We were thrilled to have Dr Isagani Leal visit from Manilla, Philippines. Dr Leal completed his residency training in Tel Aviv, Israel and specializes in non-surgical orthopaedics utilizing musculoskeletal ultrasound. Of great interest, Dr Leal is the first Dr that I am
aware of who utilizes ultrasound guided acupuncture known as “Intramuscular stimulation.” Developed by Dr Chan Gun, this practice emphasizes that tendon injuries are a result of shortened & contracted muscles. For example if someone has achilles tendon pain, the shortened muscles of the calf & tibialis posterior must be relaxed. Dr Leal palpates the shortened muscle and marks a spot that reproduces pain in the patient. Afterwards Dr Leal uses ultrasound to look into the muscle & inserts an acupuncture like needle into the muscle belly & illicits a “twitch.” The patient perceives a brief pulse known as “Qi (chi)” The needle is left in for 3 minutes then removed & heat is provided with ultrasound. According to Dr Leal patients need 2 treatments one wk apart & may have tremendous relief.
I must admit the idea is interesting having an acupuncture background myself. However this theory may influence us to consider injecting not only the tendon that is damaged but simultaneously relaxing the affected muscle. This phenomenon may also explain why some tendon injuries don’t respond appropriately when treated.
We may have learned more from Dr Leal than he from us! Many thanks to our kind patients who allowed Dr Leal to observe various procedures for the week! We hope to collaborate with Dr Leal in PRP research together.
Dr Sampson
Last week after our visit from Japanese Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Sobajima, we were honored to have Dr Betul Turan of Turkey visit us. Dr Turan is a Physiatrist who specializes in non-surgical orthopaedics. Her husband is an Orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in cartilage regeneration & repair. Together they are creating a state of the art Regenerative Medicine clinic in Orthopaedics. Dr Turan observed numerous cases including platelet rich plasma injections utilizing ultrasound guidance. In 2009 we had numerous Dr’s from across the world including Canada, Australia, Korea, Japan, Turkey and others observe procedures for training.
Along with Orthopaedist Ben DuBois MD, Dr Steven Sampson will be hosting a training seminar “Introduction to Shoulder Ultrasound.” The course will be in Seattle WA on June 27, 2009 from 8:30am-5:30pm. Dr Sampson also will be acting as a Preceptor to train physicians who are beginning their ultrasound training.
I recently launched a web site on PRP. It is another resource for health professionals & patients to learn more about this emerging therapy. Additionally, I will be hosting a conference in early May 2008, in Los Angeles to train other physicians on the use of PRP along with musculoskeletal ultrasound guidance.
The site will include testimonials as well as promote further communication amongst patients.
