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Knee Surgeon and Specialist Stefan D. Tarlow, M.D.

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The Knee MD of Phoenix

May 29, 2022 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

knee md of phoenix

Did you have a sports injury and tore your ACL? Maybe you have end-stage osteoarthritis with limited mobility or stiffness? Dr. Tarlow is an expert in surgical reconstruction and wants to help you. Whether it’s a nagging pain from an old sports injury that never felt quite right or acute recent trauma, once you hit a threshold of knee pain that interferes with your ability to engage in everyday activities, it’s time to seek medical attention.

Dr. Tarlow is an early adopter of robotic outpatient joint replacement. This enables some people to be treated with a partial knee replacement rather than full knee replacement.

Who Needs A Knee MD?

Choosing a knee specialist is essential for your rehabilitation and recovery from fresh knee injuries. The nature and severity of your injury will determine the treatment plan, which could fall on a spectrum of care from physical therapy and bracing to a total knee replacement. If you’ve recently stabilized a significant knee injury, meeting with a knee MD orthopedist specializing in knee care should be at the top of your to-do list.

Sometimes, patients who suffer from knee pain wonder if they should see a rheumatologist or an orthopedic knee surgeon for treatment. Although both specialists focus on muscles, bones, and joints, orthopedic knee surgeons specialize in surgical treatments and manage care for fractures to heal. In contrast, rheumatologists focus on joint disorders treated with lifestyle modifications and medication. Meeting with your primary care physician and discussing your current symptoms and the duration of your knee pain will help your primary care doctor advise you on the best specialist for your treatment plan.

Why A Knee MD?

Some orthopedists are generalists; they treat patients who have problems with their bones or joints regardless of where on the body the pain originates. Other orthopedists are specialists and focus on only one area of anatomy. For example, you might have an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee replacements, shoulder surgery, or hip care.

Whether you seek care from a general orthopedist or a specialist, all orthopedic surgeons undergo a rigorous academic course load and hands-on training. It takes four years to complete their undergraduate degree, successful performance on the MCAT, and four years of medical school. Next, doctors who become orthopedists ALSO complete five years of study at a major medical institution for their orthopedic residency, followed by a one-year specialized education in a fellowship program.

After fourteen years of academic study and live-patient training, a doctor may choose to specialize in one area of the body. That means they will become highly practiced in diagnosing and treating injuries sustained in that area of focus. For example, suppose you have knee pain and know it’s time to see a specialist. It makes sense to actively seek out a knee MD who is an expert on knee health and treatment options to diagnose and care for your knee correctly AND has “put in the reps” to be an expert in treatment options.

What Does An Orthopedic Knee Surgeon Do?

Contrary to what the title suggests, orthopedic knee surgeons do not just perform knee surgery. They are highly trained professionals able to diagnose and treat various bone conditions. If you have a musculoskeletal condition, know that surgery is only considered when more conservative treatment options have been attempted without success.

An orthopedic knee surgeon will meet with patients to diagnose musculoskeletal problems and create individualized care plans on any given day. Some days will call for monitoring rehabilitation of current patients, and some days an orthopedic knee surgeon may find that they have a full docket performing surgeries. It’s important to remember that even though “surgeon” might be in their title, performing surgery is not the only sort of patient care these specialists do during their workday.

Why Dr. Tarlow is known as the Knee MD of Phoenix

Knee surgery by Dr. Tarlow the Knee MD of Phoenix

Patient-centered care and surgical excellence are Dr. Tarlow’s Phoenix Practice hallmarks. Known as the knee MD of Phoenix, Dr. Tarlow has almost 35 years of orthopedic history, all focused on the knee. In addition to a deep understanding of treatment options, Dr. Tarlow is Arizona’s most practiced and well-versed MAKOplasty® surgeon, with over 1100 cases as of March 2021.

Dr. Tarlow is a pioneer of Outpatient Joint Replacement. His innovative work five years ago made this surgery an outpatient procedure for total and partial knee replacement with MAKOplasty®. No hospital stay means you are sleeping in your own bed with pain medication on-demand at your bedside. This fast-track back to your home keeps people in their regular routines with a faster return to everyday life and work.

Mako Rio Full System robot equipment

Mako is changing how joint replacement surgeries are performed by providing each patient with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and anatomy. Dr. Tarlow then guides the robotic arm to execute that plan. Dr. Tarlow, the knee MD of Phoenix, is an enthusiastic early adopter of this transformative technology.

The knee MD of Phoenix is one of the nation’s most experienced and sought-after knee specialists. Serving patients from all walks of life, Dr. Tarlow has helped world-record-holding athletes compete after complete knee replacement surgery, and D1 collegiate athletes set records after successful knee surgery. In addition, he’s helped former athletes access an active lifestyle after old injuries kept them from enjoying life and weekend warriors that need help getting back to the activities they love.

The knee MD of Phoenix, Dr. Tarlow, believes that the blueprint for providing exceptional patient care with outstanding outcomes is personal treatment with direct access to your physician.

It’s a promise that you will enjoy access to a distinguished surgeon bringing first-rate surgical care in a one-on-one setting when you seek care from the knee MD of Phoenix.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

TSA- Checkpoint and Knee Replacement

August 2, 2019 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

This video guides you through to airport check point process.

Open this link to print an optional TSA notification card to carry with you at the airport checkpoint.

Filed Under: Uncategorized, airport metal detector, knee replacement, partial knee replacement, Total Knee Replacement, unicompartmental knee replacement

Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment Ranked for Pain and Function

September 7, 2018 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

Non surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee is most successful for mild to moderate disease.  Usually the pain and function from severe knee OA requires partial or total knee replacement surgery.

Patients need to know how likely a particular treatment is.  This study ranked the effectiveness of oral pill treatment and intra articular injections categorized based on pain symptom relief and knee function improvement.

The 3 most effective treatments for knee OA pain are Intra Articular steroid injection, oral ibuprofen and knee injection with Platelet Rich Plasma.

The 3 most effective treatments for knee OA functional limitations (limp, diminished walking ability) are non steroidal anti inflammatory medications – Naproxen, Diclofenac and Celecoxib.

The 3 most effective treatments for both knee pain and  knee OA functional limitations are oral Naproxen pills, Intra Articular steroid injection and knee injection with Platelet Rich Plasma.

Of note, hyaluronic acid (also known as viscosupplementation) injections is at best in the lower half of the effectiveness scale.  Similarly, Tylenol (acetaminophen) is not therapeutic.

This study can be found in the JAAOS, May, 2018.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized, knee osteoarthritis, knee pain

Vitamin D, Knee Surgery and Sports

August 26, 2018 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

Vitamin D has hypothetical and proven benefits for orthopedic surgery patients and athletes.

I advise my joint replacement patients to begin 800 IU of VitaminD3 one week prior to continuing for 3 weeks total due to theoretical benefits for reduced infection risk.

Vitamin D has been shown to increase muscle strength, reduced injury rates and improve sports performance.

Vitamin D is also known to be importance for  bone metabolism.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Joint Replacement Surgery, sports medicine

Mortality Following TKA is Declining

July 13, 2018 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

Research on outcomes for joint replacement surgery has led to targeted patient selection for Total Knee Replacement surgery.  Risk factors for poor outcomes include obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking and cardiovascular disease.  Great emphasis has been placed on modifying risk factors PRIOR to knee replacement surgery. Many patients are willing undergo an intervention which lowers their chance for an adverse outcome.  It appears that this approach is benefitting our patients.

There is an ongoing worldwide temporal decline in mortality following total knee arthroplasty. Improved patient selection and perioperative care and a healthy-population effect may account for this observation. Efforts to further reduce mortality  following total knee arthroplasty should continue.  Patients that are unable to be “optimized” should be offered alternative, non surgical treatments.

An article published in JBJS June, 2018 explored this topic.

Mortality data from 15 different countries following over 1.75 million total knee replacements formed the basis of this review. 30 and 90-day mortality were 0.20% and 0.39%. Both estimates have fallen over the 10-year study period.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Weight Loss Slowed Rate of Knee Degeneration

June 29, 2018 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

A 4 year study using MRI to look at knees showed the rate of knee degeneration/wear.  The more weight loss, the slower the rate of knee destruction.  Another study showed that combining weight loss with exercise with dietary modification improved exercise tolerance (walking) and improved weight loss.  Finally, the proportion of obese patients with artificial knees requiring repeat replacement surgery  has increased dramatically over the last 10 years.  Obese is a modifiable risk factor for failure of Total Knee Replacement  that should be addressed prior to knee replacement surgery.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Unicondylar (Partial) Knee Replacement Comparable to Total Knee Replacement

June 15, 2018 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

In properly selected patients with isolated, single compartment arthritis of the knee success at 2 years post op is similar.  Young age, BMI > 30, and low surgeon volume are associated with decreased implant survivorship and higher failure rate.

Makoplasty Robotic Partial knee replacement is an great alternative to full knee replacement.  Read this link and learn more.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Running Does Not Lead to Knee Arthritis

June 1, 2018 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

A 2018 report in the JBJS found a lower incidence of knee and hip damage (osteoarthritis) in active marathon runners.  675 Marathoners were questioned.   These runners on average had run for 19 years logging an average of 36 miles per week.  Arthritis prevalence was only 9 % for runners vs. 18 % for the US population.  Seven of the marathoners were able to keep running after hip or knee replacement surgery.  So the question is why ?  Is it lower BMI, better muscle mass, better bone density, or is impact loading exercise actually protective to our weight bearing joints.  At this time, the answer is not known.  What is known is that running is good for knees and hips.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Robotic Knee Replacement Trends

May 11, 2018 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

A recent analysis of Utilization Trends show Robotic /Computer assisted Knee Replacement surgery is increasing in the US.  Approximately 12 % of Knee replacement cases in 2015 up from 4 % in 2008.   29 % of Facilities (hospitals, ASC) and 17 % of Orthopedics Surgeons use robots/computers for hip or knee replacement surgery.  This is the most recent data available and is from 2015.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Leading the way in Therapeutic Autologous Biologics

April 22, 2018 By Stefan D. Tarlow MD

Advanced Cellular Biologics with Therapeutic Strength Compositions

PurePRP  II is an autologous cellular biologic that has become standard of care for many treatment modalities. In today’s world of regenerative medicine, clinicians are requiring products that are not only clinically effective but, also have the versatility to provide for specific treatment requirements. This may include therapeutic strength PRP with low neutrophils and no red blood cells. Or it may include therapeutic strength PRP with high neutrophils and nominal red blood cells. Some physicians may require a bioregenerative fibrinogen matrix scaffold to support PRP retention and sustain growth factor release. Others may require protein compositions to help mitigate cellular degradation. Whatever the need, PurePRP® II has the biologic versatility to be an integral part of the treatment modality.

The Cellular Physiology of PurePRP® II

Deliverable Platelets in PurePRP® II

Deliverable platelets are the actual volume of viable platelets contained in a PRP sample. PurePRP® II provide upwards of 9.5 billion platelets in a 7mL treatment sample (approximately 1.4 million platelets per microliter). High volumes of deliverable platelets enhances the volumetric activity of platelet growth factors and cytokines in active tissue repair. Platelet alpha granules contain various platelet growth factors that promote tissue repair through cell proliferation, chemotaxis, differentiation, and angiogenesis. Platelet cytokines provide the chemical stimulus needed to mediate cell signaling and migration. The amount of deliverable platelets are clinically significant if you are to attain active tissue repair. It is imperative that your deliverable platelet count be more than 1 million platelets per microliter.

Neutrophils in PurePRP® II

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocyte and one of the first-responders to migrate towards a site of injury or infection (chemotaxis). Neutrophils are also the hallmark of acute inflammation. This is an aggressive response of chemical signals from cytokines such as interleukins (IL-1, IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) along with many others. The primary function of the neutrophil is to engulf and destroy foreign material through phagocytosis. Under normal circumstances, neutrophils are short lived (1-2 days) and are cleared by tissue macrophages. In conditions where the neutrophils cannot be cleared, for a lack of macrophages, they undergo a process called necrosis resulting in the release of all of the intracellular contents. This causes the amplification and prolonging of the inflammatory response. This prolonged amplified inflammatory response potential, is a concern of many physicians. This is why physicians are not encouraged by a PRP product containing high concentrations of neutrophils.

Monocytes in PurePRP® II

Monocytes are the largest of all leukocytes and are characteristically non-inflammatory phagocytic cells. Monocytes migrate to sites of injury and infection and differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells to elicit an immune response which last for longer periods of time (months rather than days when compared to neutrophils). Monocytes illicit the immune response through phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and cytokine production each of which has a specific and deliberate function in enhancing the immune response through both protective prophylaxis and active phagocytosis.
PurePRP® II is unique in that it greatly enhances monocyte concentrations, while giving the end user control over the amount of neutrophils they would like to add to their PRP preparation. PurePRP® II takes advantage of the long term phagocytic and protective properties of the monocytes while avoiding the potential harmful inflammation incurred by large concentrations of neutrophils that go through cellular necrosis. This is another differentiating factor that help to explain the natural success of PurePRP® II in patient outcomes.

PurePRP® II

One System Two Protocols

Protocol A

Protocol A processes PurePRP® without red blood cells or neutrophil granulocytes. This protocol is used when powerful healing without inflammatory activity is required at the application site. This protocol is also the low viscosity solution to a viable PRP product, providing very high concentrations of platelets in a bath of non-viscous plasma. This protocol has also been reported to reduce the potential for pain at the application site. It is the most frequently used protocol.

Protocol B

Protocol B processes PurePRP® with low red blood cell counts and very high cytokine activity and neutrophil cell recoveries. This protocol is used when the phagocytic powers of neutrophils are needed to help fight infectious processes at the application site. This protocol produces the highest chemoattractant activity and significantly increases regeneration potential. Once the neutrophils have completed phagocytosis, they become apoptic cells and are subsequently removed, thereby also eliminating the inflammatory activity.

The AbsolutePRP™
Concentrating System

The AbsolutePRP™ Concentrating System has been re branded from the former 544e. AbsolutePRP™ provides the complete PRP composition. Therapeutically high concentrations of platelets and growth factors along with very high concentrations of neutrophils, monocytes and other cell mediating cytokines. AbsolutePRP™ is the fastest and most efficient single spin 60mL concentrating systems available. Prepare 7mL of PRP, with high concentrations of regenerative cells, in a SINGLE 5 MINUTE SPIN. These systems were designed to accommodate physicians that run a busy practice and mandate superior performance outcomes that is consistent and reliable.

The AbsoluteBMC™
Concentrating System

The AbsoluteBMC™ Concentrating System has been re branded from the former 544e. AbsoluteBMC™ provides significant concentrations of CFU-F, CD34+, and total nucleated cell counts. CD34+ are cell markers for hematopoietic stem cells. These are the primary multipotent cells that replenishes all blood cell types. These cells are crucial for the regenerative processes needed for active tissue repair. In addition to these cells are CFU-F, which are representative of mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including cartilage, bone and adipose cells. AbsoluteBMC™ provides therapeutic concentrations of these cell types which is the key to desirable patient outcomes. AbsoluteBMC™ is the fastest and most efficient single spin 60mL concentrating systems available. Prepare 7mL of BMC, in a SINGLE 5 MINUTE SPIN.

QuickDRAW Delivery System with Malleable or Dual Spray

The QuickDRAW Delivery System is a state of the art delivery system that contain proprietary valve ports that permit simultaneous filling and delivery of the PRP plus activator. The system comes with a malleable spray tip or a dual spray tip. The dual spray tip permits activation at the delivery site and not in the device. This allows the delivery system to be used leisurely without clotting at the tip.

BioSynthetic Bone

FDA cleared sterile resorbable granule bone graft composed of purified fibrillar type I collagen, 60% hydroxyapatite and 40% tricalcium phosphate . The device is safe and has excellent biocompatibility. After implantation, the graft resorbs and is later replaced by natural bone.  Comes in 5cc strip or 10cc strip

Tabletop Device Holder

The Tabletop Device Holder accommodates four 60mL concentrating devices. The Device Holder permits hands free operation and help to maintain stability while operating the concentrating device.

PurePRP® II Plasma
Concentrating System

The EmCyte Plasma Concentrator contains a 7mL concentrating chamber with microfiber filaments that quickly and accurately concentrates the plasma proteins. This system effectively concentrates ALL plasma proteins, including albumin, α2-macroglobulin, fibrinogen, regulatory proteins and clotting factors. Approximately 60mL of plasma can be concentrated down to 13mL in less than five minutes without centrifugation.

PureBMC® is Better Than Ever

PureBMC® is better than ever and remains the flawless solution to Bone Marrow Cell Concentrate. PureBMC® processes BMC in a system that remains closed and sterile throughout all steps of processing. This is especially important when processing in a surgical suite. It is also proven to concentrate viable platelets, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), total nucleated cells (TNC) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a bath of plasma with a low hematocrit. PureBMC® can be prepared with or without Heparin, either way it provides viable platelet concentrates that further add to the strength of the cell composition. PureBMC® delivers the excellence and reliability physicians can depend on.

Higher HSC Concentrations

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the blood cells that has the ability to replenish all blood cell types (Multipotency) and the ability to self-renew. This include monocytes, macrophages, erythrocytes, megakaryocytes, platelets, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells and lymphoid lineage cells.

Higher MSC Concentrations

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. These cell types primarily include cartilage, bone and adipose cells. Mesenchymal stem cells are found in very small quantities in bone marrow aspirate, making the concentrating capabilities of PureBMC® more vital to the physician.

Higher TNC Concentrations

Total nucleated cell count by any method is a count of cells with nuclei. In order to properly represent the TNC cell count a correction calculation that removes nucleated red blood cells (nRBCs) is performed. It is understood, as in other therapies, that more cells better outcomes. GenesisCS

Pure BMC

PureBMC® has been designed to improve performance outcomes. The design details allows the end user to more accurately collect high therapeutic cell concentrates with low red blood cell content.
Same Great Outcomes Hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+), total nucleated cell (TNC), mesenchymal stem cell (CFU-F) and platelet isolation is perfected in the PureBMC® system. PureBMC® retains high concentrations of these cell types with the lowest concentrations of red blood cells in a bone marrow concentrate product. Using a specialized cell isolation technique, PureBMC® provide more than 9X cell concentration in 7mL of PureBMC® . Preparation times are less than 10 minutes at the point of care. With careful attention to the details of gradient cell isolation, PureBMC® is a viable choice for a low hematocrit and high yielding bone marrow cell concentrate product.

Selectable Volumes & Concentrations

PureBMC® provide selectable sample volumes ranging from 3mL to 14mL. No matter what the sample size, PureBMC® provide therapeutic cell counts that exceed industry standards.

Ongoing Performance Analysis Report Campaign

See the Ongoing Performance Analysis Report Campaign, for PureBMC® at https://www.emcyte.com for the “always current” and up-to-date analysis of the performance of the PureBMC® system. This system was developed to provide objectivity and transparency in the clinical performance of the EmCyte systems. To be a participant in sample submission, call 239-481-7725 or visit the website for more information.

The data provided in the Ongoing Performance Analysis Report Campaign is independently reviewed at a reputable laboratory.

Download PDF file

Filed Under: stem cells, Uncategorized

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  • ABOUT
    ▼
    • About Dr. Tarlow
    • About the Practice
    • Health Plans
    • Medicare & Self-Pay
  • SURGICAL TREATMENTS
    ▼
    • Robotic Mako Total Knee Replacement
    • Makoplasty Robotic Partial Knee Surgery
    • Robotic Cementless (Press Fit) Total Knee Replacement
    • ACL Reconstruction
    • Knee Arthroscopy
    • In-Office Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Knee Injection
    • Knee Cartilage Repair Restoration Surgery
    • Subchondroplasty
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    • Hyalofast Cartilage Restoration Surgery
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