regards for now and please feel free to use my information for further publication. You are doing great work! Please keep me informed on any new progress.
Wendy Funston (57 years old), Osteoarthritis in the hands, feet, knees and elbows
Resides: Cyprus
Story Date: March 15, 2010
I am 57 and South African by birth. I have lived in Seychelles, Paris and now in Cyprus since 14 years where I do interior design. I started with osteoarthritis about ten years ago. My ther suffered with osteoarthritis from about the age of 50 for the rest of her life.
My osteoarthritis started mainly in my hands and then spread to my elbows and knees following the use of exercise machines. It started later in my feet.
I have always used my hands a lot and enjoy many different arts and crafts. I am doing mosaic and painting on porcelain at the moment. My hands have gradually got worse over the years and not only were they very painful but they became stiff and unsightly with large swellings on the joints.
I read an article about stem cell therapy in an English Sunday newspaper and also in the Financial Times and of course on the Internet.
A case manager was allocated to my case and she was extremely helpful and very encouraging about the results of stem cell therapy.
I sent her my X-rays and was given an appointment within a month to have the treatment.
The clinic, the doctor and all the nurses all spoke English very well and were extremely helpful and kind. The stem cell therapy was carried out in a most professional way. From the moment my stem-cells (some 6.5 million) were injected into my hand joints, into my elbows, knees and feet. I HAD NO MORE PAIN...
The treatment was done at the beginning of November (2009) and since then I HAVE BEEN PAIN FREE!!!! I can highly recommend this treatment to anyone suffering with osteoarthritis and the sooner one has it done the better!
Resides: Cyprus
Story Date: March 15, 2010
I am 57 and South African by birth. I have lived in Seychelles, Paris and now in Cyprus since 14 years where I do interior design. I started with osteoarthritis about ten years ago. My ther suffered with osteoarthritis from about the age of 50 for the rest of her life.
My osteoarthritis started mainly in my hands and then spread to my elbows and knees following the use of exercise machines. It started later in my feet.
I have always used my hands a lot and enjoy many different arts and crafts. I am doing mosaic and painting on porcelain at the moment. My hands have gradually got worse over the years and not only were they very painful but they became stiff and unsightly with large swellings on the joints.
I read an article about stem cell therapy in an English Sunday newspaper and also in the Financial Times and of course on the Internet.
A case manager was allocated to my case and she was extremely helpful and very encouraging about the results of stem cell therapy.
I sent her my X-rays and was given an appointment within a month to have the treatment.
The clinic, the doctor and all the nurses all spoke English very well and were extremely helpful and kind. The stem cell therapy was carried out in a most professional way. From the moment my stem-cells (some 6.5 million) were injected into my hand joints, into my elbows, knees and feet. I HAD NO MORE PAIN...
The treatment was done at the beginning of November (2009) and since then I HAVE BEEN PAIN FREE!!!! I can highly recommend this treatment to anyone suffering with osteoarthritis and the sooner one has it done the better!
Vassilis Ferentouros (49 years old), Knee arthritis, edema and osteonecrosis of the left knee
Athens, Greece
I have been an active athlete all my life and frequently enjoyed water skiing, tennis, alpine skiing and jogging. I have suffered from recurring knee problems for the past 10 years. The first problem in my left knee appeared in 1998 with a knee-locking syndrome. An arthroscopy showed that my femur's condyle cartilage was damaged, so the treating physician proceeded with debridement and some Pridie drilling. I was fine and free of pain for the next 5 years and I was able to maintain my pre-treatment activity levels.
However, severe knee pain returned in 2003 and the MRI showed further deterioration of the cartilage. Another arthroscopy with debridement and some Pridie drilling was performed, during which my treating physician noticed that the problem was more severe than anticipated. The cartilage of the inner condyle and the trochlea was severely damaged. The lesions were approximately 12 and 10 square centimeters respectively. My doctor recommended osteotomy to reduce the stress on the condyle but I wanted to wait and seek less invasive solutions.
In February 2004, I decided to proceed with an Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation; a very complicated and delicate surgery which lasted about 10 hours. During this procedure about 26 Millionchondrocytes were implanted. Then I underwent a rehabilitation program for about 1 year. A follow-up arthroscopy in February 2005 showed that 100% of the condyle and about 80 % of the trochlea cartilage had re-grown. Afterward however, I discontinued my active sports life and, as a consequence, gained about 20 kg.
Stem Cell Therapy
The knee started to hurt severely again in 2008. An MRI confirmed an edema and an osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle. I was told that an artificial knee might be my only option, but a relative of mine who is a research professor advised me to wait a little for further progress of new autologous adult stem cell therapies that seemed very promising to him. At that point, I began to investigate this subject.
When the orthopedist saw my MRI, he was not particularly positive about the possible outcome and confirmed the difficult situation of my knee. But he too advised me to give it a try. I agreed and after collecting a small amount of bone marrow and separating the stem cells from it at a cGMP laboratory, he injected them into my knee.
Results
Pre-treatment MRI with subchondral edema.
Post-treatment MRI with decreased subchondral edema.
Post-treatment MRI (After 2 years)
The post-treatment MRI showed a distinct decrease of the subchondral edema. Prior to my stem cell treatment I was neither able to walk nor drive a car without pain medication. I immediately stopped taking the pain medication after therapy and my pain diminished. I was able to run 50 meters a few weeks ago, which is tremendous progress for me.
Currently, I am trying to lose the excess weight. To me stem cell therapy seemed like the best, last resort. Compared to the more invasive, time consuming, physically straining surgical options that were offered to me, stem cell therapy appears to be a minimally invasive, cost effective procedure that has brought me excellent results.
Athens, Greece
I have been an active athlete all my life and frequently enjoyed water skiing, tennis, alpine skiing and jogging. I have suffered from recurring knee problems for the past 10 years. The first problem in my left knee appeared in 1998 with a knee-locking syndrome. An arthroscopy showed that my femur's condyle cartilage was damaged, so the treating physician proceeded with debridement and some Pridie drilling. I was fine and free of pain for the next 5 years and I was able to maintain my pre-treatment activity levels.
However, severe knee pain returned in 2003 and the MRI showed further deterioration of the cartilage. Another arthroscopy with debridement and some Pridie drilling was performed, during which my treating physician noticed that the problem was more severe than anticipated. The cartilage of the inner condyle and the trochlea was severely damaged. The lesions were approximately 12 and 10 square centimeters respectively. My doctor recommended osteotomy to reduce the stress on the condyle but I wanted to wait and seek less invasive solutions.
In February 2004, I decided to proceed with an Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation; a very complicated and delicate surgery which lasted about 10 hours. During this procedure about 26 Millionchondrocytes were implanted. Then I underwent a rehabilitation program for about 1 year. A follow-up arthroscopy in February 2005 showed that 100% of the condyle and about 80 % of the trochlea cartilage had re-grown. Afterward however, I discontinued my active sports life and, as a consequence, gained about 20 kg.
Stem Cell Therapy
The knee started to hurt severely again in 2008. An MRI confirmed an edema and an osteonecrosis of the femoral condyle. I was told that an artificial knee might be my only option, but a relative of mine who is a research professor advised me to wait a little for further progress of new autologous adult stem cell therapies that seemed very promising to him. At that point, I began to investigate this subject.
When the orthopedist saw my MRI, he was not particularly positive about the possible outcome and confirmed the difficult situation of my knee. But he too advised me to give it a try. I agreed and after collecting a small amount of bone marrow and separating the stem cells from it at a cGMP laboratory, he injected them into my knee.
Results
Pre-treatment MRI with subchondral edema.
Post-treatment MRI with decreased subchondral edema.
Post-treatment MRI (After 2 years)
The post-treatment MRI showed a distinct decrease of the subchondral edema. Prior to my stem cell treatment I was neither able to walk nor drive a car without pain medication. I immediately stopped taking the pain medication after therapy and my pain diminished. I was able to run 50 meters a few weeks ago, which is tremendous progress for me.
Currently, I am trying to lose the excess weight. To me stem cell therapy seemed like the best, last resort. Compared to the more invasive, time consuming, physically straining surgical options that were offered to me, stem cell therapy appears to be a minimally invasive, cost effective procedure that has brought me excellent results.
John Robson (61 years old), Osteoarthritis
I'm a 61-year-old entrepreneur with my own plumbing and heating engineering business; which employs a number of people. Since about my 50th birthday, I started to get pains in my ankles and was soon diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Now combine this with my work, wherein I kneel and squat down a lot, during long working days, and you'll understand that my ankles have a lot to endure.
The osteoarthritis developed rather rapidly and the condition of my ankles worsened. I consequently had four operations on my ankles, alternating on the left and right ankles. During these operations they would clean out any scar tissue and smoothen the joint.
To illustrate the discomfort I was in at work, for any fifteen minutes working while kneeling or squatting down, I would need fifteen minutes to recover. And before I went to sleep, I always did some stretching exercises to alleviate the pain so I was able to sleep. The pain during the night, I describe as a dull pain, always there,and never giving me much rest. It would on occasion wake me up or prevent me from having a deep sleep.
About three years ago, I was on the verge of undergoing a rather invasive operation. As the doctors no longer saw much possibilities of improvement with the condition my ankles were in. I had to choose between either replacing each ankle with a prosthesis, or fusing the ankle joint and limiting its movement. Regardless of my choice, I would not be able to work for 18 months, and would need extensive medical rehabilitation. It would take two of these operations, first one ankle and six months later the other. It was literally on the day of the operation that I decided that I could not afford to proceed with it, neither mentally, physically, nor financially.
At that point, I kind of gave up the hope for an alternative solution. I just kept going in pain. One person refused to believe I ran out of options- my secretary. She started delving into the vast amount of information on the internet, in secrecy, as she did not want me to get my hopes up too high. Only when she had already contacted the clinic and needed to provide medical information, she told me.
Results after Stem Cell Treatment
I did not expect my ankles to be pain-free ever again. But here I am, just three months after my stem cells were injected into my ankle joints, almost pain-free. The pain in my left ankle is virtually gone, while I do feel pain in my right ankle, but not as much as before. Furthermore, the time needed to recover from kneeling or squatting is now reduced to just a minute or so. And I can finally have a good night sleep, without my ankles waking me up.
The MRI scan showed a very thin film of cartilage left on the top joint of each ankle. That might just have been enough for the stem cell treatment to work. I'm planning a follow-up MRI scan as I'm very curious if the results will show something different than the previous scan did.
I would just like to say one thing about the clinic: the people there are marvelous. They've left me with such a good feeling, even if the treatments did not succeed, I would have left feeling much better. Everyone needs a little bit of personal attention now and then.
I'm a husband, a father of two sons and a daughter, and a grandfather of six. I really feel the quality of my life has improved since the treatment. I'm cautious with my ankles as I don't want to destroy the gains that I have made, so I'll only walk right now. But who knows, one day I might run with these little fellows again.
I'm a 61-year-old entrepreneur with my own plumbing and heating engineering business; which employs a number of people. Since about my 50th birthday, I started to get pains in my ankles and was soon diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Now combine this with my work, wherein I kneel and squat down a lot, during long working days, and you'll understand that my ankles have a lot to endure.
The osteoarthritis developed rather rapidly and the condition of my ankles worsened. I consequently had four operations on my ankles, alternating on the left and right ankles. During these operations they would clean out any scar tissue and smoothen the joint.
To illustrate the discomfort I was in at work, for any fifteen minutes working while kneeling or squatting down, I would need fifteen minutes to recover. And before I went to sleep, I always did some stretching exercises to alleviate the pain so I was able to sleep. The pain during the night, I describe as a dull pain, always there,and never giving me much rest. It would on occasion wake me up or prevent me from having a deep sleep.
About three years ago, I was on the verge of undergoing a rather invasive operation. As the doctors no longer saw much possibilities of improvement with the condition my ankles were in. I had to choose between either replacing each ankle with a prosthesis, or fusing the ankle joint and limiting its movement. Regardless of my choice, I would not be able to work for 18 months, and would need extensive medical rehabilitation. It would take two of these operations, first one ankle and six months later the other. It was literally on the day of the operation that I decided that I could not afford to proceed with it, neither mentally, physically, nor financially.
At that point, I kind of gave up the hope for an alternative solution. I just kept going in pain. One person refused to believe I ran out of options- my secretary. She started delving into the vast amount of information on the internet, in secrecy, as she did not want me to get my hopes up too high. Only when she had already contacted the clinic and needed to provide medical information, she told me.
Results after Stem Cell Treatment
I did not expect my ankles to be pain-free ever again. But here I am, just three months after my stem cells were injected into my ankle joints, almost pain-free. The pain in my left ankle is virtually gone, while I do feel pain in my right ankle, but not as much as before. Furthermore, the time needed to recover from kneeling or squatting is now reduced to just a minute or so. And I can finally have a good night sleep, without my ankles waking me up.
The MRI scan showed a very thin film of cartilage left on the top joint of each ankle. That might just have been enough for the stem cell treatment to work. I'm planning a follow-up MRI scan as I'm very curious if the results will show something different than the previous scan did.
I would just like to say one thing about the clinic: the people there are marvelous. They've left me with such a good feeling, even if the treatments did not succeed, I would have left feeling much better. Everyone needs a little bit of personal attention now and then.
I'm a husband, a father of two sons and a daughter, and a grandfather of six. I really feel the quality of my life has improved since the treatment. I'm cautious with my ankles as I don't want to destroy the gains that I have made, so I'll only walk right now. But who knows, one day I might run with these little fellows again.
Helga Borgers (75 years old), Osteomyelitis
I was diagnosed with rheumatism many years ago and more than 18 years ago, my right ankle had to be fused surgically. Since then I have had an ulcerated ankle with severe pain. Throughout the many years, 6 bone splitters broke out of the affected leg; the bone splitters poked painfully into the ulcerous tissue and my foot was constantly inflamed. No real diagnosis was ever made, it was blamed on my rheumatism and I was just given stronger painkillers and had to wear orthopedic boots, bacause the deformed ankle since and I walk on a tendon. My suffering can hardly be described, and the pain that I had to endure - despite the potent painkillers - robbed me of any hope. In the diary I kept after the latest hospitalization to adjust my pain medication (to morphine, steadily increased until I was up to 360 mg per day), I continuously expressed my desire to die. The leg was ulcerated up to the knee by this time. I could no longer ride a bike or drive. The hospice work that I had taken up after the death of my husband, which was very important to me, became more and more difficult until finally I had to give it up entirely. I could no longer participate in normal life, sat around helplessly in my wheelchair, and just kept falling asleep - sedated from morphine and other medication.
My children were very worried about me and brought me to Hamburg to see a specialist for osteomyelitis. A bacterial bone infection was finally diagnosed. The leg was supposed to be amputated below the knee, but my general condition was so poor and the infected area so large that none of the doctors wanted to risk surgery. Instead, as a last option, antibiotic beads were to be implanted into the leg. After this operation, I would have had to be in the wheelchair for another year and the prospects for success were not great. At the most, the treatment would only reduce my pain and the infection. By this time, the cocktail that I was taking daily for pain - at the end I was taking 360 mg of morphine, 6 x Novalgin, 2 x Sevredol and 2 x 100 mg Lyrica - was getting hard to control. An operation to implant a pain pump was called off one day before the procedure because of the ulcerous wound and I completely gave up all hope. One day later (Saturday, 6 Oct. 2007), my sister-in-law in Bergisch Gladbach sent me an article from a church newsletter about the "miracle of Cologne" - treatment with adult autologous stem cells. It sounded too good to be true, but it was our last hope and there were no other options. My liver and kidneys would not be able to handle the medication much longer and my leg was close to bursting open. Today, we view it as a "sign" from heaven.
Stem Cell Therapy
On 8 October 2007, my daughter called and on 10 October 2007 she drove me straight to the clinic, where stem cells were harvested from the marrow of my hipbone the same day. One week later, on 17 October 2007, the physician implanted the stem cells in several injections into the area around the wound, as the skin of my foot had by now broken open, and into the groin and both thighs.
In January 2008, the leg had already healed over and the pain was greatly reduced. Although my case had been considered hopeless! But as a result of the many years of dependency on medication, I was still not yet well and shortly after the stem cell therapy, I began to gradually reduce the huge amounts of pain medication I had been taking, aided by my family physician. It was a long, hard road; I lost 15 kg, had severe withdrawal symptoms, and suffered from sleep problems, chills and abdominal cramps. I truly struggled and I am very grateful for the help and support of my children and my family doctor. Since 27 July 2008 I have been off the medication. The ulcer and the osteomyelitis is completely healed. My physicians are astounded and would not believe it if they had not seen it with their own eyes. I needed new orthopedic shoes, as the ulcerous leg was 6 cm thinner after healing. The withdrawal caused my eyesight to deteriorate from 60% to 30%; eye surgery this spring with lens replacement improved my vision to 80%.
My Life Today
Today, I am again involved in the hospice work that has given me so much strength for over 15 years. I can drive and ride a bike again, and I take my grandchildren to the zoo and can walk for hours. I need some light pain medication only if I have been on my feet for more than 3-4 hours. My quality of life has improved tremendously and I am enjoying life again. One of my sons, who financed my stem cell therapy, recently told someone that his mother would certainly outlive him, especially after having seen her play football with her grandchildren. Shortly before the stem cell therapy was carried out, my daughter thought I had no more than two months to live because of the terrible condition I was in. I view the fact that I was able to start a new, pain free life at nearly age 75 as a sign that I am still needed a little and as a great gift. I hope that by telling my story, I can help many patients in a similar situation.
I was diagnosed with rheumatism many years ago and more than 18 years ago, my right ankle had to be fused surgically. Since then I have had an ulcerated ankle with severe pain. Throughout the many years, 6 bone splitters broke out of the affected leg; the bone splitters poked painfully into the ulcerous tissue and my foot was constantly inflamed. No real diagnosis was ever made, it was blamed on my rheumatism and I was just given stronger painkillers and had to wear orthopedic boots, bacause the deformed ankle since and I walk on a tendon. My suffering can hardly be described, and the pain that I had to endure - despite the potent painkillers - robbed me of any hope. In the diary I kept after the latest hospitalization to adjust my pain medication (to morphine, steadily increased until I was up to 360 mg per day), I continuously expressed my desire to die. The leg was ulcerated up to the knee by this time. I could no longer ride a bike or drive. The hospice work that I had taken up after the death of my husband, which was very important to me, became more and more difficult until finally I had to give it up entirely. I could no longer participate in normal life, sat around helplessly in my wheelchair, and just kept falling asleep - sedated from morphine and other medication.
My children were very worried about me and brought me to Hamburg to see a specialist for osteomyelitis. A bacterial bone infection was finally diagnosed. The leg was supposed to be amputated below the knee, but my general condition was so poor and the infected area so large that none of the doctors wanted to risk surgery. Instead, as a last option, antibiotic beads were to be implanted into the leg. After this operation, I would have had to be in the wheelchair for another year and the prospects for success were not great. At the most, the treatment would only reduce my pain and the infection. By this time, the cocktail that I was taking daily for pain - at the end I was taking 360 mg of morphine, 6 x Novalgin, 2 x Sevredol and 2 x 100 mg Lyrica - was getting hard to control. An operation to implant a pain pump was called off one day before the procedure because of the ulcerous wound and I completely gave up all hope. One day later (Saturday, 6 Oct. 2007), my sister-in-law in Bergisch Gladbach sent me an article from a church newsletter about the "miracle of Cologne" - treatment with adult autologous stem cells. It sounded too good to be true, but it was our last hope and there were no other options. My liver and kidneys would not be able to handle the medication much longer and my leg was close to bursting open. Today, we view it as a "sign" from heaven.
Stem Cell Therapy
On 8 October 2007, my daughter called and on 10 October 2007 she drove me straight to the clinic, where stem cells were harvested from the marrow of my hipbone the same day. One week later, on 17 October 2007, the physician implanted the stem cells in several injections into the area around the wound, as the skin of my foot had by now broken open, and into the groin and both thighs.
In January 2008, the leg had already healed over and the pain was greatly reduced. Although my case had been considered hopeless! But as a result of the many years of dependency on medication, I was still not yet well and shortly after the stem cell therapy, I began to gradually reduce the huge amounts of pain medication I had been taking, aided by my family physician. It was a long, hard road; I lost 15 kg, had severe withdrawal symptoms, and suffered from sleep problems, chills and abdominal cramps. I truly struggled and I am very grateful for the help and support of my children and my family doctor. Since 27 July 2008 I have been off the medication. The ulcer and the osteomyelitis is completely healed. My physicians are astounded and would not believe it if they had not seen it with their own eyes. I needed new orthopedic shoes, as the ulcerous leg was 6 cm thinner after healing. The withdrawal caused my eyesight to deteriorate from 60% to 30%; eye surgery this spring with lens replacement improved my vision to 80%.
My Life Today
Today, I am again involved in the hospice work that has given me so much strength for over 15 years. I can drive and ride a bike again, and I take my grandchildren to the zoo and can walk for hours. I need some light pain medication only if I have been on my feet for more than 3-4 hours. My quality of life has improved tremendously and I am enjoying life again. One of my sons, who financed my stem cell therapy, recently told someone that his mother would certainly outlive him, especially after having seen her play football with her grandchildren. Shortly before the stem cell therapy was carried out, my daughter thought I had no more than two months to live because of the terrible condition I was in. I view the fact that I was able to start a new, pain free life at nearly age 75 as a sign that I am still needed a little and as a great gift. I hope that by telling my story, I can help many patients in a similar situation.
