Amateur baseball player gets new life in knee thanks to Dr. Z
Hector Toledo was considering knee replacement surgery before learning about the Non-Surgical Center of Texas. After weeks of physical therapy and a round of Regenerative Injection Treatments, Hector recovered enough to play in eight games over the course of a week in a Florida amateur baseball tournament.
A lifetime of playing competitive baseball was catching up to Hector Toledo. The Venezuelan native had been playing since the age of 6, and also spent much of his youth competing in high-performance water-skiing tournaments, soccer and karate. “Everything that was bad for the knee, I did,” Toledo said with a laugh.
Now over the age of 50, the stress of completing a nine-game baseball tournament in a week was playing havoc on his knees, particularly since Toledo largely plays the joint-stressing position of catcher. He already had two surgeries on his arthritic right knee, including one that removed his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) following an injury that included a complete tear of the ACL and a torn meniscus. The bones in his right knee create friction that results in serious swelling, particularly after playing competitive baseball.
“The swelling was making it really hard for me to compete and perform the way I wanted as an amateur baseball player,” said Toledo, a civil engineer who lives in San Antonio. “Plus my job has me doing inspections all the time, standing up all day, going up stairs.”
“Last Spring I said I needed to do something different. I had read a lot about regenerative medicine treatments like Stem Cell Injections, Platelets and Prolotherapy. That’s how I ended up in Dr. Z’s office.”
Toledo sought the help of noted Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician Dr. Annette Zaharoff, medical director at the Non-Surgical Center of Texas.
Dr. Zaharoff, who teaches doctors from around the world on the best practices for utilizing certain regenerative medicine treatments, proposed a physical therapy regimen to help strengthen the muscles and tendons around his right knee. Then, Toledo would undergo a combination of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections and Prolotherapy injections.
After four months of seeing the Non-Surgical Center of Texas physical therapy staff, Toledo was ready to undergo more than a dozen injections in one session. “She put the Prolotherapy injections on the tendons and the ligaments to help them repair and make them stronger. Then the PRP is what she put into the knee joint itself, helping it to regenerate.”
“My right knee is the best knee I’ve had in the last 10 years,” Toledo said. “I didn’t play baseball until the first week of November when I went down to Florida for my tournament. I played nine games in seven days. My knee barely swelled.”
“I’m convinced that Dr. Zaharoff helped me avoid a knee replacement surgery. I’m feeling great. I would recommend her to anyone who needs help with joint pain.”
Prolotherapy Injections Relieve Lifetime Of Sciatic Pain for 76-year-old Martial Artist
Alan Gingrich dealt with a lilfetime of sciatic pain before Prolotherapy injections helped him get relief.
Alan Gingrich lived with sometimes crippling back pain for all of his adult life.
“It was so bad. I could be standing at the counter shaving in the morning and I could feel my back tightening up going to the left and I’d end up leaning over,” said Gingrich, a 76-year-old retired Doctor of Oriental Medicine. “I’d have to crawl on the floor I couldn’t get up and stand.”
He tried cortisone injections, but the relief was temporary. He had back surgery. That helped for a couple of months, but the pain returned.
Gingrich saw one of the nation’s leading orthopedic surgeons to schedule a major procedure involving rods, screws and brackets that would be placed in his spine. “I had second thoughts about that, and when I told him I was cancelling the surgery he said, ’I don’t blame you. I have back problems, too, and I’m not going to have back surgery.’ ”
Gingrich tried a chiropractor who used an alternative therapy to separate the vertebrae, but again, the relief was temporary. He was about to be resigned to having to live with back pain. Then, Gingrich spoke to a medical doctor and friend in Arizona who had recently resolved his back pain with an injection therapy called Prolotherapy. Prolotherapy, or regenerative injection therapy, is treatment of tissue with the injection of an irritant solution such as dextrose into a joint space, weakened ligament, or tendon to relieve pain.
Gingrich researched physicians in San Antonio and found Dr. Annette Zaharoff, Medical Director at the Non-Surgical Center of Texas and one of the nation’s leading practitioners in the use of injection therapies to treat joint and musculoskeletal injuries. She regularly leads clinics to teach physicians about the most effective utilization for Prolotherapy, and is helping develop a global curriculum on the subject for the non-profit Hackett Hemwall Patterson Foundation.
After a consultation, Dr. Zaharoff lined out a course of therapy. It would start with aggressive physical therapy under the direction of the Non-Surgical Center of Texas’ Director of Physical Therapy, Julie Barnett, D.P.T. After a few months, Gingrich could begin Prolotherapy injections.
“I noticed improvement after the first set of injections,” Gingrich said. “At times I would feel a little bit of tingle in my left leg or hip. Then it would go away. After every set of injections it just improved more so I have none of that now.”
After a series of six injections performed one month apart in 2016, Gingrich is back to doing many of the activities he loves. A former black belt in traditional martial arts, he is now practicing a form of Okinawan martial arts that often involves the use of staffs and other weapons. He works out five days a week, and also leads a weekly Tai Chi class.
“I cannot recommend Dr. Zaharoff highly enough,” Gingrich says. “I am living free of back pain for the first time in my adult life. Thank you Dr. Zaharoff!”
PRP Injections Shave A Year Off Recovery From Torn Achilles Tendon
Michael Covington avoided foot surgery for a torn Achilles tendon thanks to PRP Injections he received from Dr. Annette Zaharoff.
I was bicycling with my wife in the McAllister Park area a few years ago when my foot slipped and I tore my Achilles tendon on the pedal. I went to the doctor and was told I would need an operation, which would also entail having about 18 months of recovery.
I didn’t like the idea. Then, my wife saw an article in the newspaper about Dr. Annette Zaharoff and her non-surgical approach to helping patients with injuries like mine.
I made an appointment at the Non-Surgical Center of Texas. I explained my concerns about the long recovery process tied to surgery.
After Dr. Z evaluated me, she told me I was a good candidate for Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Therapy, also known as PRP.
Dr. Zaharoff took some of my blood and placed it in something called a centrifuge, which spun the blood to separate my platelet cells from my red and white blood cells. She then took the concentrated platelets mixture and injected it into the area of my injured Achilles tendon.
I received a total of four shots in one session, and then started physical therapy with the staff at the Non-Surgical Center of Texas. The results were fantastic.
My Achilles tendon grew back together. Within about six months, I was pain free and back to doing everything I wanted to do – riding bikes, exercising, going to the gym and just walking around enjoying life.
PRP Injection Therapy saved me from having to go through surgery. It cut down on my rehabilitation time from 1 ½ years to about six months. And ever since then, I have never had any problems with the Achilles tendon.
I would highly recommend PRP and Dr. Annette Zaharoff to anyone who would be a candidate for this procedure.
Michael Covington, CPA
Prescription exercises make up successful recipe for back pain relief for personal chef
Kris McKay turned to the Non-Surgical Center of Texas to help her deal with back pain.
I went to a doctor and they said I had a left-leaning disc in my back. I don’t’ know how it happened. I went to physical therapy and it seemed to help.
Then I moved to Texas to be closer to my aging parents. When I got here, I started to experience neuropathy, with nerve issues going down the back of my leg. I started to worry I was going to need back surgery. My grandmother had several back surgeries, and by the end of her life she was on enough drugs to put down an elephant.
I didn’t want that. I saw a therapist who also was a patient of Dr. Annette Zaharoff, and she told me in no uncertain terms to go to the Non-Surgical Center of Texas for treatment.
Dr. Zaharoff was amazing, really calm and very firm with me in a good way. She said: We are going to help you. This is what you need to do. Here is how we are going to do it.
When my dad passed away, I still was seeing the physical therapists at the Non-Surgical Center of Texas. The entire staff there was just so considerate, kind and generous in spirit. They really helped me through that difficult time.
I kept going and following the prescription of exercises. Then this strange thing started to happen: I started to have days on end without pain. I started to move more and exercise more.
Dr. Z taught me the importance of thinking about body mechanics and to do things differently to get well, to be mindful of every time I reach in the back of the car to get groceries, or when I pick up something off the floor.
I highly recommend Dr. Annette Zaharoff and the staff at the Non-Surgical Center of Texas. If you are willing to listen, to follow instructions and to be mindful, you will get better.
Kris McKay
Professional chef
Prolotherapy injections and PT relieve severe hand pain for quilting artist
Quilting artist Leslie Jenison received Prolotherapy treatments to help with severe hand pain and arthritis.
I had pain in both of my hands. Some of it is just probably how my joints are put together, but it is all aggravated by the repetitive motion issues in the work I do as an artist who makes contemporary quilts and who designs fabric for the quilting industry.
I have arthritis in both hands, and tendinitis in the fingers and up to the wrist. I had tendinitis in the elbows, too. I had a variety of treatments in the past – multiple injections of steroids and physiotherapy, and I was still struggling with the issue.
My friend recommended Dr. Annette Zaharoff. Dr. Z recommended a fairly extensive course of physical therapy for both hands. And then we started doing Prolotherapy. We alternated hands. I did three rounds in both hands over the course of several months.
The last round of injections, when she asked me how I was doing, I said I have absolutely no pain. I went from having loss of strength and persistent pain to feeling like my hands were back to the point before any of it started.
I have to say I was skeptical of whether Prolotherapy would work. I didn’t know anything about this type of technique. I used to be a practicing registered nurse, and this was well outside the parameters of what I considered an effective course of treatment. When you are trying to find a treatment modality that is effective, however, it’s important to be open-minded about it, and try anything on a conservative basis before you try anything more invasive, such as surgery.
Along with the Prolotherapy injections, I was prescribed a regiment of physical therapy with Dr. Z’s staff. It was absolutely wonderful. Everyone I interacted with in the physical therapy department of her practice was excellent at their work, extremely knowledgeable, empathic and helpful.
I am delighted about the outcome. I have no idea how it could have been better. Along with relieving the pain in my hands and wrists, the tendinitis issues in my hands and elbows cleared up, too. I went from having chronic tendinitis in both my elbows to having absolutely none.
I recommend Prolotherapy and the Non-Surgical Center of Texas to anyone dealing with this type of chronic pain.
Leslie Jenson
Professional quilting artist
I injured my back in June of 2014. My symptoms included muscle spasms, tingling, numbness, and burning in my legs and pelvis, along with an inability to sit or stand for long periods. For the next two months, I experienced a gamut of conventional treatments for herniated, bulged, and degenerative discs. Some of these treatments included oral steroids, epidural steroid injections, pain medications, and physical therapy. My symptoms persisted along with a considerable amount of pain and discomfort.
In September 2014, I began seeking the advice of several orthopedic spine surgeons all of whom recommended spinal fusion or some alternative surgery.
In an effort to avoid back surgery, I began researching alternative treatment options. My search led me to the Non-Surgical Center of Texas. Dr. Zaharoff reviewed my records, conducted an examination and was confident she could help.
I started physical therapy in January 2015, and in March of 2015, Dr. Zaharoff administered a series of prolotherapy injections into the ligaments in my lower back. The pain and symptoms gradually began to subside, and by July 2015, I had improved substantially. My legs and pelvis were quiet and the pain level negligible. The combination of physical therapy and prolotherapy worked for me.
It has been almost two years since my injury. I am back to an active lifestyle and I have been able to avoid surgery.
The comprehensive care I received at the Non-Surgical Center of Texas from Dr. Annette Zaharoff, MD, Dr. Julie Barnett, DPT, and Mrs. Julie Miller, MPT, was quite remarkable. The professionalism, expertise, experience, and commitment to patient care were apparent from the initial exam to the final appointment.
I highly recommend The Non-Surgical Center of Texas to anyone with an injury that can be addressed with a non-surgical approach.
Cathy Taylor,
Girls’ Athletic Director – George West ISD
This is a follow-up testimonial received March 2017
I traveled to Arizona over spring break to do some hiking.
After day hikes in Sedona, confident my back was up to the challenge of backpacking, I went on a 25-mile trek into and out of Havasu Canyon to see the waterfalls.
Upon my ascent, having no difficulties other than blisters, I took time to reflect and silently thanked those who have been pivotal in helping me get to this point.
I am two years post-prolotherapy, compliant with stretching and core exercises, and I continue to do well.
Once again, thank you Dr. Annette Zaharoff, Julie Barnett, DPT, and Julie Miller, PT, for the care I received at the Non-Surgical Center of Texas.
Cathy Taylor,
Girls’ Athletic Director – George West ISD
From a letter to Dr. Zaharoff from a patient experiencing back pain due to a herniated discs who received steroid injections and physical therapy sessions.
“After those sessions, you allowed me to return to my normal schedule, however you prescribed a series of exercises that you and (Director of Physical Therapy) Julie Barnett prepared, and told me that I was to do them “forever.” …
The purpose of this letter is to thank you . . . for the excellent care I received from you and your staff. I have followed your “forever prescription of exercises” and I have not missed a single day of doing the designated exercises. The results have been excellent and I am so grateful that even at my advanced age, I am able to do all of the normal things I desire to do.
Please know how grateful I am to you and your staff for the excellent care, treatment and advice I received.
Bernard P. Harris
I am 68 years old. I surgery on both knees about 50 years ago. Football injuries. About 30 years ago I moved from Laredo out to the family ranch near Encinal, Texas. For about 20 years I loved taking long walks on the ranch. About 10 years ago my left knee started really bothering me, so I quit taking my walks. I figured I was doomed to getting an artifical knee. Then I heard about Dr. Zaharoff.
I took a blood test, and had an MRI for the knee, and started PRP treatments. Today about a year later, I can honestly say the treatment was a success. About two weeks ago I took a one hour walk on the ranch, and had no pain or discomfort. Just last weekend, my 25-year-old daughter came to visit from Duke University, and wanted to walk around the ranch, so off we went. I even had to climb up earthen banks about 20 feet high, and then descend on the other side. Success! No pain or discomfort.
Ricardo D. Palacios, Attorney at Law
Author – Tio Cowboy (Texas A&M Press, 2007)
It has been almost two years since I had my first stem cell injection in the left knee and almost one year since the right knee. Thank you. It works. I feel better and can do more than I have been able to do in years. I am amazed at how much more I can do each week. … With the stem cell injections I feel like I have new legs. Thank you.
Jan Hill. Satisfied patient
In February 2014 I hurt my Achilles tendon while riding my bike for pleasure. I thought it was just a bruise and waited for it to get better. In November 2014, I went to see a foot and ankle specialist because it had not recovered. After a month of therapy and an MRI, the specialist recommended surgery to repair the tendon because it was partially torn.
My wife saw an article in the SA Express News telling about Doctor Zaharoff, MD and her alternative procedure to treat this type of injury. I saw Dr. Z in February of 2015 and had four PRP injections into my Achilles tendon. After therapy that lasted through August of 2015, my improvement was so positive that I have now returned to all my normal activities and the tendon is feeling great.
I would highly recommend Dr. Z to anyone with a sports type injury that would like an alternative to surgery and a long recovery time.
Michael W Covington CPA
I appreciate knees….
My left knee is nearly 75 years old; my right knee is about 9. They both are arthritic, and they were both painful. My skilled and excellent orthopedic surgeon told me I could have my old knee replaced and my new knee could have a surgical revision — but I’m not fond of surgery.
I do have a choice, however, and my choice was non-surgical. Neither of my knees will ever regain their youth, but thanks to analgesic, training, strengthening and exercise programs, my choice is to keep my left knee and have no further surgery on the right.
I believe I’ve found a viable alternative to more surgery: The Non-Surgical Center of Texas. Annette Zaharoff, MD, Julie Miller, PhD and Julie Barnett, PhD and the top notch, inventive physical therapists at the Center have devised treatments that will allow me to keep my knees moving without resorting to more surgery and replacement. I don’t think I’ll run a marathon in the near future, but I will have reasonable knee function.
Thank you, ladies, for keeping my knees (and me) going!
Eileen Lundin
“In mid-January, after what I thought was a simple toe stub, I was in excruciating back and leg pain. After several hospital and doctor visits that did not do anything to identify the cause or a treatment except take pain pills. My daughter suggested that I visit Dr. Zaharoff for help. That was the best suggestion ever! Dr. Z listened to understand my situation. She was quickly identified the causes of my pain and provided a plan to get me out of the wheel chair and walking again. Dr. Z immediately made me feel confident she would help.
The team at Dr. Zaharoff’s have been absolutely wonderful! After an injection, to reduce the pain, the physical therapist helped me get stronger and taught me techniques and mechanics that equipped me to return my daily activities. Everyone’s caring, friendly and professional guidance
Thank you Dr. Z and team!”
Sandy Crockett, Corvette driver and busy employee
“I’ve had nonstop occipital headache/neckache for 33 years following 2 car accidents. One whiplash, one slow rollover with no seatbelt. When the car rolled over, I landed on my head, causing torn ligaments in my neck. They don’t show up on x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. Neck spasms cause the actual pain. The muscles in my neck stay contracted due to torn ligaments. Pain killers don’t help, since that cause is muscle spasms.
After over 500 doctor visits, I found a combination of anti-seizure pills (neurontin and clonazepam) which stop the pain.
I got lucky and found out about prolotherapy and Dr. Z. After just one set of prolo shorts, my neck spams are getting better. After six sets of shots, I’ve been able to get off of five pills. Hallelujah! Prolotherapy works! Thanks, Dr. Z.”
“Back in November 2010, I had an injury to my right shoulder and since I had planned a skiing trip for December, I decide to visit an orthopedic surgeon to get some relief and to ask if I could still go skiing. He took some x-rays and advised that a cortisone shot should get me over my difficulty. The treatment worked and I was able to go skiing as planned.
While on the skiing trip, my son advised me that if I continued to have trouble with my shoulder, I should consult with a prolotherapy practitioner. My son had experienced a similar injury and had gotten very good results with this kind of treatment. As it turned out, the cortisone shot was a temporary fix because sometime after I returned home, I began to have shoulder pain again so that it was interfering with my daily activities.
I made an appointment with Dr. Zaharoff and She diagnosed my injury as a torn rotator cuff and calcification of the bursa. She recommended a series of physical therapy sessions to strengthen and stretch the shoulder area and supporting structures in preparation for the prolotherapy injection treatment which she subsequently administered.
After a series of prolotherapy treatments combined with more physical therapy sessions, the pain in my shoulder began to subside and I started to regained use of my shoulder. I am now able to continue with my active life style. I should point out that it took more than a year to get over my injury but I would choose this route again rather than to have surgery. I also think that it took longer because of my age, I’m 74.
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. “Z” and her staff as well as the physical therapy staff. I was always treated as a valued patient and they were dedicated to getting me well as possible, especially Dr “Z”. ”
Alfred Medina
“It has now been several months since my treatment ended. Since then I have continued my normal activities working around the ranch without pain in my knee. I had not however given the knee a real test. In May, 2012 I traveled to Durham, NC to attend my daughter’s graduation from Duke University where she received her Masters in Environmental Science. I had to walk all over the campus, probably two or three miles in total, and I experienced no pain whatsoever.
In June, 2012, I traveled to Seattle, WA to attend my son’s graduation from Bastyr University where he received his Masters Degree in Accupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I had to walk all over the Fremont Neighborhood of Seattle and around the Bastyr campus. Several miles in total, and again I experienced no pain whatsoever. For me, PRP worked! And, I am so happy that it did.”
Ricardo Palacias
“Regardless of which physical therapist I saw, I knew they were going to know my case just as well as the last person who saw me. You’re not just another number. They go over their patient’s records carefully and review your case with you so you know what to expect. That’s really a key communication piece that doesn’t happen in most places.”
Anita Garza
Ace in the Hole
“There was no anesthesia, no surgery and no time in a hospital bed. For me, it was a simple, effective treatment. My injury was so bad I couldn’t shoot a gun. Now, I’m out on the range shooting big guns.”
Bill McLennan, retired police officer
“My foot had been hurting but not to the point where I couldn’t run. Dr. Zaharoff looked at it and told me the tendon could rupture, so I reluctantly stopped running and made a follow-up appointment to see her. She answered all my questions. She was very open about the injury, what I could expect from recovery and how long it might take. It was very good. I’m running again. Her staff is extremely friendly; they couldn’t be nicer. It’s really a great group to work with.”
Ann Allwood, senior marathon runner
“If I had not gone to see Dr. Zaharoff and followed her regimen and done the things she advised me to do, there’s no way I’d have been able to do the Rock ‘N Roll Marathon. I couldn’t even walk up or down the stairs. Now I have no problem walking the stairs – or running a half marathon.”
“These days, I only have slight tenderness if I run too far or too hard. She has helped me so much, not only to run pain free, but to get back my confidence. I love Dr. Zaharoff and what she does.”
Angela Reid, registered nurse and marathon runner
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“I am 59 years old and was suffering from chronic pain in my left knee which resulted in a limp when I walked, the pain was starting to show. A surgeon diagnosed my fear, worn cartilage and artheritous. But, surgeries are hard on your body not to mention the pain from the healing process, plus months of therapy.
I did some research and found Dr. Z. She recommended prolotherapy injections. The first injection was painful, but each one thereafter less so. Today, my limp is gone, I exercise regularly, have no pain and am grateful that I was able to avoid surgery.”
Ronald Cosper, San Antonio