Stem Cell Therapy Helps Veteran Yankees Pitcher Get Back on the Mound

May 21, 2011 - PRLog -- Dr. Joseph Purita, through his company, the Institute of Regenerative and Molecular Orthopaedics, has been at the forefront of stem cell research. As one of the few physicians who utilize both bone marrow and fat stem cells in the treatment of muscular problems, Dr. Purita has spent his medical career on the cutting edge of anti-aging technology. He helped streamline the process by using supplements, prescription medications and new techniques to stimulate stem cell output. Using this combination of medical technologies has allowed Dr. Purita to develop various non-surgical solutions for many common orthopedic problems.

Yankees pitcher Bartolo Colon thought his career was over in 2009, after a number of injuries to his throwing shoulder and elbow -- ranging from bone chips to ligament, tendon and rotator cuff damage -- limited his starts and his effectiveness the previous three seasons. Not ready to give up his place on the mound, Colon had his doctors in the Dominican Republic seek out a U.S. surgeon with great knowledge and vast experience using stem cells for athletic injuries. After learning of Dr. Purita's advances in stem cell therapy for orthopedic medicine, Colon and his doctors turned to Dr. Purita in March 2010.

Using a number of different procedures, ranging from bone marrow stem cells to the grafting of fat cells, Dr. Purita went at the task of turning back the clock on Colon's career. Once Colon's shoulder and elbow had been rejuvenated using the stem cell therapies, it was time to give it a test run. Colon joined up with Aguilas and the Leones del Escogido to play in the Dominican winter league. Ecstatic over the success he was experiencing on the mound and the fact that he was pain-free for the first time in years, Colon decided to take the next step and announce that he would be making a comeback into Major League Baseball. The New York Yankees took a look at Colon and saw the same pitcher who had won 153 games in his big league career, and signed him to a minor league contract. They invited Colon to compete in Spring Training with the parent club as well, and were so impressed with his recovery that they signed him to the Yankees roster heading into the 2011 season.

Since then, Colon has been nothing short of magic. He was inserted into the Yankees rotation when young starter Phil Hughes experienced arm troubles, and in his first 6 starts, Colon has gone 2-2 with an impressive 3.16 ERA and a career-best 1.16 WHiP ratio. When asked about his career turn-around after recently shutting out the Baltimore Orioles for eight innings, Colon simply replied "I'm feeling really good!"

Dr. Purita has worked with a number of high profile athletes and professional non-athletes alike over the years, and his commitment to giving his patients a healthy, productive and pain-free lifestyle is the driving force behind his continuing medical advances.

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For more information on Dr. Joseph Purita and The Institute of Regenerative and Molecular Orthopedics, visit the Institute of Regenerative and Molecular Orthopaedics and see how an unconventional approach can lead to Major League success.