Use of Bone Marrow Concentrate for Treatment of Alar, Accessory, and Transverse Ligament Injuries

Launched by REGENEXX, LLC · Apr 24, 2018

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new treatment approach for patients dealing with certain neck injuries, specifically injuries to ligaments in the upper cervical area, which can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or visual disturbances. The study aims to see if using a special concentration of bone marrow (a substance found in our bones that produces blood cells) can help improve stability in the neck for those who have not found relief through other treatments.

To participate, individuals must be between 18 and 65 years old and have experienced a specific neck injury within the last 10 years, leading to ongoing symptoms. Participants should be able to manage daily activities on their own and have not responded well to other non-surgical treatments. It’s important for potential participants to know that this trial is currently recruiting and will involve an evaluation to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. The study offers a chance to try a new treatment option while contributing to valuable research that could help others in similar situations.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • -1) Voluntary signature of the IRB approved Informed Consent, 2) Skeletally mature Male or Female ages 18 to 65 3) Must have a specific inciting injury event that occurred less than 10 years ago where the patient experienced trauma that caused the problem-meaning from that day on, they had the symptoms for which they are now seeking treatment 4) Upper cervical symptoms predominate: Patient must have a headache since the event and must have one of the following: dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, or visual disturbances 5) Patient must be able to care for themselves without assistance 6) NDI percentage score (raw NDI score times 2) at least 30 (moderate disability) 7) Imaging: Must have DMX lateral overhang of C1 on C2 in lateral bending open mouth view of at least 3mm or grabb-oakes of \>9mm on cervical flexion MRI-change in signal on static imaging does not qualify the patient 8) Has not responded long-term to conservative care 9) Upper cervical fusion candidate 10) Exam is c/w upper cervical injury (i.e. tenderness along upper cervical facet joints and/or musculature/skull base, proprioceptive difficulties)
• • 11) Is independent, ambulatory, and can comply with all post-operative evaluations and visits 12) Patient states strong desire to avoid surgery
• Exclusion criteria:
• • 13) Known or diagnosed EDS based on Beighton criteria: https://www.physio-pedia.com/Beighton_score 14) Lower or mid-cervical symptomatic disease (tenderness in mid to lower cervical facets, radiculopathy, radiating symptoms into shoulder blade, epicondylitis, numbness and tingling in hands) 15) Prior spinal fusion or surgery at any segment in cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine 16) NDI % score \> than 56 (severe disability), unless at the discretion of the independent physician review 17) Prior or current history of a metabolic disorder like diabetes, anorexia, other eating disorder, BMI\>40 18) Unable to tolerate injections due to central sensitization (i.e. significant intolerance to manual therapy such as massage, activity such as physical therapy, or an exaggerated pain response to prior injection therapy) 19) Prior epidural or other milligram dose steroid injection in any area within the past 6 months 20) Prior prolotherapy or platelet-based injections to the cervical spine within the last 3 months 21) Prior radiofrequency ablation to the cervical spine within the last 2 years 22) Physical infirmity that is incompatible with the procedure and/or anesthesia required for same 23) Unable to tolerate the injection position 24) Abnormal anatomy seen on MRI imaging that would make the procedure higher risk (e.g. congenital atlanto-axial fusion, atlas assimilation, upper cervical fracture or surgical fusion) 25) Inflammatory or auto-immune based pathology (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia, polymyositis, gout, pseudo gout) 26) Quinolone or Statin induced myopathy/tendinopathy 27) Condition represents a worker's compensation case 28) Currently involved in a health-related litigation procedure 29) Is pregnant 30) Bleeding disorders 31) Currently taking anticoagulant or immunosuppressive medication 32) Allergy or intolerance to study medication 33) Use of and significant physical dependence on a chronic opioid (\>20 mg oxycodone equivalent per day) 34) Documented history of drug abuse within six months of treatment 35) Any other condition, that in the opinion of the investigator, that would preclude the patient from enrollment