Savanna’s Story is one of empowerment and a lesson to patients
By Annette Pinder
Savanna Messachia is a local high school senior who loves sports – especially basketball. Last summer while running back on defense during the first quarter of a game, Savanna felt a pop after landing improperly on her right leg, and knew something was very wrong.
An MRI revealed a torn ACL and meniscus. Both injuries were repaired in surgery by her orthopedist, but Savanna couldn’t walk or put weight on her right leg for six weeks. She was also told that she would not be able to return to the game for nine months to one year.
But Savanna had a different plan, setting a goal for herself of getting back to basketball by January – less than five months after her surgery. She underwent physical therapy and worked out at the gym, but felt frustrated. It was taking too long to get better, so she decided to do some research. Savanna’s research put her in touch with other people who had experienced similar injuries as well as other possible treatments. She learned about stem cell injections being performed in Pittsburgh, and was ready to make an appointment when she learned that Dr. Mikhail Strut of RES Physical Medicine and Rehab in Cheektowaga performed the same therapy.
During Savanna’s appointment with Dr. Strut, he told her that stem cell injections would not work for her injury. Instead, he suggested prolotherapy. a technique used to treat chronic myofascial pain, back pain, osteoarthritis, and sports injuries. He explained that prolotherapy involves repeated injections of dextrose solution or other irritating substances into the joint, tendon, or painful tissue to stimulate a regenerative tissue response. Savanna allowed Dr. Strut to administer the prolotherapy injection because she trusted him. He told her, “I will treat you like family.” He carefully explained that the injections would cause her tissues to regenerate and strengthen her ACL so that she would never tear it again. Amazingly, Savanna felt stronger just one day after the injection, and she completed her last treatment on December 15.
When Savanna returned to her orthopedic surgeon to seek clearance to play, he told her he had never seen anyone heal this quickly. She began practicing on December 22 and played her first game on January 13 – after just 4-1/2 months.
Savanna’s story echoes that of renowned speaker, e-Patient Dave DeBronkart. After receiving a diagnosis of end-stage kidney cancer in 2007, Dave conducted research, learned of a new treatment, and is alive and cancer free. Dave shares his experience with all who will listen, encouraging them to connect with others and to advocate for themselves.
As for Savanna, she says she feels stronger than ever, and is grateful for her care and her father, who accompanied her to all medical appointments. Savanna says she could never have progressed as quickly without Dr. Strut’s help. She is looking forward to college, hopes to win an athletic scholarship, and wants to major in special education and open up her own daycare center.
To learn more about Dr. Mikhail Strut and prolotherapy, visit www.prolostrut.com or call 716-391-3570 to make an appointment.
