As modern medicine and non-invasive technologies advance, the best practices surrounding them advance as well. While these developments are revolutionary, they often bring on a multitude of questions: what is the best treatment protocol for certain pathologies? How can shockwave (ESWT) and Magnetotransduction (EMTT) be used in combination with biologics, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or platelet-poor plasma (PPP)? For answers to these questions and more – including a deep dive into treating pelvic floor pathologies – look no further than this newest installment in CuraMedix’s series of Patient Success Stories.
Physician Background: Treatment Starting at a Cellular Level
For more than a decade, Dr. Aneesh Garg, DO, has been making waves in the sports medicine industry at his practice, Dynamic Athlete in Boulder, Colorado. His non-invasive, innovative approach heals patients and eliminates their pain without the stress, down-time, or hassle of surgery. By combining orthobiologic treatments with regenerative technologies, Dr. Garg gives his patients cutting edge care without ever holding a scalpel.
Dr. Garg is an active member of the Boulder community, and serves as a team physician for both USA Hockey and US Soccer. He also spearheads the Dynamic Athlete Concussion Clinic, and frequently consults and speaks to his specialized skills regarding regenerative orthobiologics.
Challenges: An Onset of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Symptoms
Whitney S., 36, led an active lifestyle. Whether it was going for a run, hiking, or spending an hour or two at the gym, she found something to do every day to keep herself in shape. Ten months after having her third daughter, she devoted a large portion of her time to running, but a gradual onset of pain in her pelvic region caused her runs to slow to a walk - then, ultimately, a hobble.
After visiting both a physical therapist and an orthopedist, Whitney was diagnosed with a left inferior pubic ramus stress fracture and a longstanding labral tear with hip pain. In addition, she had pubic symphysis pain, SI joint pain, and overall pelvic floor weakness and pain.
She sought out a multitude of medical professionals – from chiropractors to pelvic floor therapists – but her symptoms remained, and even worsened. Her stress fracture transformed into a discrete fracture, and it spread to her superior pubic ramus. After three pregnancies and three childbirths, her pelvic floor was weak, and Whitney was suffering the consequences.
At the six-month mark – and after a month on crutches – she decided to schedule an appointment at Dynamic Athlete after talking to a friend who’d had success with Dr. Garg.
Solution: A Combined Approach Using Focused Shockwave, Magnetotransduction, and Orthobiologics
In addition to the left inferior pubic ramus fracture and the left labral hip tear, Dr. Garg diagnosed Whitney with pubic symphysis dysfunction, left SI joint dysfunction, gluteus medius tendinopathy, and pelvic floor weakness. Luckily, she was in the hands of one of the best, and Dr. Garg immediately set to work creating a custom treatment plan that would get Whitney back on her feet. He pulled from his armamentarium – combining focused shockwave, Magnetotransduction, and orthobiologics to address and eliminate Whitney’s afflictions once and for all.
Here is Dr. Garg’s approach to treating Whitney S.:
Treatment Part 1: Focused Shockwave (ESWT) & Magnetotransduction (EMTT)
- Treatment was scheduled on a weekly basis for 6 weeks
- ESWT: 2,000 pulses per session to all impacted areas using both the long and short standoffs. The energy level ranged from 0.07 mJ to 0.25 mJ depending on location and patient tolerance.
- EMTT: 4,000 pulses per site at Level 8 at 8 Hz
Treatment Part 2: Orthobiologics to the Affected Sites
- Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet poor plasma (PPP) injections to the left SI joint, left gluteus medius, and left labral hip tear
Treatment Part 3: Additional Sessions
- An additional 6 sessions of both ESWT and EMTT were scheduled for pubic symphysis dysfunction following PRP and PPP injections
Clinical Outcome and Benefits Achieved
Whitney is back to living an active lifestyle and doing what she loves most. Following ESWT and EMTT treatments, Whitney saw a significant improvement in her pain levels, especially in her SI joint and gluteus medius tendinopathy. Her pain levels improved even further 3 weeks after her PRP and PPP injections, and her pubic symphysis dysfunction began to subside as well.
Because of Dr. Garg’s education and experience with shockwave, EMTT, and orthobiologics, he was able to address the root cause of Whitney’s pathologies and treat infirmities that had been bothering her for nearly a year.
Whitney no longer has any pain in her SI joint, her gluteus medius feels significantly better, and she can walk and hike without any pain in her hip. Where she used to struggle to engage her pelvic floor, she now has an easier time, and she feels stronger overall. Though she’s waiting for a clean MRI to resume running for sport, she jokes, “Now I run in a different way - I chase my daughters at the park!”
A Life Free From Postpartum Pelvic Floor Pain
Whitney is extremely grateful to have received such top-notch care from a doctor as skilled as Dr. Garg, and is relieved to have her postpartum pelvic floor pain finally addressed after nearly a year of failed management. In spite of this, she’s still disheartened – not because of Dr. Garg, but because she knows these protocols and treatments are not immediately offered to women who are pregnant or have recently given birth.
Postpartum mothers shouldn’t have to accept that residual pain following labor is the standard for motherhood, and shouldn’t have to settle for a lifetime of limited physical activity simply because their bodies did not recover correctly. “Treatment plans like Dr. Garg’s should be the standard of care for pregnant and postpartum women,” she states, and she is glad she was one of those fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of Dr. Garg’s expertise.
Harness the Power of Shockwave and EMTT in Your Practice
Patients like Whitney S. are everywhere. From the postpartum mother struggling with pelvic floor dysfunction, to the avid runner suffering from a stress fracture or a soft tissue injury, many are looking for the same thing: an experienced medical professional who can treat their conditions non-surgically.
With the ‘right’ medical technologies in your armamentarium, and support and guidance from CuraMedix, you can help improve patient outcomes. As the leading US distributor of STORZ Medical devices, including EPAT, ESWT, and EMTT, CuraMedix is known for unrivaled service, support, education, and training.
CuraMedix is on the cutting-edge of providing medical professionals with emerging regenerative technologies in medicine. As non-invasive technologies evolve, more practitioners like Dr. Garg are using shockwave and Magnetotransduction in combination with orthobiologics, and we can help you join them.
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