A County Durham man had become one of the first in the country to benefit from a pioneering new regenerative treatment.
After agonising rheumatoid arthritis spread to his hands, grandfather Hugh Malone found everyday tasks most people take for granted, such as using a computer or picking up a cup of tea, were becoming difficult.
The 56-year-old, from Consett, had suffered from the debilitating condition, which was triggered by a knee operation that went wrong, for ten years. However, he managed to control the pain in his knees and feet through the use of two drugs (sulfasalazine and naproxen).
These helped dampen the symptoms, which also include swelling and stiffness, enabling him to live a fairly active life, with him even being able to continue to play five-a-side football.
But Mr Malone turned to a life-changing regenerative treatment, being pioneered by top sports and orthopaedic consultant, Dr Ralph Rogers, after the rheumatoid arthritis spread to the joints in his hands, which became so painful he was finding it difficult to have a restful night’s sleep.
Mr Malone was advised by his rheumatologist that to combat the unbearable pain he would need to take more drugs, but he felt there must be a better alternative.
The businessman, who has two daughters and three grandchildren, said: “I did some research as I felt there had to be something else out there. I did not want to have to be reliant on a cocktail of drugs to alleviate the joint pain, swelling and stiffness in my hands.
“Dr Rogers and his pioneering treatment stood out so I made arrangements to have a consultation with him.
“I made the trip with my wife, Yvonne who runs a local mobility business H&M Health & Mobility (Consett) Ltd., and I am so glad I did – everything was explained to me very clearly and in great detail.
“After checking that my rheumatologist was happy for me to have the treatment, I returned to Dr Rogers’ clinic and underwent the procedure. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
“I was out of the clinic within a few hours and now six weeks later my hands have improved considerably.”
Mr Malone said he cannot recommend the treatment he had highly enough. He underwent Lipogems therapy, a cutting-edge technology that harnesses the natural and powerful reparative capability of the patient’s adipose tissue reserves.
It involves extracting a small amount of fat from the midsection, or love-handles, following which a gentle washing in a closed-system device micro-fragments the fat, preserving its natural and beneficial properties. This is then injected using a small gauge needle into the specific area requiring treatment, for example the knee or hand joints.
Mr Malone added: “I still have a small amount of pain, but I would say my hands are around 80 percent better, which is fantastic, and it is expected that in a few weeks’ time I will have improved even further.
“I can only describe the transformation in my hands as brilliant. I was in Spain recently and I was able to play golf twice - something I could not have contemplated just a few weeks ago.”
Dr Rogers is committed to changing the face of Orthopaedics as the first, and most experienced, doctor in the UK to offer regenerative orthopaedics and sports medicine for patients suffering from a variety of orthopaedic, musculoskeletal and sports injuries.
Dr Rogers, who has a clinic in Harley Street, said: “This regenerative treatment allows people, who have been living with joint problems, to return to an active lifestyle in a short space of time.
“I am passionate about natural healing and regenerative treatments and Hugh is proof of how life-changing they can be.
“It is very satisfying to see patients, whose day-to-day dexterity or mobility has been hugely restricted due to intolerable pain, once again being able to carry out tasks and activities that other people are able to do without a second thought.”
The Lipogems device was invented in Italy by the world-renowned plastic surgeon Professor Carlo Tremolada, who was looking for a way to optimise fat for reconstructive applications. It has been rigorously reviewed by the US Food & Drug Administration and authorised for clinical use in the States since 2014.
Dr Rogers was trained by Professor Tremolada personally in Milan and his patients are reporting significant improvements. One patient, a successful trade carpenter for many years, described it as ‘life-changing’ after being able to resume his work, pain-free.
ENDS
NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF Dr Ralph Rogers
CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436
Notes to editors:
Dr Rogers, MD, PhD, MBA, MSc was born in America and has studied and worked internationally. As a leading sports medicine specialist he has published in many peer-reviewed sports medical journals. He lectures throughout Europe and the United States and is a seasoned media commentator.
Dr Rogers has held a number of high-profile sports medical positions including first team doctor at Chelsea FC, medical advisor to the National Basketball Association (NBA), Under 19 team physician for the Football Association and medical advisor to the Trinidad & Tobago world cup football team. He is currently Medical Advisor to the National Basketball Association (NBA).