West Suburban Surgeon Treats Knee Pain...With Amniotic Fluid

Amniotic fluid left over from healthy pregnancies may now relieve the crippling pain of osteoarthritis for thousands in the Western suburbs.

Dr. Mitchell Sheinkop, Professor Emeritus of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush Medical Center is testing whether purified amniotic fluid from healthy caesarian section deliveries can reverse osteoarthritis of the knee. The surgeon has founded the Center For Orthobiologics in Des Plaines.

At some point knee osteoarthritis affects one in two adults. Osteoarthritis occurs when the joint's cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and problems moving the joint.

"There's a remarkable similarity between synovial fluid and amniotic fluid," says the well-known surgeon. "Both naturally function to protect, cushion, and reduce the inflammation of their contents. Both contain the same lubricating chemicals like hyaluronic acid, identical growth factors, nutritional ingredients, and compounds to prevent inflammation and infection."

Dr. Sheinkop has spent his career pioneering less invasive joint implant surgery. The surgeon's new facility, the Center For Orthobiologics, has become a national center for research and clinical testing of new non-surgical biologic joint treatments.

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Last June researchers released the results of injecting a single dose of partially purified amniotic fluid directly into the knee cavities of 500 arthritis patients. After 90 days patients reported 63% less pain and 60% better mobility. No patient had serious side effects.

Dr. Sheinkop says, "Now we're asking the next questions. 'How long will the effects last?' and What dose is best?''

To answer those questions The Center for Orthobiologics is part of a nationwide study that is injecting an even purer form of amniotic fluid. All samples are donated by consenting mothers delivering healthy newborns by scheduled Cesarean sections.

The center is now seeking volunteers for the study. Medicare study subjects will receive all treatment for free. Dr. Sheinkop says, "Patients over 65 with arthritis pain can get state-of-the-art care and possibly avoid surgery at no cost to themselves. The company involved isn't charging for the purified amniotic fluid." Those under 65 may also qualify for the study at a reduced cost.

The study is considered especially important because a mainstay treatment for arthritis, hyaluronic acid, was recently found to be minimally effective for osteoarthritis. The highly promoted therapy was, in fact, recently removed from the "preferred treatment list" of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. That change has created an urgent need for the millions of osteoarthritis patients seeking relief.

"Amniotic fluid may fill that need," says Dr. Sheinkop. "At this point there's little question it supplements the ability of existing synovial fluid to lubricate and protect the knee joint."

The new study continues the Center For Orthobiologics tradition as a pioneer in the new field of regenerative orthopedics. "I implanted artificial knees for 38 years," says Dr. Sheinkop. "I know better than anyone the surgery isn't a cure-all. You want to avoid that surgery as long as possible."

"I'm grateful that we can now offer many patients a free promising new entry in non-operative orthopedic care."

Anyone who wants more information about the knee osteoarthritis study can contact the Center For Orthobiologics, 1455 East Golf Rd, Des Plaines, at 312-475-1893 or visit www.sheinkopmd.com.