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Soccer Referee Avoids Knee Replacement Surgery

They’re the guys that are sometimes invisible and sometimes the point of sporting ire. The referee is a critical part of sports and arguably some of the most athletic have to be soccer refs, as they can run miles in each game chasing the ball and plays around the field. This morning I’d like to highlight an elite ref from Florida for whom having a knee replacement meant giving it all up. In fact, that’s the common thread through many of our success stories. People who love their active life not wanting to yield to the big surgeries and eventually decline into the couch.

Knee Arthritis Threatens to Take Ref Out of the Game

More than two decades of officiating international soccer games as well as national-level youth soccer had taken its toll on Demetrios’ knee. He’d had four meniscus surgeries and now a diagnosis of advanced arthritis in his left knee. Arthritis on the inside part of Demetrios’ left knee had left him with virtually no cartilage there, and there was no cartilage left underneath his kneecap. After his fourth meniscus surgery, his surgeon recommended a knee replacement.

Meniscus “repair,” as I’ve shared many times, isn’t really a repair but is actually a surgery that cuts out, or excises, the torn portions of the knee meniscus. Besides the fact that studies have shown that meniscus repair doesn’t really work, studies have also shown that meniscus surgery can also advance knee arthritis or lead to an early onset of knee arthritis. Advanced knee arthritis typically leads to recommendations from orthopedic surgeons for knee replacement, and a knee replacement comes with many risks and complications in addition to the fact that it is often unnecessary. Clearly, knee replacement would be detrimental to an active soccer referee’s lifestyle.

Knee Replacement Wasn’t an Option for This Ref

When Demetrios faced the recommendation of a knee replacement for his advanced knee arthritis, he knew what that meant. He would have to leave over two decades of refereeing soccer behind him, the game he loves so much, and stop his highly active running lifestyle. In his words, “A knee replacement was not an option for me because had I gone through with the knee replacement, everything I do as a referee, as well as running, would be the end of that.” The decision to look for alternatives was an easy one for this ref.

Regeness for Knee Arthritis: Demetrios Finds Dr. Leiber

Demetrios found Regenexx network provider Dr. Leiber who determined Demetrios to be a good candidate for a stem cell treatment and PRP injections. After his treatment in 2014, Dr. Leiber put Demetrios on a rehabilitation protocol with physical therapy, and within a short period of time, he was back to refereeing soccer and running. Now, nearly three years after this soccer ref’s knee arthritis stem cell treatment, he’s still calling the game. Watch the video of Demetrios’ experience in his own words above; here is an excerpt showing just how active this ref’s lifestyle is:

“ I can still do all the soccer tournaments that translate to anywhere between 24 to 32/34 miles for a weekend as well as during the regular season, which is around 12 to 15 miles on a given Saturday or Sunday.”

The upshot? We love helping active people stay active. Each has their own story about what gets them excited and brings meaning to their life. While we can’t help every patient like Demetrios, our registry data shows that we do help most of them. So here’s to many, many more games, running around the field and making those close calls!

Learn More About Regenexx For Meniscus Tears

Note: The testimonials appearing on this website reflect the real-life experiences of Regenexx patients but are not necessarily typical of what you or any other patient might experience. Individual results of the Regenexx procedures will vary depending on a number of factors, including your diagnosis, the severity of your condition, your overall health, and others. To better understand what large numbers of patients experience on average, please visit our Patient Results page, and inquire with your Regenexx physician.

Patients often characterize Regenexx’s non-surgical treatment options as “stem cell” or “regenerative medicine” procedures. For more information about these terms and how Regenexx defines them, please click here.

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