News Release:

South Florida Tennis Pro Back on the Court After Receiving Regenerative Injection Therapy for Tennis Elbow

Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cells from Belly Fat are Healing Many Orthopaedic Conditions

PLANTATION, FL– Tennis is Tom Mendenhall’s life and livelihood. The 56-year-old from Fort Lauderdale has been a tennis player and instructor for his entire adult life. He currently works with select players at the Fort Lauderdale Tennis Club as a professional instructor and trainer.

Mendenhall’s career was threatened in January 2009 when he developed a moderate medial tendon tear inside his elbow. A medial tear usually occurs on the outside of the elbow, but his occurred inside his elbow. He went to see an orthopedic surgeon who told him he would need surgery to repair and reattach the tendon.

“The surgeon told me that I would be out of commission and off the courts for close to one year,” said Mendenhall. “I would be immobilized and then would need intensive post-surgery rehabilitation. The thought of being off the courts for that long was depressing.”

Mendenhall began exploring his options. He heard about platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections for football injuries and researched the treatment on the Internet. He found Alan M. Lazar, MD, FACS, a board certified orthopedic surgeon based in South Florida. Dr. Lazar is one of few physicians using an alternative in-office treatment known as Regenerative Injection Therapy that uses PRP injections. PRP is derived from removing a small amount of the patient’s own blood, which is placed in a machine that operates at a very fast speed to separate the blood into components.

Dr. Lazar ordered an MRI for Mendenhall, examined him, and told him that he was a candidate for Regenerative Injection Therapy. Mendenhall had one injection in his elbow, and within four weeks, he was back to playing matches and teaching tennis.

In January 2010, Mendenhall felt another pop in an area close to where he had the previous injury. Dr. Lazar was not sure if it was the same tear or another area within the same region, so this time he used Regenerative Injection Therapy with PRP and stems cells for optimum healing. While other doctors in South Florida use PRP, Dr. Lazar is one of very few in the nation using it in conjunction with stem cells from belly fat.

The stem cells are extracted during a mini-liposuction procedure in Dr. Lazar's office. They are then combined with the platelets, which are tiny cells that are critical to healing. When the stem cells are injected into the injured area or arthritic joint, they release substances known as growth factors that lead to improved natural tissue healing and help the process of regeneration and remodeling of the area. Combined with stem cells, there is better circulation to the affected area, which enhances a natural healing process. This procedure is not only used for knee injuries but can be used in many areas of the body, including shoulders, torn tendons, ligaments, hips, ankles, wrists, hands and many arthritic and degenerative conditions.

Within four weeks of the second treatment, Mendenhall was back to playing again.

“I am thrilled with the results,” he said.

For more information, visit www.dralanlazar.com or call (954) 476-9494.