09 Mar Amniotic Stem Cell Injections for Foot and Ankle Problems
Amniotic stem cells are considered to be undifferentiated or multipotent cells. They have the ability to differentiate into many lineages of cells. These lineages include skin, bone, blood, muscle, and liver cells. The possibility of using amniotic derived stem cells to heal foot and ankle problems is a two-fold solution.
A major health problem faced by patients with diabetes or other diseases causes foot wounds or leg ulcers that can be difficult to cure. With the use of amniotic derived stem cells, patients suffering from these conditions will actually see a cure from something that was previously incurable.
How Do Amniotic Stem Cell Injections Work?
To understand the mechanism of how amniotic stem cell injections work, we must first take a step back and look at how they are harvested and processed then added back into the body. Amniotic stem cells can be harvested through the collection of amniotic fluid during the birth of a child.
Amniotic stem cells are derived from the amniotic fluid and tissues that are found in the womb of a pregnant woman. The fluid is obtained during scheduled c-sections. Normally it would be discarded after the birth.
Once the fluid is collected, the stem cells are filtered out and processed. They can then be added back into the body. With amniotic derived stem cells, they have the ability to differentiate into many different types of cells.
The stem cells are injected into the afflicted area. There have been many successful cases where tissues have grown back from previously incurable conditions. The treatment of ulcers and wounds to the ankle and foot often do well with an injection of the stem cells, a specialized kind of tissue to be placed over the wound, and debridement before the stem cells are injected.
The amniotic stem cell therapy can help patients avoid surgery and obtain pain relief with achilles tendonitis, ankle arthritis, difficult to heal wounds, plantar fasciitis and more.
The results of this treatment are amazing. In most cases, within two weeks there is a marked improvement in skin condition. There is improvement and complete healing seen in cases where extreme wound conditions were previously seen such as in limb salvage.
Uses of Amniotic Stem Cells
Amniotic stem cells are also used to add in the repair of bone fractures, arthritis, and other conditions affecting the foot and ankle. The treatment is performed in the same manner, with the injection in the afflicted area. For cases where there is a severe break, the injection will occur over a period of time. In cases where arthritis is treated, one injection is given, and then, another follows several weeks later to treat the cause of the inflammation and to give relief from the pain.
The difference in stem cell treatment versus the traditional treatment with cortisone shots is that stem cell therapy treats the root cause of the condition, seeking to change the course of the condition and create healing. Cortisone shots only lessen the pain and do not have the ability to change the course of the actual condition.
Conclusion
Amniotic stem cell injections are still being studied in their effectiveness to treat foot and ankle conditions. Clinical studies have shown marked improvement in patients suffering from wounds caused by conditions such as diabetes. Fractures and other injuries show promise in stem cell treatment as well with therapy occurring on a weekly or bi-monthly basis.
R3 Stem Cell works with foot and ankle specialists nationwide. The treatment works extremely well and is administered as part of numerous research studies. Visit the site today to find a clinic close to you for stem cell therapy for your foot or ankle problem!
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