Too Young For Knee Replacement Surgery, Valerie Turned To Regenexx

Meet Valerie. A 56 year young Hairstylist, diagnosed with osteoarthritis of knee, medial and lateral meniscus tears, and knee pain. She completed two Regenexx procedures – one in April 2014 and another in July 2014.

She completed two Regenexx procedures with RAPS – one in April 2014 and another in July 2014. This is her story!

Before Stem Cell Therapy

By the age of 55, Valerie had tried cortisone injections, “rooster shots” and Celebrex to maintain function and control pain in her knees. Bending or putting weight on her knees caused such severe pain that Valerie crawled up and down the stairs at home. She was forced to sit in a chair while styling hair and ask neighbors to carry groceries from the car into her house.

Desperate, she decided to have total knee replacement surgery—and was denied.

“The insurance company said I was too young,” Valerie says. “The artificial knees last only so long, and a second replacement surgery is very difficult.”

She saw Dr. Paul Lieber on a WTAE news segment about Regenexx therapy and wondered if she had, finally, found her solution.

After Stem Cell Therapy

In April 2014, Valerie had stem cell therapy for her right knee. She returned three months later for the left knee and started physical therapy in September. She missed about a week of work after each stem cell treatment.

What surprised her?

“How quickly I felt better,” she says.

“Dr. Lieber and Dr. Adelsheimer are fabulous,” she adds. “I have sent four people to them already … so many people have trouble with their knees.”

Today, Valerie is 100% pain-free in the right knee. Her left knee did not respond as fully but “I would still do it,” she says. Local errands that used to take a week or more now take a few hours. She can do her own yard work again and, in general, is much more independent.

The hospital fees for one total knee replacement surgery exceed $50,000. Even though she has insurance coverage, Valerie would have paid close to $20,000 for surgery, rehabilitation and other fees for two knees. “Also, I would have missed several weeks of work without pay,” she says.

She paid far less for stem cell therapy on both knees. “And to be in no pain!” she adds.

“There’s not a price you can put on that.”

Disclaimer: Like all medical procedures, Regenexx Procedures have a success & failure rate. Not all patients will experience the same results.

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About Regenexx Pittsburgh COVID-19 Protection Zone

At Regenexx Pittsburgh, we are foremost committed to the health and safety of our patients. Our team adheres strictly to COVID-19 protection protocols and ALL staff wear masks and are COVID-19 vaccinated.

Advanced IOF Certifications

Certified at the highest level for Ankle / Foot, Wrist / Hand, Hip, Knee, Shoulder, and Spine Intradiscal

Specialized Certifications

Top available certifications in Diagnostic Ultrasound, Bone Marrow and Adipose Aspirate, and Nucleated Cell Counting

Educational Certifications

Our doctors have earned both General Instructor as well as Spine Instructor certifications.

Knee

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Knee Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Meniscus Tears
  • Patellofemoral
  • Syndrome/Chondomalacia
  • ACL Tears + PCL, LCL & MCL Tears & Sprains
  • Patellar Tendonitis
  • Pes anersine bursitis
  • Baker’s cyst
  • Instability
  • Hamstrings Tendinopathy & Biceps Femoris Insertional Tendinopathy

Lower Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Lumbar Facet Injury
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Herniated or Bulging Disc
  • Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
  • SI Joint Syndrome
  • Many More Disc and Low Back Issues

Foot & Ankle

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Foot & Ankle Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Ankle Instability
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Peroneal tendon tear or split
  • Ligament sprain or tear
  • Sub-talar arthritis or instability
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome
  • Bunions

Cervical Spine

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Spine Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Cervical Instability
  • Cervical Facet Injury
  • Neck, Back or Rib Instability
  • Many More Disc and Cervical Issues Causing Pain

Shoulder

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Shoulder Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Arthritis of the shoulder joint
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Labral tears or degeneration
  • Rotator cuff tendonitis & tendonosis
  • AC Joint Separation
  • Recurrent shoulder dislocations

Elbow

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Elbow Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow
  • Nerve entrapment (ulnar nerve)

Hip

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions. View Details About Hip Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Arthritis
  • Osteonecrosis
  • Bursitis
  • Tendinopathy
  • Labral / Labrum Tear

Hand & Wrist

Regenexx® Procedures are non-surgical injection treatments that are intended to help reduce pain and improve function for those who are suffering from pain due to common injuries, arthritis, and overuse conditions.

View Details About Hand & Wrist Treatments >

Commonly Treated Conditions:

  • Hand Arthritis
  • Basal Joint Arthritis or CMC / Carpometacarpal
  • Arthritis
  • Instability
  • TFCC Tear
  • Carpal Tunnel SyndromeTrigger Finger