News

 Ronald Shapiro MD, PhD, FACP

Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Toledo

Toxic Joint Syndrome (TJS) was defined and characterized in the first segment of this series. Certainly there are benefits to current therapeutic options; however, there are also significant  disadvantages that include  treatment associated  morbidity and mortality, reduced quality of life, impaired performance, income loss from escalating debility, and significant monetary burdens from  medication and procedures.

For example, consider the direct expense incurred during the  course of a single osteoarthritic toxic knee joint syndrome.  Costs might  begin  with diagnostics and medication and extend to joint replacement.  The lifetime  expense  of this single toxic joint could  range from $30,000 to $50,000, and over the years the pill consumption could be over 15,000.

            An innovative treatment option to address the complaints, debility, associated treatment limitations, and cost of a toxic joint resides in new technology.  In 2005, a safe, effective, FDA cleared modality to relieve knee pain and improve mobility was reported employing a third generation device called the MedLite^®.The technology was validated in a statistically significant  blinded, three period, complete crossover study.

            Recently, a new option for patients and physicians has emerged with the introduction of a new biomedical computer for joint pain.  Programmed with the proprietary “pain  Sensorpeutic™ algorithm”,  it is a sophisticated   medical/consumer technotherapy device designed for  Toxic Joint Syndrome.  This   unique device has undergone rigorous research and development by a team which includes pain management physicians.  It offers a new supplemental or standalone  tool for   safe and effective treatment of Toxic Joint Syndrome. 

             The NINS^® (non-invasive neurovascular stimulation) operating system is resident in this biomedical computer which employs multiple dynamic energies (Photonic and Thermal Kinetic).  Sensing technology located in the treatment head measures and collects bio-physiologic data at the skin surface and deeper structures which is fed back to the operating system. The multiple energies and feedback information are integrated through specialized hardware and software through use of a proprietary algorithm  that  “learns” from the collected sensory responses. These collected responses are submitted to the algorithm which  manipulates multiple treatment parameters thousands of times a second.  “Customized” therapy is generated which is unique to the user’s: i) condition, and ii) sensory response. This sophisticated biomedical computer for the treatment of Toxic Joint Syndrome carries the  brand name  of WilloMD.™ 

 The  “Sensorpeutic” algorithm that delivers the customized  energy is known as Veriscription™ (like an electronic prescription). In addition to the high treatment success of this technology , is the observation that the phenomenon of adaptation or tachyphylaxis (a decreasing response of the body to repeated stimuli such as medication or therapy) is overcome. This means that the device can be effectively used as often and for as long as the users wish, and they can expect continued and cumulative benefits.

A statically significant   controlled, randomized, double blinded, IRB approved medical study, conducted by a hospital based independent medical team provided conclusive validation of the technology.  The study has confirmed that the WilloMD™ produced measurable, statistically significant benefit for those with Toxic Knee Joint Syndrome. Benefits confirmed were  knee pain relief, greater flexion, and enhanced performance and functional abilities, with no adverse side effects. 

 Thousands of successful clinical patient treatment outcomes also contribute to the validation of the WilloMD’s efficacy and safety.  Over ninety percent of the time, WilloMD users obtain significant, predictive, reproducible and cumulative effects that afford them reduced pain, improved mobility, enhanced performance and an improved quality of life.

In the simplest terms, this innovative system works by increasing circulation, slowing nerve signals, reducing nerve sensitivity, promoting cleansing of joints congested with  inflammatory and intra-articular waste debris, elevating the body’s natural pain fighters, blocking pain receptors and creating “nerve confusion.”

Before and after each treatment with the device, users are encouraged to record subjective and objective parameters regarding their pain and functional abilities. This provides tangible evidence of the treatment effect

With the advent of this emerging technology, individuals, physicians, and allied health providers  have an effective, safe, and affordable  additional therapeutic tool to treat a Toxic Joint Syndrome.  Advantages of WilloMD therapy include:

·        Portability, easy cleaning for safe multi-individual use.

·        Significant pain reduction and improved performance permitting individuals to engage in fitness development, thereby  lowering their risk of premature cardiac and non-cardiac mortality.

·        Reduction in pain medication which  diminishes medication related morbidity and mortality.

·        Offering substitute therapy for those who are unable to use, or prefer not to take  medication.

·        Treatment prior to and in combination with physical therapy to reduce pain, increase mobility, and enhance rehab performance.

·        Treatment prior to and in combination with surgery  to reduce pain, promote healing, improve mobility and enhance  rehab performance.

·        Managing Toxic Joint Syndromes in patients temporarily or permanently ineligible for surgery.

·        Providing adequate symptomatic relief  to allow  postponement of joint replacement should this be desired or required.

·        Treatment in the office or clinic settings can provide therapy and improve patient satisfaction, especially during delays while waiting to see a health care provider.

·        Reduce the monetary burden incurred in short and long term management of a toxic joint syndrome.

The foregoing details  situations where the WilloMD can supplement traditional therapies, provide a treatment alternative when traditional therapies may be unavailable or contraindicated, and may offer an effective standalone approach.  The cost/benefit ratio  of this approach  contrasted with traditional therapies is considerably lower.

A growing number of  individuals are seeking new solutions to manage their TJS.  News programs, lay and professional publications and medication advertising  campaigns have increased awareness of adverse medication effects.  Health care professionals are observing a growing portion of the population who prefer to diminish or stop their pill intake. Consumers and providers  are seeking alternatives to  supplement or substitute  traditional treatment  in an attempt to  relieve symptoms and regain performance.

Now patients and doctors have an additional safe and effective therapeutic option to treat Toxic Joint Syndrome,  as well as other body areas that fit under the treatment arc of the device.  In view of the  new information reported from Stanford Medical School, it is exciting that  use of this Sensorpeutic technology could potentially be very valuable in addressing early treatment of osteoarthritis. If indeed we can safely and effectively dampen  inflammatory joint destruction early on in the disease, imagine the implications:  less joint destruction, reduced debility from toxic joints, reduced cost of toxic joint care, fewer adverse events from medications, and an  improved quality of life for millions are but a few advantages.

  The advanced Sensorpeutic  technology, effectiveness, safety, and cost  of  the WilloMD offers a practical therapeutic option. Very quickly, an individual or health care professional  can determine if this technology will be beneficial.  Applications are designed for use by the young, the elderly,  the debilitated, the  performance athlete, and it can be  used  in animals. The WilloMD  is truly “global game changing” technology.

 Additional information can be obtained at: www.toxicjoint.com

Acknowledgement:

The author wishes to extend  appreciation to Physician Technology’s CEO  David B. Sutton for  his strong support and contribution of innovative information, documents, and data.