To those of us watching from the stands, professional athletes can seem superhuman. Their physical prowess, and the consistency with which it is conveyed, is extraordinary. They also defy the aging process, rebounding quickly from seemingly devastating injuries – sometimes even into the beginning of middle age.
It may appear that the athletes have access to secret methods that help their bodies stay on track. That was in fact the case with the use of steroids and other dangerous substances in Major League Baseball (MLB). However, athletes are now frequently using a revolutionary modality that does not conflict with professional sports rules: stem cell therapy.
In use by physicians and researchers throughout the world, this technique has generated controversy due to some scientists sourcing the cells from human embryos. However, the majority of stem cell procedures now performed use either stem cells from the patient’s own body or from donor-contributed umbilical cords.
What athletes have received stem cell therapy?
Stem cells therapy has become a go-to option for the world’s premier athletic figures, across the entire spectrum of sports: from baseball to basketball to football.
In baseball, Bartolo Colon and Alex Rodriguez received the therapy. Colon’s treatments, which he sought in 2010 in the Dominican Republic, targeted damaged ligaments in his shoulder and elbow. Similarly, renowned slugger Rodriguez, star shooting guard Kobe Bryant, and record-breaking quarterback Peyton Manning received treatment in Germany.
Why are top athletes flying all over the world to get this form of therapy? The FDA has failed to conduct research on stem cells in the United States until this month (April 2014). The heel-dragging by the agency has caused considerable frustration for the scientists and practitioners who have experienced the incredible promise offered by this form of medicine. However, the FDA’s positive comments about the regenerative potential of stem cell therapy suggests that the wait for approval will soon be over.
What athletes have received PRP therapy?
A similar form of treatment use by athletes is platelet rich plasma injection therapy (PRP therapy). This modality has been used by athletes who have been at the top of the golf and tennis rankings for years: Tiger Woods and Rafael Nadal.
The good news is that you do not need to travel outside the country to receive high-quality stem cell or PRP treatment. We offer both forms of therapy through the expertise of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Propper. Contact us today for a comprehensive evaluation.
