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[h=1]The Healthy Skeptic: How Are Athletes Recovering So Quickly From Major Surgeries?[/h]
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By Sal Marinello | Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Filed under: Health and Fitness, Science and Technology
Tags: Baseball, Football (American), Health/Fitness, Life Sciences, Sci/Tech
<!-- END CUSTOM BYLINE --> <!-- .entry-header --> Have you wondered why so many athletes seem to be recovering from major surgery quicker than ever? How is it over the past few years guys have been able to come back and compete after a period of recuperation that is much shorter than usual after undergoing major surgery?
Over the last decade new, less invasive and less traumatic surgical techniques have helped athletes get back on the field quicker after undergoing a surgical procedure. However, in the past couple of years we have seen guys come back much quicker than anyone expected – including team medical personnel – from major surgeries. As a matter of fact, three big stories leading up to the opening of this season’s NFL training camp have involved quarterbacks who are ahead of schedule after undergoing major surgeries.
Daunte Culpepper of the Miami Dolphins, Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints are all guys who are making rapid recoveries from major surgeries.
Culpepper suffered a horrific knee injury at the end of last October where he shredded his three knee ligaments; the ACL, MCL, and PCL. The rehab schedule for this injury is twelve months, but Culpepper passed his Dolphins physical in March and has been participating in Dolphins practices since May, which means Culpepper was on the field in an active role just six months after undergoing the most major reconstructive knee surgery anyone could have.
The Dolphins say Culpepper could possibly play in their August 12 exhibition opener, putting Culpepper in harm's way just nine months after his surgery.
Carson Palmer’s severe knee injury occurred during a playoff game and he underwent surgery just a few days later on January 10. At the time, the Bengals and Palmer didn’t let on about the severity of the injury. It wasn’t until early June that the team made it known Palmer not only tore his ACL and MCL, but he also had severe damage to tissue around the kneecap – as a result of a dislocation – and had cartilage damage as well. Not good.
But in mid-June, Palmer participated in the team’s mini-camp and is projected to be ready to participate in the Bengals season opener, just seven months after undergoing major reconstructive surgery to his knee.
Drew Brees suffered severe injuries to his throwing shoulder, injuries worse than expected prior to Brees going into surgery in January, as he had damage to not only his labrum – the fibrous cartilage covering the bone in the shoulder joint – but to his rotator cuff as well. In January, it was said Brees wouldn’t be ready to start throwing until June 1, but he started in May. By early June, Brees stated how quickly his shoulder was healing and how great it felt.
Most people may not realize it, but the throwing shoulder of a quarterback has a much tougher life than that of a baseball pitcher. Quarterbacks throw more often, just as hard, throw a heavier ball, frequently throw with their bodies in awkward positions and on the move, and have to worry about getting hit by other players and hitting the ground after getting hit.
So back to my question: How is it these three guys are recovering so quickly from injuries requiring major surgeries?
Are they getting extra help from substances the rest of us don’t have access to, or stuff us regular folk don't know about?
Eighteen months ago I wrote a piece critical of Terrell Owens’ workout as it appeared in an edition of Muscle and Fitness magazine. I was shocked when I received an angry and poorly written email from someone claiming to be Dr. Hank Sloan, a doctor who was mentioned in the M & F item as a doctor who injected Owens with a substance alleged to help strengthen and re-grow connective tissue.
The person identifying himself as Dr. Sloan took exception to a statement I made in which I said "there are no known legal substances that can regrow tendons and ligaments. The stuff doesn't exist."
By the way, the entire piece and the emails generated as a result of this item have been archived.
Here is the email exactly as I received it.
After this poorly written post script, Dr. Sloan included his supporting scientific evidence.
This email is shocking for a whole bunch of different reasons. What do you think Dr. Sloan meant when he wrote, “You have no idea about TO and his injuries and what our team has dome for him. Have you read his MRI's and x-rays. How did he come back so fast last year after completely braking his clacicle [sic] and having surgery?”
And how about the rambling, borderline incoherent tone Sloan employed? Included as a part of this email – ostensibly to prove Sloan’s point that legit research existed backing his methods – were a bunch of sketchy studies involving IGF-1 performed on rats, horses, and in lab dishes, and mostly done outside the United States. As a matter of fact, in one of the studies showing that IGF-1 could re-grow connective tissues, the subject horses had to be killed in order for the researchers to be able to examine the areas where this re-growth occurred. Anyway…
Nowhere in my original piece did I mention IGF-1, any illegal substances, or any drugs not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, nor did I say an experimental drug was being used in the treatment of Owens.
In my responding email, when I pointed out the results of these studies involving IGF-1 hardly justified the use in humans, the drugs in question hadn’t been approved for use in humans beyond a very narrow application, and questioned how a person of Owens' caliber could be involved in using experimental treatments, Sloan employed a more conciliatory tone in his next email, but still made little sense.
So there you have it. A doctor, who works with professional athletes admitting he used human growth hormone and IGF-1 on a professional baseball player in order to heal an injury, comes dangerously close to saying he used IGF-1 on Terrell Owens and indicated that this is a common practice in the treatment of professional athletes.
These admissions were made by Dr. Sloan, not in defense of any accusations I made with regard to substances used, but in response to my statement that there are no known, legal substances available capable of regrowing connective tissues.
If this Dr. Sloan has used these substances in his practice – and knowing what we know about how drugs are used to enhance performance in sport – is it logical to believe other orthopedic surgeons use them? Despite Dr. Sloan’s assertion, at the time I wrote the original piece, IGF-1 was experimental and had been approved for use in humans only in the case of children who suffer from IGF-1 deficiency and as a result suffer from growth failure. The email I recieved from Tercica – the company conducting IGF-1 research – confirmed my assertion that IGF-1 was, in fact, experimental and was not being studied for use in "other indications."
I'm not saying any of the athletes discussed here are using IGF-1.
And I’m not saying I disagree with the idea that professional athletes should be able to take advantage of any methods possible to aid their recovery from surgery or the rigors of their sport.
But, people need to realize there is a lot more going on out there with athletes – a lot more than some dopes misusing steroids and other substances.
Advances in performance enhancing substances are being used by athletes in all sports, both to aid rehabilitation and for performance enhancement. And as advances are made, athletes will continue to employ these substances as they prepare for their sport.
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And to think, This is from 2006... 7 years ago!!!
<!-- CUSTOM BYLINE -->
By Sal Marinello | Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Filed under: Health and Fitness, Science and Technology
Tags: Baseball, Football (American), Health/Fitness, Life Sciences, Sci/Tech
<!-- END CUSTOM BYLINE --> <!-- .entry-header --> Have you wondered why so many athletes seem to be recovering from major surgery quicker than ever? How is it over the past few years guys have been able to come back and compete after a period of recuperation that is much shorter than usual after undergoing major surgery?
Over the last decade new, less invasive and less traumatic surgical techniques have helped athletes get back on the field quicker after undergoing a surgical procedure. However, in the past couple of years we have seen guys come back much quicker than anyone expected – including team medical personnel – from major surgeries. As a matter of fact, three big stories leading up to the opening of this season’s NFL training camp have involved quarterbacks who are ahead of schedule after undergoing major surgeries.
Culpepper suffered a horrific knee injury at the end of last October where he shredded his three knee ligaments; the ACL, MCL, and PCL. The rehab schedule for this injury is twelve months, but Culpepper passed his Dolphins physical in March and has been participating in Dolphins practices since May, which means Culpepper was on the field in an active role just six months after undergoing the most major reconstructive knee surgery anyone could have.
The Dolphins say Culpepper could possibly play in their August 12 exhibition opener, putting Culpepper in harm's way just nine months after his surgery.
But in mid-June, Palmer participated in the team’s mini-camp and is projected to be ready to participate in the Bengals season opener, just seven months after undergoing major reconstructive surgery to his knee.
Most people may not realize it, but the throwing shoulder of a quarterback has a much tougher life than that of a baseball pitcher. Quarterbacks throw more often, just as hard, throw a heavier ball, frequently throw with their bodies in awkward positions and on the move, and have to worry about getting hit by other players and hitting the ground after getting hit.
So back to my question: How is it these three guys are recovering so quickly from injuries requiring major surgeries?
Are they getting extra help from substances the rest of us don’t have access to, or stuff us regular folk don't know about?
Eighteen months ago I wrote a piece critical of Terrell Owens’ workout as it appeared in an edition of Muscle and Fitness magazine. I was shocked when I received an angry and poorly written email from someone claiming to be Dr. Hank Sloan, a doctor who was mentioned in the M & F item as a doctor who injected Owens with a substance alleged to help strengthen and re-grow connective tissue.
The person identifying himself as Dr. Sloan took exception to a statement I made in which I said "there are no known legal substances that can regrow tendons and ligaments. The stuff doesn't exist."
By the way, the entire piece and the emails generated as a result of this item have been archived.
Here is the email exactly as I received it.
Wow,
I just came across your editorial piece and read this rediculous piece of bias nonsence. I am the Doctor ( trained in Europe and yes sports medicine) that works with T.O. for 2.5 years now. I currently work with 12 NFL teams and Biotech companies and we are healing tissues, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, etc, without surgery. And yes they are mostly natural ingredients. Why do you take an attitude of opposition about things you have no idea about. I will attatch some research to this email just to prove the results of IFG-! injections repairing tissue. We are on the same team. My goal is to help everyone overcome their injuries. You have no idea about TO and his injuries and what ourteam has dome for him. Have you read his MRI's and x-rays. How did he comeback so fast last year after completely braking his clacicle and having surgery?My emphasis) And as far as his core training is concerned, that part of his training is specifically for a groin injury, which you have no idea about. No matter how much genetic potential you have, NFL players will get hurt and our job is rehab. I am an honest, dependable scientist and physician who has helped thousands of people in pain. We are proponants for training and you take the attitude that for some reason we are against you. Next time, give me a call and we can discuss there things before you put information out there for others to see. Your comments on "Um, there are no known, legal substances that can re-grow tendons and ligaments". Are you a doctor or just printing thoughts with out doing one shread of research. So I guess you think TO is stupid for having his team around. Dont you think a player of his caliber will have the best. And by the way, who are you?
Dr Sloan. MD, NMD, MD(AM0, NMT FICAM
Below is you lack of knowledge abou things you have no idea.
I just came across your editorial piece and read this rediculous piece of bias nonsence. I am the Doctor ( trained in Europe and yes sports medicine) that works with T.O. for 2.5 years now. I currently work with 12 NFL teams and Biotech companies and we are healing tissues, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, etc, without surgery. And yes they are mostly natural ingredients. Why do you take an attitude of opposition about things you have no idea about. I will attatch some research to this email just to prove the results of IFG-! injections repairing tissue. We are on the same team. My goal is to help everyone overcome their injuries. You have no idea about TO and his injuries and what ourteam has dome for him. Have you read his MRI's and x-rays. How did he comeback so fast last year after completely braking his clacicle and having surgery?My emphasis) And as far as his core training is concerned, that part of his training is specifically for a groin injury, which you have no idea about. No matter how much genetic potential you have, NFL players will get hurt and our job is rehab. I am an honest, dependable scientist and physician who has helped thousands of people in pain. We are proponants for training and you take the attitude that for some reason we are against you. Next time, give me a call and we can discuss there things before you put information out there for others to see. Your comments on "Um, there are no known, legal substances that can re-grow tendons and ligaments". Are you a doctor or just printing thoughts with out doing one shread of research. So I guess you think TO is stupid for having his team around. Dont you think a player of his caliber will have the best. And by the way, who are you?
Dr Sloan. MD, NMD, MD(AM0, NMT FICAM
Below is you lack of knowledge abou things you have no idea.
After this poorly written post script, Dr. Sloan included his supporting scientific evidence.
This email is shocking for a whole bunch of different reasons. What do you think Dr. Sloan meant when he wrote, “You have no idea about TO and his injuries and what our team has dome for him. Have you read his MRI's and x-rays. How did he come back so fast last year after completely braking his clacicle [sic] and having surgery?”
And how about the rambling, borderline incoherent tone Sloan employed? Included as a part of this email – ostensibly to prove Sloan’s point that legit research existed backing his methods – were a bunch of sketchy studies involving IGF-1 performed on rats, horses, and in lab dishes, and mostly done outside the United States. As a matter of fact, in one of the studies showing that IGF-1 could re-grow connective tissues, the subject horses had to be killed in order for the researchers to be able to examine the areas where this re-growth occurred. Anyway…
Nowhere in my original piece did I mention IGF-1, any illegal substances, or any drugs not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, nor did I say an experimental drug was being used in the treatment of Owens.
In my responding email, when I pointed out the results of these studies involving IGF-1 hardly justified the use in humans, the drugs in question hadn’t been approved for use in humans beyond a very narrow application, and questioned how a person of Owens' caliber could be involved in using experimental treatments, Sloan employed a more conciliatory tone in his next email, but still made little sense.
Dear Sal,
You would find that I would be much more responsive if you were not so confrontive. Please ease up a little. I sent you a few research studies that you are basing my entire therapy on. Being trained by different doctors around the world, my view of injury and rehab. is much broader than the typical Orthopedic training. We use many different injection techniques and substances. IGF-1 is extremely beneficial and works very well for healing ligament, tendon and cartilage. I just recently healed a 60% tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in a Pro Baseball Player using a combination of GH, IGF-1, and prolotherpy. We have the team MRI, pre and post, to prove it. Also, I have healed a couple of anterior meniscus tears without surgery. There are others as well. (My emphasis) I am a clinician and I am also helping with human trial studies at this time. There is NO unwanted side effects of anything I use. SO, we either get great results or mediocre results. But we get results. A great practitioner not only knows what is wrong, but what to use to fix the problem. IGF-1 is not extremely experimental, its not even dangerous, used properly. I'm very cautious and use almost all natural agents, seeing that I am trying to heal tissue, not band aid injury. IFG-1 is used sparingly and in very specific protocols.
There are other companies and other research, too much to mention. I'm not sure why you have taken such interest in this topic. You know I cant mention any treatment regarding TO, and I probably shouldn't have to explain myself in any fashion. The proof is in the pudding, I always say to my patients. What matters is if people get better. I'm sure you take a similar philosophy. I take my life's work very seriously and I don't have time to defend myself in emails from people around the world who are curious about the next great future step in medicine. Please don't take that offensively. Exciting advances are coming soon.
Sincerely, Dr.M. Hank Sloan
You would find that I would be much more responsive if you were not so confrontive. Please ease up a little. I sent you a few research studies that you are basing my entire therapy on. Being trained by different doctors around the world, my view of injury and rehab. is much broader than the typical Orthopedic training. We use many different injection techniques and substances. IGF-1 is extremely beneficial and works very well for healing ligament, tendon and cartilage. I just recently healed a 60% tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in a Pro Baseball Player using a combination of GH, IGF-1, and prolotherpy. We have the team MRI, pre and post, to prove it. Also, I have healed a couple of anterior meniscus tears without surgery. There are others as well. (My emphasis) I am a clinician and I am also helping with human trial studies at this time. There is NO unwanted side effects of anything I use. SO, we either get great results or mediocre results. But we get results. A great practitioner not only knows what is wrong, but what to use to fix the problem. IGF-1 is not extremely experimental, its not even dangerous, used properly. I'm very cautious and use almost all natural agents, seeing that I am trying to heal tissue, not band aid injury. IFG-1 is used sparingly and in very specific protocols.
There are other companies and other research, too much to mention. I'm not sure why you have taken such interest in this topic. You know I cant mention any treatment regarding TO, and I probably shouldn't have to explain myself in any fashion. The proof is in the pudding, I always say to my patients. What matters is if people get better. I'm sure you take a similar philosophy. I take my life's work very seriously and I don't have time to defend myself in emails from people around the world who are curious about the next great future step in medicine. Please don't take that offensively. Exciting advances are coming soon.
Sincerely, Dr.M. Hank Sloan
These admissions were made by Dr. Sloan, not in defense of any accusations I made with regard to substances used, but in response to my statement that there are no known, legal substances available capable of regrowing connective tissues.
If this Dr. Sloan has used these substances in his practice – and knowing what we know about how drugs are used to enhance performance in sport – is it logical to believe other orthopedic surgeons use them? Despite Dr. Sloan’s assertion, at the time I wrote the original piece, IGF-1 was experimental and had been approved for use in humans only in the case of children who suffer from IGF-1 deficiency and as a result suffer from growth failure. The email I recieved from Tercica – the company conducting IGF-1 research – confirmed my assertion that IGF-1 was, in fact, experimental and was not being studied for use in "other indications."
I'm not saying any of the athletes discussed here are using IGF-1.
And I’m not saying I disagree with the idea that professional athletes should be able to take advantage of any methods possible to aid their recovery from surgery or the rigors of their sport.
But, people need to realize there is a lot more going on out there with athletes – a lot more than some dopes misusing steroids and other substances.
Advances in performance enhancing substances are being used by athletes in all sports, both to aid rehabilitation and for performance enhancement. And as advances are made, athletes will continue to employ these substances as they prepare for their sport.
- - - Updated - - -
And to think, This is from 2006... 7 years ago!!!
