If you’ve poked around in the health community at all, you’ve probably heard the terms “stem cell therapy” or even “regenerative medicine” being thrown around more often lately. In fact, this innovative therapy is becoming more prominent in the world of sports as athletes like Missouri-native MLB star Max Scherzer use stem cells to recover and get back in the game. In recent years, the use of regenerative stem cell therapy has expanded and can even be found in the treatment of several common foot and ankle issues.
But what exactly is stem cell therapy, and who would benefit from this procedure? Find out in our blog below:
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are pretty unique. They differ from other cells in your body because they have the ability to change into specialized cells and divide to produce even more stem cells. They come in two forms: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells can turn into more than one type of cell. Meanwhile, adult stem cells, which can be found in certain types of tissue, have a narrowed capacity to transform into other cells.
What is the Role of Stem Cell Therapy in Podiatry?
Let’s say you have an injured ankle. Stem cell therapy can be used to heal your ankle’s soft tissues. Your podiatrist will introduce the stem cells into the affected ankle, and these cells will then begin repairing the damaged tissue! Additionally, these newly-injected cells will tap nearby cells to help out with fixing your ailment. This will help reduce inflammation quickly while accelerating the healing process!
Is It Safe?
Absolutely! Stem cells occur naturally within the human body, so treatment is incredibly safe.
What are the Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy?
Aside from it being a natural and safe procedure, stem cell therapy boasts several other benefits to the patient. The clinically proven process is effective as it targets the cause of the injury (rather than treating the symptoms). Injections are painless with no incisions required, and patients experience a full healing quickly.
Who Should Receive Stem Cell Therapy?
Fortunately, this treatment effectively treats an array of podiatric conditions, including:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Arthritis
- Chronic ankle sprains
- Soft tissue damage
- Other conditions that have historically been challenging to treat
Want to learn more about regenerative stem cell therapy? Call the knowledgeable doctors at The Foot & Ankle Center at (314) 487-9300. We’re constantly learning more about the latest podiatric technology so we can provide you with the high quality treatment you deserve.