Foot Pain Specialist

What foot conditions are treated with stem cell therapy?

Many different painful foot conditions improve with stem cell therapy. The team at Dr. Stem Cell frequently treats the following foot problems:

Foot and ankle osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that develops as daily movement gradually breaks down the cartilage on the ends of bones. As the cartilage wears away, the bones rub together, causing pain, stiffness, loss of motion, and inflammation.

Though osteoarthritis normally occurs after the age of 50, younger people may develop post-traumatic osteoarthritis after sustaining an injury or trauma that damages the cartilage.

Tendinitis and tendinosis

Tendinitis refers to an inflamed tendon. This condition can affect any of the tendons in your foot or ankle, but it often occurs in the Achilles tendon due to overuse or a sudden increase in your activity.

Your symptoms may vary from a mild ache to pain, stiffness, a burning sensation, swelling, and visible knots. Achilles tendinitis typically causes pain along the back of your leg.

Tendinosis is a degenerative condition that develops when tears in the tendon fail to heal, causing chronic inflammation and pain.

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a ligament that runs along the bottoms of your foot, connecting the heel to the front of your foot. 

Repetitive movement, a tight calf muscle, high-impact activities, and arch problems can lead to inflammation in the ligament, a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis typically causes heel pain that’s worse when you first walk after resting.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis develops when your immune system attacks the synovial lining inside the joint. In addition to causing inflammation, pain, and joint stiffness, rheumatoid arthritis is known for morning stiffness that lasts at least an hour. 

Ligament injuries

Ankle sprains occur when one or more of the ligaments in your ankle are stretched or torn. Though ligament injuries are common and can happen any time you twist your ankle, they’re frequently the result of sports that demand quick, cutting actions.

An ankle sprain causes pain, inflammation, bruising, and an inability to use the ankle. If the ligament doesn’t heal properly, you can develop chronic ankle instability and frequent sprains.

How does stem cell therapy alleviate foot pain?

Stem cells are uniquely designed to self-replicate and produce new cells. Adult stem cells live throughout your body. When you’re injured, they migrate to the damaged area and perform multiple tasks: They regenerate new tissues to repair the injury, regulate inflammation, and release biochemicals such as exosomes and cytokines that stimulate healing.

When you receive stem cell therapy, a concentrated number of stem cells are injected into the injured tissues in your foot. The injected cells relieve your foot pain as they heal the tissues.

Where do the stem cells come from?

The team at Dr. Stem Cell uses mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes because they help regenerate tissues such as tendons, ligaments, muscles, and cartilage. Our Stem Cells are harvested from the Umbilical Cord Wharton's Jelly. We obtain them from an FDA Certified Transplant Laboratory located in Southern California. Our staff has personally toured the facility to ensure the highest quality and standards for our patients.

What should I expect before and during stem cell therapy?

If you have foot pain and you’re interested in stem cell therapy, it starts with an initial consultation at Dr. Stem Cell to determine if you’re a good candidate for stem cell treatment

Dr. Fishman performs a complete exam, including X-rays, and possibly an MRI, CT, or nerve study to evaluate the source of your back pain. If you’re approved for stem cell therapy, -

Two days before your stem cell treatment you will receive our unique IV infusion treatment containing vitamins, peptides and proteins. This will boost your cellular function and enhance your response to Stem Cell treatment. You will then be sent for Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment to support your upcoming Stem Cell procedure. 

Dr. Fishman then uses fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance to inject the stem cells precisely at the damaged tissues that are causing your foot pain.

In some cases, Dr. Fishman may mix the stem cells with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which supports and accelerates healing. They produce PRP in the office from a sample of your blood.

After your Stem Cell procedure you are immediately sent for a second Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment. 

Most patients need only one treatment session, with one injection for each damaged disc or joint, to alleviate their foot pain. 

You will follow up with Dr. Fishman 4 weeks after your Stem Cell procedure. At that time, you will have your first FDA approved muscle building emscult treatment if appropriate to your condition. 

You need to rest for a few days after your procedure, and you’ll notice that your foot pain improves over the next few months as the stem cells rebuild tissues and rehabilitate your injury. You will have regular follow ups with your doctor at 3, 6 and 12 months to document your improvement. 

If you suffer from chronic foot pain, call Dr. Stem Cell or book an initial consultation online.