Lawrence Whitlock has been dogged by knee trouble for several years. X-rays revealed level four arthritis with joint space between the bones considerably reduced. Although he was in a lot of discomfort, Lawrence wasn't too keen on surgery and wanted to delay it for as long as possible. He then heard about a clinical trial study for a new drug being developed by Pfizer that could block knee pain and improve functionality. So he signed up. Although a little nervous about participation, Lawrence wanted to be involved.
"I felt I was kind of in a corner. I had to do something to maintain some kind of functionality in my life, and the insurance companies were dragging, and things kept getting delayed and delayed, so I participated as a kind of emergency outlet."
The trial was a double-blind study where neither the participants nor the experimenters knew who was receiving the experimental treatment. However, Lawrence is sure he was given the medication because of the changes he soon noticed.
Just Short of a Miracle
"I am positive without a shadow of a doubt that I got the drug. I was able to function for almost two years because of the trial doctors working with me and giving me the shots."The trial was supposed to last for six weeks, but I ended up being in it for two years because they wanted to see the long-term effects, and I was a very good subject. The difference was unbelievable, just short of a miracle, actually. The only reason we stopped the program is because I finally got approved for a knee replacement.”