Blog Archive
Kelly Cunningham MD Austin OrthoBiologics Fellow of Arthroscopy Association of North America Dr. Kelly Cunningham, with over three decades of experience in orthopedic and arthroscopic surgery in Austin, Texas, is one of a select membership of the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA). As a senior member of this...
130+ consecutive Austin OrthoBiologics patient treatments (non-surgical) compared to a LARGE (10,000 case) U.S. database from DataBiologics: Our patient-reported (PRO) pain relief results exceed those of the baseline by a significant margin! Age ranges are similar. There are some differences in joint selection; ours are mostly knee, shoulder & hip,...
Utilizing the DataBiologics platform, consecutive patients who received joint injections of biologics; namely, PRP &/or BMC/"stem cell", were asked to rate their pain on a 1 to 5 scale: - before injection - 1,3, 6 & 12 mos after injection Knee and shoulder made up the majority of...
https://youtu.be/N72ivolpnvA Video-1 Complex medial meniscus tear with an obvious avascular flap , requires resection to relieve the locking symptoms Video-2 After partial resection & "sculpting", a vascularized "fishmouth" horizontal tear remains. There are now options for repair of this - I utilized an "over/under" suture anchor technique to obtain...
BEAR ACL repair is another tool (in addition to BMC "stem cell" repair) to address acute tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee. Traditional and time-tested ACL reconstruction using a graft has a long track record and excellent safety profile, but it is now...
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/dF0BcJwwrsg Video 1: Medial meniscus root tear, with Grade 4 medial condyle. Do You Fix This? If so, How? Video 2: An all-inside loop suture & mattress root repair with adjuvant PRP. This seems more anatomic here than pull-through tibial fixation....
“I have been a patient of Dr Cunningham for 20 years, for knee meniscus & ligament surgery, rotator cuff tears, and biological treatments. He is a doctor who cares deeply for his patients’ well being, and who works hard to stay abreast of current developments in his field. He is...
Subchondral bone or intra-articular injection of bone marrow concentrate mesenchymal stem cells in bilateral knee osteoarthritis: what better postpone knee arthroplasty at fifteen years? A randomized study Philippe Hernigou 1 , Charlie Bouthors 2 , Claire Bastard 3 , Charles Henri Flouzat Lachaniette 3 , Helene Rouard 4 , Arnaud Dubory 3 Int Orthop 2021...
A ski injury that tears the anterior cruciate ligament is often right off of the femur/notch, allowing direct repair (vs. full reconstruction w/ a graft). Shorter rehab, quicker recovery, and often re-inforced with the Artelon flexgraft. Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/dAf7_lXoLV8 video #1 posterolateral ACL bundle tear, off the femoral origin....
Here’s some good news for those with Health Saving or Flexible Spending Accounts regarding PRP/Cell-based Therapy (formerly "Stem Cell"): Dr. Kelly Cunningham & Austin Ortho Biologics are set up to take FSA cards and HSAs (Health Savings Accounts). This is welcome relief for those needing joint pain relief with PRP/stem...
To help bulk up an autologous semitendinosis ACL graft, a bit deficient in diameter (gracilis was not adequate), I chose to augment with: ...
Keep in mind these tips to prevent injuries on the slopes. Kelly Cunningham, MD Regenerative Orthopedic Sports Medicine Specialist Founder, Austin Ortho+Biologics. As a 15-year US Olympic Men’s Ski Team physician and orthopedist, every year during the winter months I treat many ski & snowboard injuries. As traveling doctor for...
Kelly Cunningham MD, of Austin OrthoBiologics has again been named a "Top Texas Doctor" for 2022, as named by Texas Monthly magazine. The award "recognizes outstanding doctors who have obtained a high degree of ... professional achievement, as selected by their peers". This is the seventh time that Dr. Cunningham,...
More complex tear-types are reparable with advanced techniques augmented by biologics such as PRP. Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/H57t0x8b-bM Video #1 What appeared to be an irreparable posterior horn meniscus tear is actually treatable with partial resection (basket/shaver) of the avascular areas, followed by salvage of a substantial portion of the vascular...
An interesting article in the Wall Street Journal (“Check on Your FSA Now, or Be Stuck Buying Sunscreen in December”, WSJ 11/4/22) reminds employees that if they have a FSA (flexible savings account) set up for 2022, they must use the funds by the end of the year as they...
Patients have asked for my professional opinion on the recent Wall Street Journal article (“An ACL Tear That Heals Itself?", WSJ 9/3/2022), as an orthopedic surgeon that utilizes regenerative sports medicine treatments. Here are my thoughts : An admirable job by Dr. Murray and her colleagues at Boston Children’s Hospital,...
Frame 1 Persistent grade 3/4 patellar chondral lesion with mal-alignment/lateral tracking in a 16 year-old athlete. Frame 2 Surgery: circular Carticel autologous cartilage graft after culture/cell expansion (MACI procedure, Vericel) combined with distal (Fulkerson) re-alignment; complete articular lesion coverage, improved & stable patella tracking. Kelly Cunningham MDAustin OrthoBiologics austinorthobio.comBoard Certified...
Human bone marrow mesenchymal cell-based injection in subchondral lesions of knee osteoarthritis: a prospective randomized study versus contralateral arthroplasty at a mean fifteen year follow-up. Philippe Hernigou et. al. 6 April 2020 # SICOT International Orthopaedics Conclusions This study showed that subchondral bone marrow concentrate (BMC, as compared with...
Ortho + Biologics is: A treatment aimed at restoring joint function by harnessing the natural healing processes of the body. Your own Cell-based “Cell-based” & Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Allograft cord blood/placental products - under study Ideal for knee, shoulder & hip joint cartilage applications, elbow & ankle tendonitis In conjunction...
Part 1: https://youtu.be/Cwrft9JG_e4 Would you fix this medial meniscus root tear in a 58-year-old with grade 3 compartmental changes? How would you fix it? Part 2: https://youtu.be/QzWIL8NMb14 Horizontal and vertical mattress all-inside suture/suture anchor fixation into vascular capsule; added a third “bridging anchor”posteriorly. Bone fixation was felt too inferior/non-anatomic. Part...
Video 1: https://youtu.be/wQEeeCrzFGE Typical ski - associated proximal ACL tear at ~10 days. "Needle" arthroscopic view, after MRI confirmation. Note the hemarthrosis/healing environment, preserved by the closed Nanoscope technique, and the generally well-aligned ligament (except for the partial PL flap). Middle-aged female, occasional recreational athlete, strongly desired "conservative" care.Video 2:...
While in medical school and residency at Southwestern in Dallas, Dr. Cunningham felt the career pull of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. He completed knee and U.S. Ski team/sports medicine fellowships with renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colorado, as well as shoulder fellowship training in England and...
Have you been told you need arthroscopic surgery on your knee? New evidence from recent long-term studies suggest that: - Knee surgery does not correct all cartilage problems (Aprato et al, 2016). - PRP can heal up to 52% of meniscus cartilage tears, without...
https://youtu.be/1v0pYl5rkcE This is a patient 18 months postoperative from a revision patella allograft resurfacing utilizing Arthrex Cartiform, BMC,& patellofemoral realignment. As you can see, there is both soft tissue/retinacular and implant overgrowth, much like the "cauliflower lesion" occasionally seen with microfracture in years past. However, noticed the excellent...
Lots of comments and questions from my patients about this WSJ article [L Landro, Sep 9, 2021] on the future direction of joint osteoarthritis research:As quoted here, over 30 million Americans suffer from this progressive condition, with over 1 million knee and hip...
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...
Cellular Therapy Update The orthopedic regenerative medicine treatment commonly referred to as Cellular Therapy 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...
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...
Dr. Kelly Cunningham and the team at Austin Ortho+Biologics have developed a focused and reproducible strategy for dealing with orthopedic problems of the shoulder. Through years of research and literature review, clinical orthopedic practice and evaluation of results, methods of treatment have evolved to deal with various common injuries, often...
Small complete or near-complete tears of the rotator cuff of the shoulder are repairable using arthroscopic same-day surgery techniques, as demonstrated in the surgical video. No open incisions are required. This 90% insertional tear of the supraspinatus tendon was completed with a debridement technique to allow for healthy tissue-to-tissue repair....
Hurting from the slopes this season? Let us evaluate your lingering knee or shoulder injury Kelly Cunningham, MD Orthopedic & Regenerative Sports Medicine Specialist Founder, Austin Ortho Biologics. As a former US Olympic Men’s Ski Team physician and long-time Austin orthopedist, every year during the winter months,...
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...
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...
Sean Trupo, a long-time patient of Kelly Cunningham MD, and who grew up in Austin / Lake Travis, required ACL knee surgery as a college freshman and again (with a cartilage graft) as a junior in the other knee. This report, along with a Boston Globe article, tells the remarkable...
We would like to thank our patients for the honor of being named one of Austin's Top Doctors in Orthopedic and Sports Medicine. Austin OrthoBiologics, a leader in innovative regenerative sports medicine and both surgical and non-surgical joint care, works hard to meet our patients needs. We aim to create...
"Dr. Cunningham,I saw your physical therapist yesterday and we talked for a long time about my injury, the surgery and my recovery. She is wonderful! Thank you for the recommendation. I didn’t fully understand why and how my knee was where it was and after your & her explanations of...
A Randomized Controlled Single-Blind Study Demonstrating Superiority of Amniotic Suspension Allograft Injection Over Hyaluronic Acid and Saline Control for Modification of Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms. Jack Farr 1 , Andreas H Gomoll 2 , Adam B Yanke 3 , Eric J Strauss 4 , Katie C Mowry 5 , ASA...
Kelly Cunningham MD, has just been recertified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, pending continuing medical education. This is his third successful recertification in a 30-year clinical orthopedic surgery and sports medicine career in Austin, Texas. He remains in active private practice with an interest in knee and shoulder injuries and...
Click here for a Hyalofast scaffold animation. If you’re a recreational athlete who’s been grounded due to cartilage damage in your knee joint, research being performed by Dr. Kelly Cunningham of Austin OrthoBiologics and Seton Medical Center Austin (SMCA) may hold the answer to a much more effective way...
Dr. Kelly Cunningham attended the 1st Biologics Alliance Summit in Carlsbad, California this past February. The agenda was educational, innovative and developmental of new approaches and collaborations. The group included all multilevel and multidisciplinary stakeholders in this space and included a diverse group of scientists, clinicians, regulators, corporate, private equity...
Do you know some of the benefits of Cellular Therapy "Stem Cell"? Helps heal incisions and wounds Studies have discovered that stem cell therapy can help enhance the growth of new healthy skin tissue, enhance collagen production, stimulate hair development after incisions or loss, and help substitute scar tissue with...
Do you know what a Rotator cuff tear is? The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles of the upper arm. They allow you to raise and rotate the arm. The muscles are attached to the bones by tendons. The tendons of the rotator cuff allow the muscles to move...
With the end of a decade, comes the opportunity for a fresh start, and the areas of health, exercise and wellness are no exception. This is a great time to commit to a healthier lifestyle, and that doesn't have to mean resigning yourself to time in a crowded gym with tons of...
Make Healthy Food Choices For many of us, the holidays are an excuse to put aside healthy eating and enjoy yet another holiday cookie or cocktail. For people with arthritis, an indulgent, unhealthy holiday diet may end up causing a painful flare. In addition, poor food choices may increase the risk...
Here’s some good news for those with a Flexible Spending Accounts regarding Cellular Therapy ! At Austin Ortho Bio, we are set up to take FSA cards and HSA (health savings account). This is truly beneficial news for those needing some pain relief with cell-based treatment. You may not have...
Current concepts in intraosseous Platelet-Rich Plasma injections for knee osteoarthritis Diego Delgado,a Ane Garate,a Hunter Vincent,b Ane Miren Bilbao,c Rikin Patel,d Nicolás Fiz,c Steve Sampson,eand Mikel Sáncheza,c,∗ Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer Go to: Abstract Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative process that slowly destroys the joints producing pain and loss of function, and diminishes...
Knee injuries and knee pain are among the most common orthopedic problems that we evaluate. Both high-impact (running triathlons, basketball, tennis, soccer) and lower-impact (golf, cycling, skiing) sports can exact a toll on even the fittest and enthusiastic athlete over the years. This can lead to acute or chronic injury,...
Well, Ski Season is right around the corner! With fantastic scenery, tons of fun, lots of adrenaline, heaps of speed - and unfortunately a lot of knee injuries!! Each year around this time we start getting a steady stream of injuries from skiing, with many of them being knee ligament...
Earlier this month, Dr. Kelly Cunningham attended the Cartilage Restoration and Joint Preservation Society conference in Vancouver, Canada Oct 5-8, where international faculty and speakers presented the latest research and treatment options for articular cartilage injuries. In addition, stem cells and platelet-rich plasma Biologics were reviewed and recommendations (based on...
ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT (ACL) SPRAINS ACL sprains account for about 15% of skiing injuries. They are one of the more serious knee injuries, partly because a full ACL rupture produces a very unstable knee that requires surgical repair (a “knee reconstruction”), and also because a fall that is bad enough...
We are super proud to announce our date in October where we will be discussing PRP and stem cell therapy with the newest technology that bridges sports medicine, orthopedics and arthritis. Please join us on October 24th from 6:00 to 7:30 at Dr. Kelly Cunningham’s office in Westlake. Bring a...
Facts about Torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) facts The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four ligaments in the knee that provides stabilization for the knee joint. Torn ACLs are a common knee injury. An ACL tear or sprain occurs with a sudden change in direction or pivot against a locked...
During the hot months of Texas, athletes often decide to escape the heat and swim more than they normally would. As a result, your body might not handle the overuse of your shoulders, causing your muscles and tendons to become fatigued. Swimmer’s shoulder is often referred to as impingement syndrome because the...
Biologic Subchondral Injection What is it? Can It help the stem cell treatment of my knee? For over five years, Kelly Cunningham MD, of Austin OrthoBiologics has been using mesenchymal stem cell treatment (MSC, from a patient’s own bone marrow) to very successfully treat the pain and disability...
As your mileage picks up throughout the year, you might start to experience a dull pain in your knees. This pain is often diagnosed as Runner’s Knee, known medically as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). Knee injuries are one of the most common orthopedic problems, especially for people performing in high impact sports...
Understanding what types of pain can hinder your active lifestyle! Knee injuries and knee pain are among the most common orthopedic problems that we evaluate. Both high-impact (running triathlons, basketball, tennis, soccer) and lower-impact (golf, cycling, skiing) sports can exact a toll on even the fittest and enthusiastic athlete over...
Tendinopathy: Why the Difference Between Tendinitis and Tendinosis Matters Evelyn Bass, LMT Author information Copyright and License information Disclaimer This article has been cited by other articles in PMC. Think tendinitis and you think pain and burning in the affected area, decreased strength and flexibility, and pain caused by everyday activities. As...
Summertime in Central Texas!!! When it comes to summertime, everyone gets excited and either start exploring hike and bike trails or trying to find the closest source of water! Injuries can happen in a few seconds so here is a list of essentials that you should have in your First-Aid...
Austin's Top Doctors 2019 We would like to thank all of our patients for the honor of being named one of Austin's Top Doctors in Orthopedic and Sports Medicine including PRP and stem cell Therapy! We aim to create the best patient experience at our office and our love for...
As your mileage picks up throughout the year, you might start to experience a dull pain in your knees. This pain is often diagnosed as Runner’s Knee, known medically as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). Knee injuries are one of the most common orthopedic problems, especially for people performing in high impact sports...
Are you not participating in your extracurricular activities anymore due to pain? If you are suffering from joint pain, regenerative stem cell therapy may be the best solution for treatment of degenerative joint disease. Recent scientific advances in the field of orthopaedic biologics (orthobiologic “regenerative stem cell therapy”) have begun to uncover the...
Purpose The purpose of this study was to systematically review the basic science evidence for the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of pathologic processes of cartilage, both as an adjunct to cartilage repair and as a conservative management strategy for osteoarthritis, with the intent of determining the...
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“How can I get in Ski-Shape?” Dr. Cunningham spent 15 years as a traveling doctor for the men’s Olympic downhill team, accompanying the athletes throughout the US, Canada, and Europe on the World Cup tour. He was able to pick up tips from some of the world’s finest altitude athletes...
Bones play many roles in the body — providing structure, protecting organs, anchoring muscles and storing calcium. While it's important to build strong and healthy bones during childhood and adolescence, you can take steps during adulthood to protect bone health, too. Why is bone health important? Your bones are continuously...
Joint pain can turn ordinary activities, like getting into the car or deciding what to wear, into challenges — but they're challenges you can overcome. Living Well With Arthritis Arthritis affects more than one in five adults in the United States, and more women than men. If you have arthritis, joint pain...
PURPOSE To investigate whether the application of a particular platelet-rich plasma preparation rich in growth factors (PRGF) during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery gives a potential advantage for better tendon graft ligamentization. METHODS This study included 37 volunteers who underwent either conventional (control group, n = 15) or PRGF-assisted (n =...
Located in Austin, Texas, Dr. Kelly Cunningham is constantly expanding his knowledge of the latest technology and research. Below is an overview of graft healing after an anterior cruciate ligament. Abstract BACKGROUND: Slow graft healing in bone tunnels and a slow graft ligamentization process after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction...
In honor of today being National Trivia day, we thought that we would provide a few facts on stem cell therapy and their history! Dr. Kelly Cunningham of Austin Ortho + Bio in Austin, Texas has been the leader in regenerative sports medicine and orthopedic medicine. If you have more...
2018 Jingle Bell Run - Austin Sunday, December 16, 2018Camp Mabry We were so honored to be the medical honoree for this year 2018 Jingle Bell Run Austin. It's through everyone's tremendous efforts that we are able to support our mission and exceed our goals! Being part of the longest-running,...
Managing Holiday Stress with Arthritis Holiday stressors can influence people with rheumatoid arthritis in other ways. People may overtax their bodies, and especially their joints, by taking on too much during this busy season. Budget your energy. People love going to holiday parties and seeing family and friends, but many...
Abstract PURPOSE: In this study, we measured functional outcomes of patients treated arthroscopically with microfracture for full-thickness traumatic defects of the knee. TYPE OF STUDY: A case series of patients with 7 to 17 years' follow-up. METHODS: Between 1981 and 1991, a total of 72 patients (75 knees) met the...
Knee injuries and knee 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...
Ortho + Biologics is: A treatment aimed at restoring joint function by harnessing the natural healing processes of the body. Best applied to the patient with a systematic, forward-thinking approach by an orthopedic musculoskeletal specialist, not just as pain management. Though still in the early stages of development, progress in...
In early October, Dr. Cunningham was invited to attend O.A.S.I with Dr. Alberto Gobbi, Milan, Italy, with the goal of gaining up-to-date knowledge and experience in the newest technology with PRP/Stem cell therapy in Europe. This being his third time to observe stem cell techniques in Italy/western Europe, he was able...
Behind the White Coat - Dr. Kelly Cunningham What do you love about living in Central Texas? As a fourth-generation Austinite (via East Texas), I came back to Austin after medical training for the natural beauty and the people. In 27 years of practice, I have never regretted that decision,...
Kelly Cunningham, MD Austin Ortho + Biologics 3003 Bee Cave Road, Suite 200 Austin, TX 78746 October 2018 Dear Friends, I am very honored to have been selected as the Arthritis Foundation’s Medical Honoree for their upcoming Jingle Bell Run. Today I’m asking you to support the Arthritis Foundation, a...
Innovations in Sports Medicine & Joint Care Learn how PRP and Stem Cell Therapy helps joint pain at our Event on October 10th & 17th!! We are excited to announce that we will be hosting two evenings to discuss PRP and Stem Cell Therapy. You will learn how this technology is changing...
How can Stem Cell Therapy Help my Joints?Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that may impact multiple joints with varying degrees of severity. It impacts over 25 million people with nearly $90 billion spent annually for treatment in the United States.With the new advances of modern medicine, stem cell therapy has brought...
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Fundamentals The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that covers the humeral head and controls arm rotation and elevation. These muscles and their tendons work together with the deltoid muscle to provide motion and strength to the shoulder for all waist-level and shoulder-level or above...
The anterior cruciate ligament, more commonly known as the ACL, is a large ligament that connects the upper leg (femur) to the lower leg (tibia). The ACL helps to provide stability with motions such as cutting, pivoting, and changing direction. Fast Facts Females are 4 to 8 times more likely...
Dr. Kelly Cunningham and Austin OrthoBiologics is excited to announce a surgical study in the treatment of articular cartilage injuries of the knee with stem cell grafting, the first such single stage procedure offered in the US. The surgery has been offered successfully for over a decade in Europe, now in...
10 Epic Summer Travel AdventuresGet inspired to tackle Texas' many cool outdoor adventures Hanging 10 at NLand Surf Park. (Photo by Kenny Braun) Hang 10 at NLand Surf Park, AustinSee www.nlandsurfpark.com.Nothing has made waves in Austin lately quite like the opening of the NLand Surf Park. It’s just so unlikely—how is it that...
Dr. Kelly Cunningham, founder of Austin Ortho Biologics, recently attended TOBI- The Ortho Biologic Institute; an international three-day symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Renowned researchers and clinicians presented evolving studies and treatment for Cartilage, bone and joint diseases, emphasizing stem cell and platelet plasma protocols.The future is bright for regenerative...
Intra-articular Injection of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A 2-Year...
Concentrated Bone Marrow Aspirate for the Treatment of Chondral Injuries and Osteoarthritis of the...
As an orthopedic surgeon with a special interest in arthritic joint conditions and how to help my patients with or without surgery, advancing the cause of stem cell and platelets plasma therapy is a passion. Austin OrthoBiologics was founded with one thought in mind; new & innovative treatment modalities offered...
As of March 1, 2018, Dr. Kelly Cunningham has beenapproved as a Top Doctor by the TX Top Doc SelectionCommittee. Based on his education, training, accolades, awards and patient reviews, multiple members agreed on the approval of his acceptance into the highly specialized group of well-respected physicians. About Dr. Cunningham:...