Foot pain is a common problem that many people will experience at some point in their lives. There can be many different issues that cause this, including plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a web-like ligament that connects the heel to the front of the foot. Once this ligament becomes inflamed degenerated due to injury or wear and tear, this causes pain and stiffness in the heel and is called plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis usually develops over time and typically affects one foot, although it can develop in both feet. Typically, the pain felt is after performing an activity and not during it.
Common risk factors for developing plantar fasciitis include:
- Older age
- Diabetes
- Prolonged standing or walking
- Obesity
- Having high arches or flat feet
If you’ve been struggling with plantar fasciitis, treatment is essential for performing daily activities pain-free. Oral pain medications and surgery come with a wide range of risks and side effects. Regenerative medicine offers natural, non-surgical alternative treatment options to alleviate the pain from plantar fasciitis and gets to the root of the problem.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an injection that utilizes your own blood to treat your pain. There are minimal risks associated with this treatment because it uses components in your own body. PRP is noninvasive, non-surgical, and can be done quickly at your next doctor’s visit.
To start PRP treatment, your doctor will draw a small amount of blood that is then spun quickly in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood cells. This high concentration is commonly referred to as “liquid gold” due to its hue. This “liquid gold” is then injected into a numbed area of the foot that needs the most healing. PRP injections come with little to no recovery time compared to a surgical procedure, so you’ll be ready to return to your daily activities as soon as possible.
Regenerative Cell Therapy
Regenerative cell therapy is another regenerative medicine treatment that is similar to PRP, as it is also an injection. This treatment injects mesenchymal cells into your affected foot to promote healing. Mesenchymal cells are found in Wharton’s Jelly, a gelatinous substance found in cesarean-born babies’ umbilical cord.
The Wharton’s Jelly is retrieved at the time of birth and causes no harm to the mother or baby. Throughout the pregnancy, the mothers are carefully screened and fully consenting to ensure the cell’s full effectiveness. The reason for mesenchymal cells being used is their youthfulness and high concentration of growth factors, cytokines, and proteins essential in the healing process. Due to these cells being young, there are fewer side effects associated with them than stem cells derived from other sources such as bone marrow or adipose tissue.
To learn about ways to treat plantar fasciitis and are in the Austin area, call (949) 673-3154 today to get a free consultation.