Algocells Blog

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a common victim of knee injuries. It is particularly vulnerable to twisting movements, such as ones during skiing, snowboarding and playing football. ACL plays a crucial role in stabilising knee joint. Its tear is one of the commonest sport injuries.

In Algocells we provide treatments which involve Platelet Rich Plasma (or stem cells) injection into C0/1, C1/2 joints and capsules, into further cervical facet joints, posterior ligaments and muscles. We also collaborate with Dr Iain Smith, a Chiropractor, who specialises in CCI and has a vast experience in treating this condition. We can also arrange an MRI imaging in London, dedicated to CCI diagnosis. The scans are assessed and interpreted by one of the leading Neuroradiologist, specialising in CCI.

We are now at a stage where we can to move forward with providing safe, effective treatments to our international patients, in accordance with UKBA and government guidelines.  

The time is coming when we will be able to reopen our treatment centre on 1st June 2020! It is a great news for all of us. Our mission is to treat you, patients in need and in pain. But we are aware of our responsibility to treat you in a safe environment, protecting you and ourselves from the infection. That's why, following Regenexx guidelines, we are launching a six steps MAX Covid-19 Protection Zone to make sure that our treatments are provided in the safe conditions. 

You might have heard that steroids are not good as they can cause many complications and are not free from side effects, some of them serious. The issue has become even more acute in the time of coronavirus pandemic and indeed afterwards. Many health organisations, such as Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and British Society of Skeletal Radiologists have issued their guidelines where they advise a great caution regarding steroid shots during the pandemic.

The head of WHO said at a news conference on 16th March: “We have a simple message to all countries: test, test, test. All countries should be able to test all suspected cases, they cannot fight this pandemic blindfolded”. (The Economist). Well said but how can the virus be actually tested, you might wonder.

At the time of writing this post we are operational with some limitations: firstly, we encourage you to book teleconsultation with us rather than face to face appointment in the clinic, if applicable. This is simply safer option as it limits your and our travels and contacts with other people. Secondly, from 15th March we limit our treatment sessions to one patient per day. That way we limit the risks of viruses spreading between patients. Thirdly, we encourage patients coming from abroad to read our guidelines at the end of this post. We are here to help you, not harm you. 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been known for many years. So has Spectroscopy. But the recent advance is a combination of these two into one diagnostic tool. Spectroscopy is able to analyse a content of each and every disc and is able to show whether certain pain mediators are present in the disc or not, causing low back pain. Some clever researchers compared MRS with PD. The results were striking. MRS was far more accurate in diagnosing painful disc.

New Year time... Time for New Year resolutions. It is never too late to be active or even to start being active. We can help you achieve it, looking after your joints and spine.