Dr. Andrews Using Stem Cells to Speed Recovery??

Use this thread as a learning opportunity. There seem to be a striking number of people who think the only source of stem cells are a human embryo, completely unaware that we are all walking around with them inside our body.

I agree. I did not mean to start any sort of debate - i was really just trying to paint a clear picture of the "stem cell debate" to explain why there are legitimate ethical concerns to certain types of stem cell research.

Most of us are not doctors (but some of us like to pretend to be, especially as it relates to RGIIIs knee). Its important for people to understand the distinction. The article which prompted this thread went out of its to make the distinction clear.

As to speculation that RGIII had stem cells injected in his knee - i think its pretty cool. I wonder if they'd have done the same thing for both knees to speed up recovery.

ok we can leave it at agree to disagree.

My opinion is that we probably agree on the same points, i just dont think we're understanding the intent behind eachothers posts. I do agree that the speculated surgery is pretty nifty stuff - i do wonder why Andrews would publically say they used stem cells from his pelvic bone in the press release on the surgery. I would imagine he's something of a pioneer with the surgery and I would imagine he'd want credit as such.

Report: Several Redskins players duped by fake woman (http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/01/23/nfl-redskins-duped-online-hoax/1859021/)

^^ lol :Flush:

I agree. I did not mean to start any sort of debate - i was really just trying to paint a clear picture of the "stem cell debate" to explain why there are legitimate ethical concerns to certain types of stem cell research.

Most of us are not doctors (but some of us like to pretend to be, especially as it relates to RGIIIs knee). Its important for people to understand the distinction. The article which prompted this thread went out of its to make the distinction clear.

As to speculation that RGIII had stem cells injected in his knee - i think its pretty cool. I wonder if they'd have done the same thing for both knees to speed up recovery.

I suppose it depends on how the stem cells help the knee heal. Are they helping the ligaments adhere to the bone with great strength in a quicker fashion? Seems that way, since the article states that they're injecting them into reconstructed joints to generate strength in the ligaments sooner. But what about grafted tendons? Will stem cells help the grafted tendon from his other knee heal stronger?

Suffice it to say that wherever Andrews thought it would aid the healing process, he is probably doing it. It's smart business and good medicine for him. Doing this enables him to heal patients faster and grow his cache as the miracle worker for sports medicine.

I think the takeaway here is that when Andrews says 6-8 months, there's a possible medical reason to believe in that prognosis. He's in a much better position to make that call than medical experts who've had nothing to do with RG3's surgery chirp about the typical recovery period for an ACL reconstruction.

I don't think Andrews would put his sterling reputation on the line to back an overly optimistic stance by the team. I understand he's collecting a fee from the team, but his own business incentive is to retain his sterling reputation as the sports medicine pioneer that he is, so he can continue raking it in from his fundamental business. What he earns from his sports medicine surgical business far outstrips any money he collects from the Redskins; he knows where his bread gets buttered.

My opinion is that we probably agree on the same points, i just dont think we're understanding the intent behind eachothers posts. I do agree that the speculated surgery is pretty nifty stuff - i do wonder why Andrews would publically say they used stem cells from his pelvic bone in the press release on the surgery. I would imagine he's something of a pioneer with the surgery and I would imagine he'd want credit as such.

I would guess that it will all come out, but it may be that he wants to do follow up, and is using the results as part of a research paper he wants to publish or he may just be concerned about patient privacy. I hadn't heard of AP using this therapy (granted I didn't follow his recovery much) so maybe Dr Andrews just allows time to pass so that any concerns the athlete may have about their own privacy are alleviated. (Can't see Griffin being a privacy hawk though).

I think the takeaway here is that when Andrews says 6-8 months, there's a possible medical reason to believe in that prognosis. He's in a much better position to make that call than medical experts who've had nothing to do with RG3's surgery chirp about the typical recovery period for an ACL reconstruction.

I don't think Andrews would put his sterling reputation on the line to back an overly optimistic stance by the team. I understand he's collecting a fee from the team, but his own business incentive is to retain his sterling reputation as the sports medicine pioneer that he is, so he can continue raking it in from his fundamental business. What he earns from his sports medicine surgical business far outstrips any money he collects from the Redskins; he knows where his bread gets buttered.

Nail on the head.

That was one of my first thoughts as well. Ireally dont like the leagues stance on HGH. In my opinion, HGH should be allowed to help players recover from injury faster. Its better for the league to have is players healthy. As long as the league would be allowed to approve HGH on a case by case basis (like they do with adderall), i dont see why they should have a problem with it.

It will never happen. Not on Goodell's watch.

I think the takeaway here is that when Andrews says 6-8 months, there's a possible medical reason to believe in that prognosis. He's in a much better position to make that call than medical experts who've had nothing to do with RG3's surgery chirp about the typical recovery period for an ACL reconstruction.

I don't think Andrews would put his sterling reputation on the line to back an overly optimistic stance by the team. I understand he's collecting a fee from the team, but his own business incentive is to retain his sterling reputation as the sports medicine pioneer that he is, so he can continue raking it in from his fundamental business. What he earns from his sports medicine surgical business far outstrips any money he collects from the Redskins; he knows where his bread gets buttered.

Agreed!! . . . This was the whole reason i posted the article in the first place . . . just to show there is reason for the hope that RGIII will be back for the start of the season!! . . . i wasn't trying to start a stem cell research debate, nor anything even remotely close to one.