THE GITTENS GA Z E T T E
JULY 2019
833-448-8367 833-GITTENS WWW.THEGITTENSCLINIC.COM
What PRP Can Do for You PRP THERAPY VS. KNEE SURGERY
As athletes and active DIY-ers get older, the parts of their bodies they have heavily relied on degrade, especially their knees. The effects might not be immediate, as it may not happen all at once. However, if you notice any knee pain or swelling, it may be time to start exploring knee care options like PRP therapy or knee replacement surgery. My introduction to PRP therapy, though, is connected to how I learned about stem cells. I was initially introduced to stem cells by a colleague. I became interested because many of my patients had pain they treated with opiates. My interest was piqued when I went tomy local gym, and numerous members askedme if I performed stem cell injections. Since then, I have attended numerous classes and conferences on stem cells and plasma rich platelets and was trained on the injection of stem cells and plasma rich platelets for joint pain. PRPTherapy Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is plasma in the blood that contains concentrated platelets. These platelets containmassive pools of bioactive proteins that include growth factors imperative to starting and accelerating tissue repair and tissue regeneration. These specific proteins do a host of things in the healing process, such as healing connective tissue, regenerating and repairing bone, furthering the development of new blood vessels, and invigorating the wound healing process. The first step in PRP therapy is drawing a small amount of blood from the patient and placing it into a centrifuge. The machine spins and concentrates the PRP; the entire production takes less than 25 minutes. The platelets and growth factors are increased by up to 10 times their normal levels. Once the PRP is injected into the area in need, it stimulates the tendon or ligament, causing slight inflammation. This triggers the healing process, and the new collagen starts to develop. As it matures, it begins to shrink, causing the tendons or ligaments to tighten and strengthen. Pain relief typically starts between three to four weeks, while symptoms improve for up to three to six months. There is also far less pain associated with PRP therapy than with knee surgery, and no hospitalization is required. Knee Replacement Surgery In a total knee replacement surgery, the knee joint is replaced with a prosthetic made of metal, ceramic, medical-grade plastic, or polyester components. The four
steps in the surgery start with prepping the bone, which entails removing the cartilage surfaces found at the end of the femur and tibia, along with some of the underlying bone. Positioning the metal implants, the second part of the process, replaces the removed bone and cartilage withmetal components to restore the surface of the joint.
Next, the undersurface of the kneecap is cut and resurfaced with a high-grade plastic button. Finally, the doctor inserts a high-grade plastic spacer between the metal pieces to create a smooth gliding surface.
While knee surgeries have been common in the past, options like PRP therapy make it impossible to ignore the risks involved with such an invasive surgical procedure. These risks include infection, blood clotting, heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage. The average recovery time from knee surgery is four to six months, which can cause patients to further delay treatment and increase the potential of one of these risks occurring. In addition to PRP therapy being less evasive than knee replacement, the recovery time is much shorter. At our office, we even use a freezing agent to numb the skin and lessen the pain. In the four to six months it would take to recover from knee replacement, you’ll
experience the full potential of your PRP therapy. For more information, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 1-833-448-8367 for a free consultation, visit our website at StemCellTherapyForJoints. com, or visit our Stuart, Miami, or Palm Beach Gardens offices.
-Dr. Carl Gittens
• 1 WWW.THEGITTENSCLINIC.COM
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
SUMMER SWIMMING SAFETY 3 Tips for Swimming in Open Water
WILL DISNEY+ GET YOUR KIDS TO STOP WATCHING UNBOXING VIDEOS?
There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun.
NEVER SWIM ALONE
When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly. KNOWWHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO
Ever since Netflix changed the way we consume movies and TV shows at home, studios have been locked in a streaming war. Amazon Prime and Hulu shook up the scene, along with more niche services like CBS All Access, DC Universe, and Crunchyroll. Is there room for one more? Disney seems to think so, and their new service is shaping up to be the king of streaming.
WHAT IS DISNEY+?
Disney has always prided itself on its family-friendly brand. This is the first major perk of their new streaming service, Disney+. There will be no R-rated films or TV-MA television shows anywhere on the platform. This is a great relief for parents who have had to deal with their kids accidentally navigating away from“Peppa Pig” videos on YouTube and finding more adult content. Keep in mind that “family-friendly” doesn’t mean limited. Disney+ boasts a massive offering of original content, such as the live-action “Star Wars” series “The Mandalorian” and “Loki,” a show starring everyone’s favorite trickster god. There will also be live-action remakes of Disney animated classics alongside original movies, including a Christmas movie starring Anna Kendrick. New isn’t always better, which is why Disney+ will also house decades’ worth of classic content. Every single movie in the Disney catalog will be available on the service, from“SnowWhite and the Seven Dwarves” to “Frozen 2.” All “Star Wars”movies and Marvel movies will also become available along with over 5,000 episodes of old Disney Channel shows.
WATCH FOR RIP CURRENTS
These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of
beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly
pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy by swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current.
IS DISNEY+WORTH IT?
That depends entirely on your family. If you don’t care for Disney, don’t waste your money. However, if you share a soft spot for classic Disney movies, enjoy new Marvel content, or secretly long to rewatch every episode of “Kim Possible,”Disney+ might be the streaming service you’ve been waiting for.
Disney+ launches in the United States on Nov. 12, 2019. Visit Preview. DisneyPlus.com to get notifications. Happy binge-watching!
2 •
833-448-8367 • 833-GITTENS
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
THE GUARDIAN WHO WOULD NOT LEAVE HIS WATCH Odin Lives up to His Legendary Name
Amid the devastation of the wildfires that tore through California in the fall of 2017, a few heroic tales rose up to give people hope. One such tale was of Odin, a loyal Great Pyrenees guard dog. Along with his sister, Tessa, and eight rescue goats, Odin is part of the Hendel family. It was mid-October when the Hendels were awoken by the smell of smoke, a fierce orange sky, and sounds of destruction — urgent warnings from Mother Nature. Gathering everyone as quickly as they could, the Hendels got their human family members and Tessa in the car, but Odin, seated proudly next to the eight goats, refused to get in. Try as they might, the Hendels could not get him to come with them, and there wasn’t enough room in the car for the eight goats. With the firestorm quickly approaching and the risk of losing even more family members increasing with each passing minute, the Hendels made the heart-wrenching decision to leave Odin and the goats behind. The family made it to safety with Tessa in tow, relieved to be together but heartbroken that Odin and the goats weren’t with them. After several agonizing days, it was finally safe enough for them to return home and survey the destruction. What did the Hendels find? Ashes, rubble, their barn and home burned to the ground — and Odin. There he was, still guarding his eight goats and some small deer that had sought shelter with the brave canine. Weakened, burned, and limping, but nevertheless steadfast, Odin had never left his goats, even as the fire
raged around them. Odin wagged his tail as he saw his family, happy to see they were also safe. The Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue and the Goatlandia Animal Sanctuary provided temporary shelter for the goats and pups while the Hendels rebuilt their
barn. Odin received all the care he needed, along with a lot of love and treats. Today, Odin and his goats are back with
their family, rebuilding their lives after this devastating wildfire. But the Hendels, and anyone who’s heard the story, won’t soon forget the bravery of Odin, the amazing pup.
JUICY LUCY SLIDERS
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by Bon Appétit Magazine
Ingredients
•
2 lbs. ground chuck beef, 20% lean
•
16 small potato rolls, toasted
•
8 slices melting cheese (like American, Swiss, Muenster, or cheddar)
•
Salt and pepper, to taste
•
Your favorite burger accompaniments
Directions
1.
Divide beef into 16 evenly sized balls.
2. Rip cheese into roughly equal pieces, creating 16 equal portions. 3. Using your index finger, create a small indentation in each ball. 4. Fill indention with cheese and pinch meat around to seal. Then gently form balls into 3/4-inch- thick patties. Season patties. 5. Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high. 6. Lightly coat skillet with oil and cook patties in batches. Brown one side undisturbed, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip and cook until desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium. 7. Serve on toasted potato rolls with your favorite accompaniments.
Solution on Page 4
• 3 WWW.THEGITTENSCLINIC.COM
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
INSIDE 833-448-8367 • 833-GITTENS WWW.THEGITTENSCLINIC.COM THE GITTENS CLINIC 611 SW FEDERAL HIGHWAY, STE. E STUART, FL 34994
1
A Breakdown of PRP Therapy
2
Disney Enters the Streaming War 3 Things to Know Before Swimming in Open Water
3
A Tail of Bravery Juicy Lucy Sliders
4
The Madden Curse
ON THE TRAIL OF THE MADDEN CURSE
Truth, Lies, and Superstition
There is no urban legend in the world of modern video games as well- documented as the so-called “Madden Curse.”The curse cover spot of the popular NFL video game “Madden NFL,” formerly known as “John Madden Football.” While the games date back to 1988, the curse is said to originate with the revolves around the highly sought-after
in the rumor gaining traction. Soon, the idea that the game’s seemingly innocent cover could have devastating effects on a player’s career was widespread. Once a substantial honor in the world of football, the Madden cover spot has become one of the sport’s most feared superstitions for fans. The players, however, seem to find the correlation more amusing than scary. Most of the athletes in contention for the spot still consider it to be a great honor, choosing to brush off the rumors as coincidence. Despite the ambivalence of many players, there does seem to be a correlation between the cover and player issues. Of the 22 players who have been featured on the cover, 16 of them have suffered from significant issues in the season that followed. While the causes varied, with severe injuries, contract disputes, and personal issues all afflicting different players, something about the spotlight appears to have disturbed the powers that be. In fact, sometimes these issues occur shortly after the game is released in stores. Whatever the true cause, the curse seems to have taken a dip in recent years. Only one of the last five players has been affected, a stat that bodes well for this year’s star: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The real answer probably lies somewhere between fact and fiction. The increased pressure of national attention is bound to make players tense up every once in a while, and in a game as physical as football, any distraction can end in disaster.
1999 version. Garrison Hearst, a popular running back at the time, broke his ankle shortly after being featured on the cover of the 1999 edition. This was the first in a long line of injuries and personal issues that resulted
4 • 833-448-8367 • 833-GITTENS
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook HTML5