A leading knee specialist at Northwestern University said Metta World Peace’s plan to undergo a blood-spinning procedure on his left knee Jan. 6 means he’s likely suffering from arthritis.
Dr. Wellington Hsu, an orthopedic surgeon who has not evaluated World Peace’s knee, said the Knicks forward is probably undergoing a procedure called Orthokine, which is not recommended to the masses, he said, because there’s “too little data’’ and clinical evidence is “sparse.’’
“Although the technology is intriguing, to date, we do not have enough evidence to recommend this treatment to the general population — nor is it covered by insurance plans,’’ Hsu said.
World Peace, 34, estimates he’s had his knee drained about five times since the beginning of training camp, including three times during the regular season. Hsu said that sort of swelling usually is a result of arthritis. World Peace had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in March.
Knee osteoarthritis is a condition that may benefit from Orthokine therapy, Hsu said. The Orthokine therapy is a little different from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
“Patients who suffer from osteoarthritis have significant pain and swelling as a result of local inflammatory factors in the joint that react to impact sports,’’ he said. “This treatment aims at binding and neutralizing these factors so that the symptoms can be improved. The thought is that this treatment is one for chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis and not acute problems like meniscus tears.’’
Hsu said the patient’s blood “is spun down while soaked with glass beads. These beads concentrate proteins that work to counteract the inflammatory factors that lead to knee osteoarthritis.’’
World Peace has missed the past two games with a sore left knee and hasn’t decided whether he will play until the blood procedure is done.
The procedure will be conducted in New York, according to World Peace, where it is not yet approved by the FDA.
“That doesn’t mean it can’t be administered in the U.S.,’’ Hsu said. “Practitioners who are properly trained can acquire the technology and perform the procedure in patients as an ‘off-label’ use. This is not a surgery. No special patents or licenses are needed.’’