Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

I attended a very thorough talk last week given by Dr. Steven Lee of Lenox Hill Hospital on the topic of PRP.

His main points included the idea that the research is very far behind with very few high or even moderate level research studies to support the use of PRP. The amount of variables that can influence the outcome of this treatment are vast and thus limit the research potential. Despite this lack of research it can certainly be a welcome treatment for those who have failed other forms of conventional treatment for their tendonopathy (not tendonitis, please make sure you speak with a health care professional about the difference). Eccentric training of the affected tendon and cross friction massage which is a much cheaper alternative to PRP as far as re-creating an inflammatory process have some favorable research studies and are worth a "shot" before trying PRP.

I do get concerned when MDs site one research article and are selling the product: http://www.orthopedicsurgerynyc.com/137759/2011/05/31/platelet-rich-plasma-injections-for-tennis-elbow.html#comments

I have not met Dr. Stein but I invite him to discuss his criteria for choosing a candidate for PRP. I have left a comment on his blog and will look forward to his response and update this post as to the outcome of that conversation.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

House

On the most recent episode of house
Dr.: "She is having a heart attack!"
Patient's Boyfriend: "That's impossible, she runs marathons"

Which leads me to where I have been hiding since my last post.
I have been in the process of starting my own CrossFit gym:
empirecitycrossfit.com


The quote regarding marathon runners connects to CrossFit not because all marathoners are at risk for heart disease, but they certainly are not free of it either as the boyfriend was implying, rather it has come to my attention that most people have gaps in their fitness. CrossFit is the most complete fitness approach I have seen to date and I have adopted it as part of my practice to help people reach their full potential in athletic performance.

If you are ever in NYC please come for a free trial class. See our website for schedule and details.
I hope to be continue to post here or back and forth with the CrossFit blog.

I also realize CrossFit is poorly understood (even worse than how physical therapy can often be perceived) thus, invite anyone to engage in a dialogue to foster the correct information about health and fitness becoming available.
I look forward to hearing from you!