[gatotom]

Ok, first my background were I am coming from. I was a pro ski racer in the early 70's and after over 5000 days hard skiing, well, you guessed it, worn out knees. 8 yrs ago my ortho md told me I was ready for knee replacement. I told him no way because stem cells in my opinion was the way to go, he agreed.

In the timeframe since then, I have taken synvisc injections to both knees with great results. Synvisc is pure hyaluoric acid which is kinda like thick motor oil between the cartilage. It was covered by insurance and the effectiveness lasted about 8 months. I have since taken hyaluronic acid capsules from pure encapsulations with decent results so I can function and a almost normal level, ex. no running but can bike ride fine.

Stem cells have been injected into people in the Seattle area for about 6 yrs now.

Not only are my knees trash but my shoulders are probably worse mostly the right shoulder. I ripped it out of the socket about 40 yrs ago in a mountain climbing slip. In the last 2-3 yrs the shoulder has been a level 7 pain 24/7. Time to do something, stem cells were injected into right shoulder 3 months ago. The shoulder should have been replaced with a titanium joint but no way. Now I am 80-90% pain free movement is slowly coming back. I had the classic bone marrow stem cells and adipose stem cells with blood platelets, 30 days later blood platelets again, cost 6500.00. Best money I have ever spent.

In july I will get my knees stem celled, 2 knees cost 11000.00

No insurance will at this time pay for stem cells. When it comes to insurance, show me the money.

I justify this expense, I have been on Medicare for 5 yrs and only have medicare, no supplement. The cost that I have saved in 5 yrs has paid for my stem cell injections. I got the kind of care I was willing to pay for and was not told by a for profit insurance what I can have or can't have. To say the least, I do not like insurance co in any fashion yet for the last 36 yrs I have jumped thru the hoops in my practice.

If anyone has questions, feel free to ask. Unless you are bone on bone, stem cells is the way to go unless you think cowboy carpentry to remove that joint and replace it with titanium sounds better.