I have heard that you can only have 3 cortisone injections over a lifetime. Is that true?

Corticosteroids are steroid medications that are frequently used to help minimize inflammation.  They can be administered orally, topically, or by injection into a specific area or intravascularly.  In contrast to anabolic steroids, which are those steroids that are used to build muscle mass, corticosteroids are catabolic steroids, which “break down” as opposed to “build up”.  […]

What are the facts and myths with Stem Cell injections?

Stem cells are progenitor cells in the body that have the ability to differentiate into different cell lines, thus, the ability to generate bone, soft tissue, cartilage, and organ tissue.  In the lab, cells can be made to differentiate and regenerate heart tissue, ear cartilage, etc.  To date, modifying stem cells is not approved by […]

I have heard about injecting “chicken fat” into knees. Can you tell me about that?

I think you are referring to hyaluronic acid injections.  Orthopedic surgeons have been using hyaluronic acid injections to help patients with knee arthritis for more than 20 years.  Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is present in the human body with highest concentrations in joints and eyes.  The substance gives joint fluid more viscosity and […]

Are there any supplements that are useful for knee health?

 This is a great question that I am frequently asked.  Before I answer, it must be pointed out that supplements are different than pharmaceuticals, or drugs.  For reasons of safety and patient’s interests, the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) has very stringent criteria and requirements for companies to bring a product to market.  […]

Am I a candidate for Cartilage Transplantation in my knee?

The knee has two different types of cartilage:  articular cartilage, the substance on the ends of the bones, which allow for a smooth articulation, and the meniscus cartilages, or shock absorbers, that are between the two bones of the knee.  Tears of the menisci are  the most common orthopedic disorder treated by orthopedic surgeons.  A […]

What does a Cortisone Injection do for my shoulder?

 Cortisone is the generic name for a host of different injectable corticosteroids.  These substances have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce inflammation in the location of the injection.  They can be injected  into many different locations in and around the shoulder.  By helping to reduce inflammation, they also then provide pain relief.  Cortisone injections, however, […]

Can you explain the difference between a Shoulder Arthroplasty and a Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty?

When a patient develops disabling symptoms as a result of arthritis, tumor, or other condition that destroys the joint, a joint replacement can be considered.   Arthritis is the most commonly seen in the knee and knee replacements are then the most common joint replacement.  However, shoulder replacements are also available for patients that develop […]