Dr. Brian Cole seeks patients for new study of knee pain treatment

Dr. Brian Cole, orthopaedic surgeon, Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR), and team physician for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox, is seeking Chicago area patients with osteoarthritis of the knee for a new clinical study to test the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy in relieving osteoarthritis symptoms. PRP is a low-cost, minimally invasive technique that, in preliminary clinical
trials, has shown to improve function and lessen knee
pain.           

The study is designed to compare the use of a specific PRP called autologous conditioned plasma with the current standard of care, hyaluronic acid.  Autologous conditioned plasma therapy focuses on using the body’s own healing response to treat injury to tendons, ligaments and muscles.  Dr. Cole is at the forefront of research by applying this technique to the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.            

PRP therapy is a process that involves taking a small blood sample from the patient and spinning it in a centrifuge, a device that separates the platelet-rich plasma from the other components in the blood. The concentrated platelets are then extracted from the sample and re-injected directly into the patient’s arthritic knee, providing up to six months of osteoarthritis pain relief.          

To ensure the validity of the trial’s results, Dr. Cole will conduct a double blind randomized procedure in which qualifying patients will receive either PRP or hyaluronic acid therapy.  In order to qualify for participation in the study, patients must be between ages 18 and 80 and have osteoarthritis of the knee.  The treatment involves three injections of either PRP or hyaluronic acid and patients will be required to come in six times over a six month period.          

Dr. Cole is a professor in the Department of Orthopaedics with a conjoint appointment in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Rush University Medical Center.  He is also section head of the Cartilage Research Program at Rush University Medical Center and heads the Cartilage Restoration Center.  He serves as team physician for the Chicago Bulls and co-team physician for the Chicago White Sox.

Dr. Cole was chosen as one of the "Best Doctors in America" each year since 2004 and as a "Top Doctor" in the Chicago Metro area each year since 2003. In 2006, he was featured as "Chicago's Top Doctor" and placed on the cover of Chicago Magazine.        

In order to get involved in the study, patients may contact: Kristen Hussey at (312) 432-2380 or RushPRP@gmail.com.

For more information, please
visit: http://www.cartilagedoc.org/home.cfm

About Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush           

Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush offers comprehensive, unparalleled, orthopedic services.  The physicians at MOR treat thousands of orthopedic patients each year with problems ranging from the most common to the most complex.  MOR’s reputation as a leader in specialized orthopedic patient care, education and research has been recognized as the No. 11 program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of the top orthopaedic programs in the state. Midwest Orthopedics at Rush physicians also serve as team physicians for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox.  MOR’s Chicago office is at  1611 West Harrison St., next to the updated, state-of-the-art Rush University Medical Center.  MOR physicians also are treating patients at Prairie Medical Center, Westchester; Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield and Rush Oak Park Hospital. For more information, log on to www.rushortho.com.