Dr. Andrews Using Stem Cells to Speed Recovery??

Bone marrow? Wow that must be extremely painful to acquire.

Yes it is and I had to watch as they did it to my oldest daughter. If you ever have to have it done tell them you want to be knocked out. My duaghter was under pretty good but as we waited for her drugs to kick in I heard several other who must not have taken enough drugs. They drill it out by twisting that green tool into the pelvis bone and then they suck out a sample.

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4903552147260985&pid=1.7&w=197&h=148&c=7&rs=1

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.

This does not sound like a Dr. who is not willing to put his sterling reputation on the line.

(This is a statement from Dr Andrews before the Redskins Seahawks game.)
“I’ve been a nervous wreck letting him come back as quick as he has,” Andrews added. “He’s doing a lot better this week, but he’s still recovering and I’m holding my breath because of it.”

Remember RG3 was 4 weeks into a "lvl 1 sprain" why so much concern? If he's a nervous wreck then he should not have cleared him for play, yet he did. Pass the butter please...

there's nothing scientifically controversial about stem cells. they work. amazingly well in a lot of cases. I'm not a big fan of burying our collective head in the sand because some people have religious heebeejeebees about even mentioning them (even non embrionic).

Yes it is and I had to watch as they did it to my oldest daughter. If you ever have to have it done tell them you want to be knocked out. My duaghter was under pretty good but as we waited for her drugs to kick in I heard several other who must not have taken enough drugs. They drill it out by twisting that green tool into the pelvis bone and then they suck out a sample.

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4903552147260985&pid=1.7&w=197&h=148&c=7&rs=1

Most likely the sample was taken while he was under anesthesia. And the picture above is of an interosseous kit, basically an IV that goes into the bone, usually the femur, rather than a vein. Us medics use em in the army, since it is easier to screw in the catheter rather than looking for a vein on a soldier that is under 50 lbs of gear, long sleeves and is dehydrated most likely. The process for removing actual bone marrow is a little more delicate than just shoving the corkscrew needle into the bone. Its akin to getting a spinal, just on a different part of the body, and is usually done in the operating room.

there's nothing scientifically controversial about stem cells. they work. amazingly well in a lot of cases. I'm not a big fan of burying our collective head in the sand because some people have religious heebeejeebees about even mentioning them (even non embrionic).

That was my point above. You put it clearer. Thank you.

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

I agree with you - I just don't understand it. The league should support any treatments that help players recover more quickly and/or effectively... It's just good business.

Hmmm.....a drill into your pelvis......
gak

Adrian Peterson warns against RG3 injury comparisons - NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000130270/article/adrian-peterson-warns-against-rg3-injury-comparisons)

Another source of stem cells.

Cord Blood FAQs (http://marrow.org/Get_Involved/Donate_Cord_Blood/Cord_Blood_FAQs.aspx)

Adrian Peterson warns against RG3 injury comparisons - NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000130270/article/adrian-peterson-warns-against-rg3-injury-comparisons)

Wow, if I were Bob Griff, I would find this a little condescending:


This is also a matter of genetics," Peterson said. "Look at my dad. And my mom's side, my aunts and uncles, they're all ripped. At 50 years old, they've got six packs and eight packs.

"My body just heals differently. I know it has a lot to do with rehabilitation and work ethic -- but I really credit my genetics for my recovery as much as anything else.

I have no problem with the suggestion that Peterson is a genetic marvel. But if I were Griffin I'd be like yo holmes, what am I, chopped liver? There's a reason I can run a 4.3 and win at hurdles and throw a ball on a dime. Jamaal Charles is another example of a lightning-quick-but-wiry athlete coming back strong from an ACL.

Elite athletes tend to heal quickly, and maybe this stem cell treatment has something to do with it. Being an elite athlete and healer is not exclusive to Adrian Peterson.