Austin Ortho + Biologics: Kelly Cunningham, MD

Patella Cartilage Graft in a Young Athlete: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

"Patella Cartilage Graft in a Young Athlete"

Read Dr. Cunningham's surgery on a young athlete where he performed a complete articular lesion coverage with improved & stable patella tracking.

https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/patella-cartilage-graft-in-a-young-athlete

Kelly Cunningham MD
Austin Ortho + Biologics
Board-Certified Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Office & Surgical options:
Cell-Based (formerly called "Stem Cell") & PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy

Patella Cartilage Graft in a Young Athlete: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist Still symptomatic months after patellofemoral subluxation and arthroscopic debridement/Carticel autograft harvesting - Definitive re-surfacing and re-alignment

A Re-Look at the Value of Cell-Based (Formerly "Stem Cell") Therapy: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

"Dr. Kelly Cunningham takes a re-look at the value of cell-based (formerly “stem cell”) Therapy in Orthopedics, specifically injection of subchondral bone"

Read Dr. Cunningham’s current thoughts on the use of this regenerative medicine technique in this article at https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/a-re-look-at-the-value-of-cell-based-formerly-stem-cell-therapy

Kelly Cunningham MD
Austin Ortho + Biologics
Board-Certified Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Office & Surgical options:
Cell-Based (formerly called "Stem Cell") & PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy

A Re-Look at the Value of Cell-Based (Formerly "Stem Cell") Therapy: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist Experience after the study by the esteemed Dr. Philip Hernigou of Paris reveals the long-term success of bone marrow-derived cell-based therapy in knee arthriti

Austin Ortho + Biologics: Kelly Cunningham, MD updated their information in their About section.

Austin Ortho + Biologics: Kelly Cunningham, MD updated their information in their About section.

Ortho+Biologics Is...: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

"Ortho+Biologics is"

Read Dr. Cunningham’s current thoughts on the use of regenerative medicine technique ms in this article at https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/orthobiologics-is

Kelly Cunningham MD
Austin Ortho + Biologics
Board-Certified Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Office & Surgical options:
Cell-Based (formerly called "Stem Cell") & PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy

Ortho+Biologics Is...: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist Facts and myths of regenerative medicine treatment PRP & Cell-based "Stem Cell" Therapy defined...

An Alternative Method of Meniscus Root Tear Fixation with Biologic Augmentation: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

"An Alternative Method of Meniscus Root Tear Fixation with Biologic Augmentation"

Read Dr. Cunningham’s thoughts in this article at https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/an-alternative-method-of-meniscus-root-tear-fixation-with-biologic-augmentation

Kelly Cunningham MD
Austin Ortho + Biologics
Board-Certified Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Office & Surgical
Cell-Based (formerly "Stem Cell") & PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy

An Alternative Method of Meniscus Root Tear Fixation with Biologic Augmentation: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist An alternative method of meniscus root tear fixation with biologic augmentation performed by Dr. Kelly Cunningham.

A Biologic Alternative for ACL Repair: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

"A Biologic Alternative to ACL Repair"

Read Dr. Cunningham’s thoughts in this article at https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/a-biologic-alternative-for-acl-repair

Kelly Cunningham MD
Austin Ortho + Biologics
Board-Certified Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Office & Surgical
Cell-Based (formerly "Stem Cell") & PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy

A Biologic Alternative for ACL Repair: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist A biologic alternative for ACL repair performed by Dr. Kelly Cunningham.

Practice Profile: Dr. Kelly Cunningham & Austin OrthoBiologics: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Dr. Cunningham shares excerpts from his featured article in Tribeza Austin Lifestyle.

https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/practice-profile-dr-kelly-cunningham-austin-orthobiologics

Practice Profile: Dr. Kelly Cunningham & Austin OrthoBiologics: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist Excerpts from Tribeza January 2022 article

TRIBEZA January 2022 Wellness Issue

Tribeza Austin lifestyle magazine profiles Dr. Kelly Cunningham of Austin OrthoBiologics in the January, 2022, issue on healthcare, with answers to questions about orthopedic regenerative medicine, PRP & Cell-based therapy.
https://lnkd.in/ej4Urs3j

https://lnkd.in/epCkvTDV

TRIBEZA January 2022 Wellness Issue Read TRIBEZA January 2022 Wellness Issue by TRIBEZA Austin Curated on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start here!

Have you been told that you need arthroscopic surgery of the knee?: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Have you been told that you need arthroscopic surgery of the knee?

Read Dr. Cunningham’s thoughts in this article at https://lnkd.in/g3-5afb6

Kelly Cunningham MD
Austin Ortho + Biologics
Board-Certified Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Office & Surgical
Cell-Based (formerly "Stem Cell") & PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy

Have you been told that you need arthroscopic surgery of the knee?: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist The pros and cons of knee surgery can be discussed with a board certified orthopedic surgeon skilled in regenerative medicine techniques, to find what is the b

Title: An Unusual Knee Cartilage Graft "Complication": Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

An Unusual Knee Cartilage Graft “Complication”

Read Dr. Cunningham’s thoughts in this article at https://austinorthobio.com/blog/title-an-unusual-knee-cartilage-graft-complication.

Kelly Cunningham MD
Austin Ortho + Biologics
Board-Certified Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Office & Surgical
Cell-Based (formerly "Stem Cell") & PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Therapy

Title: An Unusual Knee Cartilage Graft "Complication": Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist Dr. Cunningham, as an expert in arthroscopic and open surgical cartilage grafting for knee and shoulder injuries, present an interesting follow up of an allogra

Austin Ortho + Biologics: Kelly Cunningham, MD updated their address.

Austin Ortho + Biologics: Kelly Cunningham, MD updated their address.

The "Holy Grail" of Joint Arthritis Treatment: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

An excellent lay article on the future of joint arthritis care, from the Wall Street Journal.

Our “Austin OrthoBiologics” take on the research…

https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/the-holy-grail-of-joint-arthritis-treatment

The "Holy Grail" of Joint Arthritis Treatment: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist With millions of Americans suffering from knee, hip & shoulder arthritis pain, future treatment may hinge on prevention & perhaps repair rather than replacement

A New Tool for the arthroscopist's kit

A New Tool for the Arthroscopist's Kit

Interesting case of an athletic male in his late 30s with right knee pain; MRI shows "intermediate" medial condyle signal and no meniscus tear, with a previous resection. He hasn't responded to conservative care.

What is one to do?

My evolving plan for patients like this, when the MRI is equivocal and the patient is not improving, is to consider evaluating another "piece of the puzzle" - the poorly visualized (by MRI) chondral articular cartilage.

This can be done by office or procedure room-based "needle" arthroscopy ( I use the Arthrex Nanoscope system). In this case, "intermediate signal" turns out to be grade 3 articular cartilage changes with obvious mechanical impingement of flap tears and delamination, in addition to a small recurrent medial meniscus tear. I could also clearly see that there were no full thickness areas of damage.

None of these specific findings were forthcoming on the scan.

Now, I can plan a definitive procedure; whether or not a chondral graft/resurfacing is indicated (in this case, just debridement), and appropriate CPT coding for the staged/treating arthroscopy, which should also facilitate proper reimbursement.

Dr. Kelly Cunningham Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

Austin OrthoBiologics are your experts in Orthopedic regenerative sports medicine, utilizing cellular "stem cell" and PRP therapy for the treatment of joint and musculoskeletal problems, including shoulder, knee, hip, elbow and ankle.

https://youtube.com/shorts/UiL_oVTyrmY?feature=share

A New Tool for the arthroscopist's kit Interesting case of an athletic male in his late 30s with right knee pain; MRI shows "intermediate" medial condyle signal and no meniscus tear, with a previo...

Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC) to Delay / Avoid Knee Replacement Surgery: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Another ingenious, groundbreaking study of the uses of Cellular "stem cell" Therapy for knee arthritis... my take on Dr. Philippe Hernigou's paper re: delay/avoid knee replacement surgery

https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/bone-marrow-concentrate-bmc-to-delay-avoid-knee-replacement-surgery

Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC) to Delay / Avoid Knee Replacement Surgery: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist Interesting findings when comparing long-term results of Cellular "stem cell" therapy, referred to as BMC, in avoiding progression to TKA. Two methods are revi

An Update on "Stem Cell" Therapy

The orthopedic regenerative medicine treatment commonly referred to as “Stem Cell” has evolved as more scientific study and clinical use has occurred.

Current knowledge of the action of these cells on joints, cartilage, tendons and ligaments is one of a paracrine “signaling” function, attracting the patient’s own healing growth factors, multi-potent cells, macroglogulins and IRAP, fancy terms for blood-borne healing factors that are concentrated for long-term action at the site of injury.

Reference to “Stem Cell”, MSC, mesenchymal stem/stromal cell will eventually fade, as these terms are less accurate and outdated by current standards…

For simplicity’s sake, we refer to this mode of treatment as “Cellular Therapy”. It is still most commonly harvested/concentrated from a patient’s own bone marrow (or occasionally fat).

Thus, for complete transparency –

Cellular Therapy “Stem Cell”

Bone Marrow Aspirate BMC



Kelly Cunningham MD

Austin Ortho Biologics

PRP and Cellular Therapy Specialist

Board-certified Orthopedic Surgery

Trimming & Ablation

After trimming & ablation “sculpting” of the medial meniscus rim, a root tear of the posterior horn is observed & probed to demonstrate instability. Note the grade 3 cartilage changes of the overlying femur.

Kelly Cunningham, MD
Austin OrthoBiologics.
PRP. Cellular “Stem Cell” Therapy

Trimming & Ablation After trimming & ablation "sculpting" of the medial meniscus rim, a root tear of the posterior horn is observed & probed to demonstrate instability. Note th...

Suture Repair

After suture repair (augmented by PRP), the re-attached root is stable, hopefully to restore some protective cushion with weight-bearing. The femur cartilage needs more clean up...

Kelly Cunningham
Austin OrthoBiologics.
PRP. Cellular “Stem Cell” Therapy

Suture Repair After suture repair (augmented by PRP), the re-attached root is stable, hopefully to restore some protective cushion with weight-bearing. The femur cartilag...

Dr. Kelly Cunningham and the team at Austin Ortho+Biologics have developed a focused and reproducible strategy for dealing with orthopedic injuries of the knee.
Through years of research, clinical orthopedic practice and evaluation of results, methods of treatment have evolved to deal with various common injuries, in athletes of all ages.
Regenerative biologic techniques can be used as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with outpatient knee surgery:

Knee Injury
Treatment Recommendation

1. Meniscus cartilage tear
Pain
PRP
Surgical meniscus repair + PRP (if failed PT trial^)

Pain + “mechanical symptoms” Surgical repair + PRP

notes: ^PT trial = an initial course of Physical Therapy, based on patient-specific activity, to attempt to delay/avoid surgery ^

“mechanical symptoms” such as knee catching, locking, repeated swelling

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma injection, patient-derived) has demonstrated an ability to relieve pain, improve function & provide growth factors to knee cartilage injury - in contrast to steroid injection, which may limit healing & treatment options

Combined with meniscus repair (arthroscopic, outpatient procedure), PRP may improve cartilage healing rates



2. Articular cartilage injury

Pain, loss of function, mech symptoms

“surface” lesion
MACI, Biocartilage “enhanced” microfracture surgery

with bone involvement
auto/allograft osteochondral OATS surgery

notes: PRP &/or MSC (Cellular "stem cell") may be used to augment articular cartilage repair

requires normal limb alignment/no underlying arthritis

3. ACL tear

Partial tear
brace, PT trial^
consider PRP/MSC injection

Complete tear/knee instability
Level I/II athlete:
ACL ligament reconstruction, PRP

Less active adults*:
PT trial^, sports brace

notes: Combined with patient-derived & especially donor-derived ACL grafts, PRP may improve healing rates

*Failed conservative care may necessitate surgery*


Dr. Cunningham is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with special interest in the treatment of cartilage injuries and degeneration of the shoulder, knee, hip and elbow.
He focuses on non-surgical and surgical care of his patients, using innovative and cutting-edge regenerative sports medicine techniques, including cellular “stem cell” & PRP (“platelet-rich plasma”) therapy.
He has practiced in Austin, Texas, for over 30 years.

austinorthobio.com 512-410-0767



AUTHOR

Dr. Kelly Cunningham
Physician

Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist & Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist Austin, TX: Austin Ortho + Biologics

New LinkedIn post:

 “Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair: Surgical Video Technique”
Arthroscopic cuff repair augmented by PRP platelet rich plasma Biologics at surgery.
New literature suggests a significant role for PRP in
-healing
-prevention of re-tear
rotator cuff injuries of many types and sizes.
The same may be true for Cellular therapy “Stem Cell” use in larger repairs. 

Kelly Cunningham MD
Austin Ortho+Biologics
austinorthobio.com

Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist & Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist Austin, TX: Austin Ortho + Biologics Trusted Regenerative Medicine Specialist & Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist serving Austin, TX. Contact us at 512-410-0767 or visit us at 3003 Bee Cave Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746: Austin Ortho + Biologics

Austin OrthoBiologics: State of the Art 2021 Part I - Shoulder: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Check out our new post discussing the care of shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, cartilage injuries and arthritis.
Leading-edge technology merged with tried-and-true nonsurgical and surgical treatment plans:

https://lnkd.in/gqrsQw2

Austin OrthoBiologics: State of the Art 2021 Part I - Shoulder: Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist Evolving techniques in the biologic (PRP, "Stem Cell") treatment of common shoulder injuries, with and without surgery by Kelly Cunningham, MD

Evaluating & Treating Knee & Shoulder Ski Injuries

https://www.austinorthobio.com/blog/evaluating-treating-knee-shoulder-ski-injuries

Many healthcare providers have now been scheduled for the initial Covid vaccine dose in Austin.
I received my first dose today.
Thanks to the professionals who donate their time so that we can stay healthy and keep treating patients!

Austin OrthoBiologics
Leading the way in regenerative sports medicine, PRP, cellular “Stem Cell” therapy

Ortho + Biologics is:

A treatment aimed at restoring joint function by harnessing the natural healing processes of the body.
Your own Cellular “Stem Cell” & Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)
Allograft cord blood/placental products - under study
Ideal for knee, shoulder & hip applications
In conjunction with or instead of surgery for joint pain, injury, arthritis
Best applied to the patient with a systematic, innovative & data-driven approach by an orthopedic musculoskeletal specialist, not just as pain management.


Ortho + Biologics is not:

A “cure-all” for joint pain and stiffness; restoration of long-term function is the goal of treatment.
A way to fully “regenerate” worn-out joints in the mature athlete, at least not in its present form. This will happen!
Routinely recognized by health insurance, especially the injections, and therefore not reimbursed. We offer fair, cost-effective pricing.
To learn more about “What is Orthobiologics?” please contact us.

Kelly Cunningham MD

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon & regenerative sports medicine specialist

Austin OrthoBiologics Austinorthobio.com 512-410-0767

Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist & Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist Austin, TX: Austin Ortho + Biologics

We are seeing good results with cellular “stem cell” therapy for rotator cuff tears of the shoulder.
There are indications for both office treatments and surgical use, combined with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Look for a video of the latter soon… Remind Kelly Cunningham MD
Board-certified orthopedic and regenerative sports medicine
Austinorthobio.com

Kelly Cunningham, MD: Regenerative Medicine Specialist & Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist Austin, TX: Austin Ortho + Biologics Trusted Regenerative Medicine Specialist & Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist serving Austin, TX. Contact us at 512-410-0767 or visit us at 3003 Bee Cave Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78746: Austin Ortho + Biologics

FLEX Accounts/HSA for PRP/Cellular Therapy "Stem Cell" at Austin OrthoBiologics

Here’s some good news for those with Health Saving or Flexible Spending Accounts regarding PRP/Cellular Therapy "Stem Cell":

Dr. Kelly Cunningham & Austin OrthoBiologics are set up to take FSA cards and HSAs (Health Savings Accounts). This is truly beneficial news for those needing joint pain relief with PRP/stem cell treatment. You may not have considered using these kinds of savings plans for biologic/cellular "stem cell" therapy before, but hopefully, this can save you some money in the long run.

So if you’ve been worried about the cost for a successful mode of treatment that insurance does not cover, now might be the time to re-consider.

Stem cell & PRP can be used to provide long-term pain relief and increase activity in mild to moderate arthritis and tendonitis of the knee, shoulder, elbow and hip. It can be used in conjunction with arthroscopic day surgery to boost results, or as a stand-alone treatment in the office.



What Is A Flexible Spending Account?

Your specific health plan or insurance might come with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If you are unsure about what that is, these are a special account that you put money into that isn’t taxed. The saved money allows you to contribute to healthcare-related needs like co-pays, deductibles, prescription medications, and even medical equipment. Our treatments are covered in this plan. You generally have a limit on the amount of money that can go into an FSA and depending on your company’s insurance plan, you have to use that money up within the calendar year.

What Is a Health Savings Account?

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is another type of tax-advantaged savings plan that helps pay for high-deductible insurance plans. You can have one of these accounts if you have a qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), with tax-free savings up to $1750 for an individual and $2750 for a family, in addition to any employer-provided contribution. These are a little different from FSAs because you can usually roll over the saved money year-to-year.

In either case, many patients at Austin OrthoBiologics have used these funds successfully to cover needed Plate-Rich Plasma (PRP) or cellular "Stem Cell" treatments for the last few years.

Let us help you get back to full activity in a pain-free manner while avoiding the cost and long recovery of joint replacement. We accept almost all insurance, including Medicare & Workers Compensation, to get you started on the road to recovery. Dr. Cunningham is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who will consider all of your treatment options in a thoughtful, cost-efficient manner. (For example, Xrays & MRI, if recommended, are covered by insurance.)

Schedule an office visit with Kelly Cunningham MD and Austin OrthoBiologics today!



AUTHOR

Dr. Kelly Cunningham
Physician

Orthopedic Injuries and their causes/treatment

Knee injuries and pain are among the most common orthopedic problems that we evaluate but there are other injuries that can occur due to different types of sports. Below are a few examples of sports as well as some of the issues that can occur from participating in these activities.

High-impact

Running triathlons
Basketball
Tennis
Soccer
Lower-impact

Golf
Cycling
Skiing
These type of sports can put a toll on even the most fit and enthusiastic athlete over the years. This can lead to acute or chronic injury, with cartilage damage as a result, robbing you of the enjoyment of an active lifestyle.

Elbow and shoulder pain are often the result of chronic tendonitis or overuse. The stresses of throwing and overhead sports are often the culprit.



Muscle & tendon injuries (acute or chronic sprains, strains, pulls, inflammation) can keep you from engaging in the activities you enjoy as they may heal frustratingly slowly. Sprains and strains of muscles, tendons and ligaments can be an unfortunate consequence of the sporting life, especially as we get older and less supple. Fortunately, there are innovative new "Biologic" injection techniques that offer a chance to speed recovery from injury. Less time on the sideline leads to a quicker return to the activities and lifestyle you love.

Articular (“hard”) cartilage injuries, while less common and more difficult to discern, can result in long-term activity restrictions as well.

Fortunately, improved diagnostic abilities and innovative new treatment techniques such as “stem cell” grafts & cellular therapies are revolutionizing the recovery from this once lifestyle-threatening problem. Cartilage repair and restoration means minimizing the long-term possibility of pain and even arthritis after a successful return to your sport.

Sprains/Strains

Sprains and strains of muscles, tendons and ligaments can be an unfortunate consequence of the sporting life, especially as we get older and less supple. Fortunately, there are innovative new injection techniques such as PRP “platelet-rich plasma” that offer a chance to speed recovery from injury. Less time on the sideline leads to a quicker return to the activities and lifestyle you love.



Sports can be rough on joints and cartilage, especially shoulders, knees, and hips. Kelly Cunningham, MD, has cared for many young and mature athletes whose joints take a beating day in and day out. He welcomes patients from Austin, Texas, and its surrounding communities to experience the cutting-edge technology and skill offered by his team at Austin Ortho Biologics.

Dr. Cunningham works with each athlete to develop an individual treatment plan that emphasizes the least invasive treatments possible with a goal of minimal recuperation and downtime. He combines rigorous standards and quality of care with experience and insight, integrating the latest & best new techniques into the care of each patient.