Don’t Operate; Regenerate

Alternative to Neck and Back Surgery

At 70, Frank DeLauro is thrilled to be enjoying his retirement to the fullest. Two to three days a week, you can spot him running around Viera East Golf Club, where he works as a Starter. On the days Frank isn’t running around the green, he enjoys hitting the gym and playing bocce ball at Heritage Isle. Two years ago, however, he wasn’t doing any of these things.

At age 55, in an attempt to continue his exciting career, Frank underwent bilateral hip replacement surgery. For 10 years after the procedure, he continued to manage severe neck and back pain until lack of mobility forced him to retire.

At 67, Frank found himself facing a stark reality. “I couldn’t stand for more than 10 minutes or walk farther than 200 feet without severe pain.”  His cane became his constant companion, and on particularly bad days, he found himself confined to a wheelchair. Frank then began suffering from knee and shoulder pain that made even simple, everyday tasks unbearable.  

Desperate for relief, Frank sought the help of an orthopedic surgeon. There, he learned he was suffering from stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and his body, spine and joints were riddled with degenerative osteoarthritis. What came next was some unsettling news. “He told me I would need a spinal fusion if I ever wanted to walk or stand again without pain. He also said I would need total joint replacement surgery on my knees and shoulders, in the future, to get back to an active lifestyle. To me, those were not acceptable options. There had to be another way.” Overwhelmed, Frank began searching for another solution. After a lot of research, Frank found Restoralife and began his journey with Regenerative Treatments.

Nonsurgical Treatment for Chronic Pain

It comes as no surprise that many chronic pain sufferers are looking to avoid the pain, downtime and potential health risks of invasive surgery. Today, regenerative medicine allows patients like Frank to do just that. “Many people are surprised to learn that chronic pain can often be treated without the use of steroidal injections, medications or surgery,” asserts Dr. Leyte. “A major benefit to this form of treatment is that it requires no downtime. Furthermore, surgery does not always fix the ‘pain’ problem. In fact, it could very well be a complicated process resulting in more pain. Many of our patients have experienced that exact scenario.” Fortunately for such patients, this cutting-edge technology is changing that.

Regenerative medicine is a unique approach to chronic pain treatment that harnesses the body’s natural healing abilities. Using a combination therapy approach, stem cells, platelet-rich plasma and laser therapy protocols are combined to address chronic pain at its source.

Regenerative techniques utilize healthy stem cells or cell based growth factors to repair and regrow damaged cartilage, ligaments, tendons, discs, bone, muscle, etc. When combined with platelet-rich plasma and deep-tissue laser therapy, the body’s ability to regenerate is further harnessed and accelerated. Rather than masking pain symptoms, regenerative medicine provides the body with the resources and environment necessary to heal the source of pain.

At RestoraLife, the mission is clear: “Our vision is that one day, regenerative treatments will take the place of most spine and joint surgeries. Our staff work diligently to create an environment where this vision is becoming reality for our patients,” states Nicole Hadjadj, CEO. For Frank, who was told he’d likely be on pain medication for the rest of his life, the treatments were “a life-saver.”

Enjoying Life Again

After his first week at RestoraLife, Frank began to feel a difference. “I started walking without my cane more often,” he recalls. “I got rid of it a month after starting treatment. Every week, I was feeling better and better. I really couldn’t believe it.” By his second month of treatment, Frank was feeling so much better, he decided to get back out on the green. He approached the team at Viera East Golf Club and began working part-time as a ranger. He even started going to the gym again — something he hadn’t been able to do in years.

Now, after two years of improved lifestyle from his spinal treatment, Frank is back at RestoraLife to have treatment on his knees and shoulders.  “For me, it was an easy decision. I want to keep my joints and avoid surgery. Two and a half years ago, I walked in here with a cane and RestoraLife gave me another lease on life.  Now I’m back because I want more out of life. I want to do as much as I can.”