If you experience an Achilles tendon injury or sprain your ankle, regenerative medicine may relieve inflammation and speed up your body’s healing process. At North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists, Joshua Epstein, DPM, AACFAS, FACPM, and Sarina Epstein, DPM, AACFAS, offer several types of regenerative medicine, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP). To make an appointment in Gainesville or Lake City, Florida, call the nearest office today.
What is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine includes cutting-edge therapies that use growth factors, like stem cells or platelet-rich plasma, to encourage recovery following an accident, injury, or illness.
Regenerative medicine procedures are minimally invasive and require little downtime. What’s more, there are no incisions, stitches, or sutures to worry about.
What conditions can benefit from regenerative medicine?
North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists uses regenerative medicine to treat various conditions that affect the feet and ankles, including:
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Sports injuries
- Neuroma
- Stress fractures
- Gout
- Arthritis
- Heel pain
- Ankle fractures
- Plantar fasciitis
Your provider might also recommend regenerative medicine following minimally invasive surgery to reduce the risk of complications and speed up the recovery process.
What are the types of regenerative medicine?
North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists offers several types of regenerative medicine, including:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
PRP is a type of regenerative medicine that involves your provider injecting a solution of growth factors (platelets) into an injured joint or area of soft tissue. Once the PRP solution enters your body, it reduces inflammation, increases circulation, and triggers the formation of new, healthy tissue.
Stem cell therapy
Stem cell therapy is similar to platelet-rich plasma. The difference is that it uses stem cells instead of platelets to encourage your body’s healing process. Stem cells are unique in that they can turn into any other type of cell. As a result, they’re especially good at healing damaged bone or soft tissue.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is a type of regenerative medicine that treats joint pain. Specifically, it involves your North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists provider injecting an irritant into one (or several) joints. The irritant triggers the formation of new connective tissue, reducing inflammation while encouraging mobility.
Is regenerative medicine safe?
Regenerative medicine is safe and usually well-tolerated. Following your appointment, it’s normal to experience some mild swelling or sensitivity at the injection site, but it should subside within a day or two. To ensure a positive outcome, make sure to follow your provider’s recovery instructions at home.
Is regenerative medicine right for my foot or ankle problem?
Your qualified podiatrist or sports medicine specialist can determine if regenerative medicine might benefit you. Following a review of your health history, a physical exam, and a discussion of your symptoms, North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists can develop a custom care plan that aligns with your needs.
To explore the benefits of regenerative medicine, make an appointment at North Florida Foot & Ankle Specialists by calling the nearest office today.