Arthritis Awareness Month may be over, but podiatry’s pursuit of revolutionary methods to heal this inflammatory joint condition continues. At Your Next Step, we are doing our part to push a particular technique, known as Amniotic Fluid Injections, for the treatment of arthritis. While traditional treatments like medications, orthotics, and physical therapy offer relief, some patients are great candidates for advanced, non-surgical options. Amniotic fluid injections represent a promising frontier in regenerative medicine, and in this article, we’ll talk about why they are so effective for arthritis sufferers.
What Are Amniotic Fluid Injections?
So, what are they? Interestingly, Amniotic fluid injections are derived from the womb. They use fluid from the protective membrane that surrounds a baby during pregnancy, known as the amniotic sac, ethically collecting it after birth.
The fluid is rich in a potent blend of natural biological components, including various growth factors, cytokines, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and specialized proteins.
It’s a common misconception that this is the same as stem cell therapy. However, it is non-embryonic and does not contain stem cells.
How Do Amniotic Fluid Injections Work?
The therapeutic effects of amniotic fluid injections stem from the powerful biological components within the fluid. Once injected into an arthritic joint in the foot or ankle, these components kick off a host of healing processes:
- Anti-inflammatory Action: The growth factors and cytokines work to significantly reduce inflammation within the joint. By calming the inflammatory cascade, they can alleviate pain and swelling.
- Pain Management: Certain elements within the fluid may help to dampen pain signals.
- Tissue Regeneration: The concentrated growth factors act as powerful signals to the body’s own cells. While they don’t replace damaged cartilage, they can encourage the repair of existing tissues and create a healthier joint environment.
- Lubrication and Cushioning: The presence of hyaluronic acid (a natural lubricant found in healthy joints) helps to improve joint fluidity and provide a supporting effect that reduces joint friction.
Benefits for Foot and Ankle Arthritis
For people suffering from osteoarthritis, these injections reduce pain and inflammation while improving joint function by targeting the enzymes that break down cartilage. This slows the degenerative process by fostering a more favorable healing environment within the joint.
Similarly, in inflammatory autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, the injections can manage localized joint inflammation and pain by promoting the growth of existing healthy cells within the joint (though without targeting the systemic nature of these diseases).
For those experiencing post-traumatic arthritis following a past injury, amniotic fluid can significantly aid in the healing of damaged joint tissues and work to enhance joint stability.
Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, Dr. Aliza V. Eisen, and Dr. Cassandra Stache are happy to solve your foot and ankle problems. Book your appointment and contact us today!