According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), most people in the U.S. travel 75,000 miles on their feet by the time they’re 50, and approximately 8 in 10 Americans have experienced a foot problem at some point in their lives. Because the feet support the entire body and are responsible for helping you maintain balance and posture, foot health is critical for overall body health. Over time, the wear and tear on your feet can cause a variety of foot conditions to develop, including heel pad atrophy, arthritis, Achilles tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis. But there are new regenerative medicine therapies that might be able to solve your foot pain.
Central Kansas Podiatry Associates Uses Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine, also called stem cell therapy, promotes the restoration of injured or damaged tissue through the use of stem cells. This therapy can be beneficial for a wide variety of foot conditions and foot pain, as well as wound care, inflammation, tendinitis, scar tissue, cartilage damage, and much more. What’s interesting about stem cell therapy is how the cells can divide and change into whatever cell type is needed to assist in repairing damaged tissue.
For podiatric regenerative medicine, the primary focus has been mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These are adult stem cells not derived from embryonic tissue. MSCs can be easily harvested from bone marrow during surgery. One major benefit of using this type of autograft is “differentiation”—the cells can differentiate into other cell types, including bone cells, fat cells, muscle cells, and cartilage cells. Additionally, MSCs are self-replicating, which is important because if stem cells were used to treat a tendon injury, the cells would not only differentiate into tendon cells, but they would replicate to increase the effectiveness of the therapy.
The skilled podiatrist at Central Kansas Podiatry Associates, Dr. Benjamin Weaver, understands the benefits of regenerative medicine and how certain therapies can help specific foot conditions and pain. Here, he discusses these therapies and how they can support tissue repair and may provide the pain relief you need for your feet.
SoftWave Therapy
SoftWave is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing in injured soft tissues and triggers the body's natural healing processes. The treatment is particularly effective for chronic conditions that haven't responded well to other treatments. Its cutting-edge design enables maximum tissue penetration, unlocking the full potential of biological effects to heal at a cellular level. When Softwave Therapy is applied to the heel, these waves penetrate deep into the tissue to reach the bone and the ligaments that attach to it. At the cellular level, SoftWave has been shown to:
- Stimulate tissue regeneration. The acoustic waves trigger the production of new, healthy tissue to replace the damaged areas around the spur. This helps to cushion and protect the bone while reducing inflammation.
- Increase blood flow. SoftWave therapy enhances circulation in the treated area, bringing oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing.
- Break up calcifications. Over time, the repetitive acoustic pulses can help to break up the calcified deposits that form the heel spur. While the spur may not disappear completely, this process can help to reduce its size and make it less irritating to the surrounding tissues.
- Release trigger points. Heel pain is often accompanied by tightness and trigger points in the calf muscles and plantar fascia. SoftWave therapy can help to release these knots, allowing the muscles to relax and alleviating the pulling forces on the heel.
Dr. Weaver may recommend Softwave Therapy for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, sports injuries, chronic joint pain, and neuropathy.
Synapep BPC-157: Oral Peptide Medication
In the human body, blood flow to the foot and ankle is limited, so injuries to these areas can be slow to heal. Dr. Weaver may use a new oral peptide medication called Synapep BPC-157 (Synapep) to speed recovery and reduce inflammation in injured foot and ankle tissues. This cutting-edge oral peptide formulation is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional peptide delivery. It has been found to address complex and chronic foot and ankle conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, post-surgical foot and ankle repair, and ligament and tendon injuries, and is especially effective when used with platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapies, or biologics.
Oral peptides for foot and ankle injuries offer a less invasive and more convenient alternative to injectable treatments, though they may be absorbed and utilized by the body less efficiently. The specific peptides used in regenerative medicine can help promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and accelerate healing.
DPMx Tissue Allograft
DPMx tissue allograft is a type of regenerative medicine product that uses minimally processed human birth tissue allografts from the umbilical cord to promote healing and support damaged soft tissue in a foot wound. These human birth tissues contain natural components like elastin and growth factors that help cells travel to the injury site, support tissue recovery, and reduce inflammation and pain. DPMx is designed to supplement lost cushioning and replace missing tissue, aiding in the reconstruction and regeneration of injured areas in the body. It is distinct from other allografts like DBM or amniotic membrane.
Benefits of DPMx
There are many advantages to DPMx as a treatment for foot wounds, including the following:
- DPMx is used to help regenerate and reconstruct injured soft tissue, particularly in the lower extremities.
- DPMx helps reduce and alleviate pain at the site of application by promoting healing.
- DPMx supplements or replaces missing tissue, which can help improve the body's ability to heal itself.
Remy Laser Therapy for Foot and Ankle Pain
Remy laser therapy is a laser treatment that uses focused light to penetrate the tissue and target the root cause of pain and inflammation. Remy laser therapy emits wavelengths of light, and the cells in the foot absorb that light. This prompts the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the main energy source for cells. Increased ATP production promotes tissue repair, reduces inflammation, and accelerates healing.
Why You May Feel Pain Relief Faster
Remy laser's therapeutic wavelengths penetrate deep into injured tissues, reducing inflammation. The therapy stimulates the body’s natural healing processes, helping reduce pain and muscle tension in the affected area. Many patients report feeling some pain relief immediately following the first treatment; however, it's important to note that this immediate improvement is often temporary, as the underlying condition still needs time to heal fully.
Ongoing Treatment Can Provide Cumulative Benefits
While you may feel better right away, the most significant healing occurs through a series of Remy laser treatments. Dr. Weaver may recommend a treatment plan with multiple sessions, depending on your specific condition and the severity of your symptoms. With each subsequent treatment, the therapeutic effects of the laser build on each other, stimulating cellular regeneration and repair. Over the course of your treatment plan, you should notice a gradual and more lasting reduction in pain, inflammation, and other symptoms.
Liposana Tissue Allograft
Liposana is a type of tissue allograft that transplants fat cells to restore lost cushioning in the feet. Because the fatty layer under your foot can thin due to injury, excessive pressure, or aging, Liposana was specifically designed to address the pain associated with fat pad atrophy.
This minimally invasive procedure transplants tissue from a donor of the same species. It is not an autologous fat transfer that uses liposuction to harvest fat from one area of your own body and inject it into another. Liposana is an "off-the-shelf" solution, with no need for a surgical harvesting procedure.
How it Works
Liposana is an injectable human adipose (fat) tissue allograft used to restore the natural padding in the foot. This helps alleviate pain and provides shock absorption. The procedure involves implanting natural, ready-to-use tissue into areas with lost or damaged fat, such as the heel or ball of the foot, where it provides immediate cushioning. Over time, the implanted tissue integrates with the body's own tissue to provide a long-lasting solution.
The Potential Benefits of Liposana
There are other treatment options for fat pad atrophy and related foot pain, so you may wonder about the advantages of Liposana. One major benefit is improved foot function. By restoring your foot's natural padding, Liposana can help redistribute pressure more evenly across your foot as you walk and stand. Many patients report feeling more stable and comfortable on their feet. Additionally, you rarely need extra treatments because Liposana transplants fat cells that integrate with the surrounding tissues for a permanent cushioning effect.
Contact Central Kansas Podiatry Associates to Discuss Regenerative Medicine Options
Dr. Weaver and his associates understand that persistent foot pain can interfere with your daily activities and make it difficult to live a full life. For some patients, that foot pain can be addressed using traditional therapies, including RICE and stretching exercises; however, often, the pain is due to a foot condition that needs more advanced intervention. Regenerative medicine therapies aren’t right for every patient, but they may be the solution to your foot pain. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Weaver to discuss your symptoms and to see if regenerative medicine therapies might work for you. Read our testimonials to see how regenerative medicine has helped other patients with painful foot conditions.