a number of doctors out there are showing that they can decrease scar tissue and increase our new organic tissue using PRP or stem cells. If scar tissue is a problem in thoracic outlet syndrome then it would make sense at least attempt this. I spoke to Dr Hugh Gelabert at UCLA's mentions this and this made sense to me because I have heard of stem cells converting heart attack scar tissue to actual heart muscle tissue. He does not have experience or numbers to discuss with me about it but I am on the lookout. I have a consultation with Dr Miller that is here in the Los Angeles and Orange County area. apparently he does PRP injections for this TOS.

Any comments?

Very interesting! I am convinced apart from multiple crush syndrome for my TOS my biggest issue are scalenes on my left side, injured from a bike accident. Scar tissue resolution is like the holy grail for us TOS'ers.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...dicine-injury/

Theoretically, many of the athletes may have a type of tendonitis, [such as] Achilles tendonitis or, say, patellar tendonitis in the knee or tennis elbow. Many of these tendon injuries become chronic, and involve microscopic tearing of the tendon and formation of scar tissue. A reason why it's difficult to heal these tendon injuries is related to poor blood supply to the region. The perfect example would be the Achilles. It's a tendon with, in general, a poor blood supply, so when there are these microscopic tears or chronic scarring, the body has a difficult time healing it. The theory is that the body can't on its own get enough of these healing or growth factors to the area, but now this concentrated platelet injected there just enhances the nutrients and growth factors to allow the body to heal it.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22182435

http://www.shoulderdoc.co.uk/article/1324

Need to be careful though.. no need to add more to scar tissue

https://www.orthop.com/pdfs/JBJS_Rev...ew_Figures.pdf

But is it really the scar tissue? How do we really know that? it seems like the drs don't really know what it is, they just assume and make speculations. I don't think TOS is understood enough.

There is definitely an inflammatory component to TOS and other items. But people get back from far worse, so if you can reduce the main drivers of pain, rest will fall in place. I think accupuncture has its place in muscles but not near nerves.

Akash I believe you're right. PRPn increase scar tissue who knows, i'll take a look at your paper link. I tend to think scar tissue is reaction of bad inflammation. I was looking recently at serrapeptase an enzyme to break down fibrin or the precursors of fibrin, I'm not sure. I don't know of its use for actual developed scar tissue. I was wondering if injections might help. It has been shown in mice to reduce scar tissue post surgery. Even when taken orally.

[QUOTE=Akash;1138489]There is definitely an inflammatory component to TOS and other items. But people get back from far worse, so if you can reduce the main drivers of pain, rest will fall in place.

Yeah, exactly. How can people recovery from near death car crashes and such and we can't recover from this?

I had some prp injections in my knees for arthritis pain and ankle for which was thought to be from peroneal tendonitis but now know is tibial nerve compression (tarsal tunnel).
What I have read about prp and told by the Dr who did this on me, was it helps to heal your tendon that are weakened from injurys or loose its. It will never heal to its original state but can strenghten tendons by helping to form scar tissue. It did help my knee pain short term but did nothing for my ankle Bc its nerve comp not a tendon problem.
So, I dont know how it could help tos where there usually is already a lot of scar tissue involved and this is what's compressing the nerves. Tos is not a tendon problem.
Watch out for false advertising! Some drs promote prp and prolotherapy as curing just
about everything! I wish it were true, as I have spent $18,000, most of my savings, on prolotherapy alone. Most insurance co.s do not pay for these treatments, mine didn't and I have one of the top rated plans.




about everything! I wish it were true, as I have spent 18,000

thank you. I guess I was just hoping to avoid surgery. The way I have been feeling the past couple of weeks however, things have changed. I'm getting a little of the swelling and some purple hand at some times in the day. I hope Dr Gilbert is good.

Hi 16r honda, can you tell me about from where you got your prolo done and what your experience was?