Stem Cell and PRP Injections
One of the most common sites for people to experience injuries is in their feet and ankles. The constant pounding that these extremities endure everyday makes them susceptible to all sorts of problems, from chronic pain to acute trauma.
Recent advances in regenerative medicine have made it possible to treat these injuries with stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. These innovative treatments help the body heal itself, in one of the most natural ways possible. Best of all, these therapies can provide long-lasting relief from pain, as well as restore function for a wide variety of foot or ankle issues.
How Does Regenerative Medicine Work?
Regenerative medicine is a new and developing field that holds great promise for the future of medicine. It involves the use of stem cells and platelet-rich plasma to repair or replace damaged tissue and organs – which has the potential to revolutionize the way we treat many diseases and injuries. In the future, it is likely that regenerative medicine will become an essential part of healthcare.
Stem cells are a kind of “blank slate” cells that can develop into many different types of cells in the body, depending on where they are introduced. For example, stem cells may become heart muscle cells, nerve cells, blood vessel cells, cartilage, bone, and more. Additionally, these cells can renew themselves, essentially having the power to create new, healthy cells that can replace damaged cells in a particular area of the body. Stem cells are used to treat patients with a vast array of injuries.
There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are most commonly extracted from donated placenta after live births. This type of stem cell can develop into any type of cell in the body. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are found in several places in the adult body and are most commonly extracted from bone marrow or fat tissue. This type of stem cell can develop into a limited number of cell types.
PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is a concentration of platelets and growth factors derived from a small sample of your own blood. PRP has been used for decades in other medical specialties such as oral surgery, orthopedics, and sports medicine. More recently, PRP has been used as a treatment option for various aesthetic concerns, such as wrinkles and hair loss.
When PRP is applied to a target area, the concentrated platelet solution essentially supercharges the body’s own natural healing response. This results in the creation of new, healthy tissue that can replace existing damaged tissue.
How Is Regenerative Medicine Used for Foot or Ankle Issues
There are several ways in which orthobiologics – such as stem cell therapy and PRP therapy – can be applied to foot or ankle conditions to help promote healing and pain relief. These methods include:
- One way is by directly injecting the PRP or stem cells into the area of concern. This can help promote healing and regeneration of tissue in the area.
- Tissue Graft. Another way is by using the PRP or stem cells to create a scaffold on which new tissue can grow. This may be done during a foot or ankle surgery to help repair damage in the area caused by injury or disease.
- Wound Dressing. The PRP or stem cells may also be used in a dressing applied to a complex or difficult-to-treat wound.
How stem cell therapy or PRP therapy is administered will depend on the condition being treated, the severity of the condition, and any other treatment approaches being utilized. You may ask our surgeons if you are a good candidate for regenerative medicine.
Foot & Ankle Regenerative Medicine in RI, MA
If you are suffering from a foot or ankle injury, stem cell therapy or PRP therapy may be right for you. Contact one of our qualified regenerative medicine specialists today to learn more about this exciting new treatment option.
Call the Foot & Ankle Institute of New England office nearest you to get started: in Warwick or Middletown, Rhode Island, or Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Or use our convenient online appointment request form now.
