Arthritis
Arthrits pain
CAUSES
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common arthritic conditions people suffer from. This is a degenerative joint disease known as the “wear and tear” arthritis. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder and shows signs of damage much more early in life. Osteoarthritis symptoms include pain and swelling in the joints after periods of rest and may last for 15-20 minutes. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms may last for an hour or more and the symptoms are more severe.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is made by obtaining x-rays to see if there is a decrease in the joint space and surrounding bone spurs present at the level of the joints. With rheumatoid arthritis the digits begin to move laterally (towards the outside) of the hand and feet. Boney destruction can also occur over a long period of time.
TREATMENT
Conservative treatment consists of supportive, wider shoes to accommodate the pain and swelling in the feet. Steroid injections will offer temporary relief but more importantly at Mid-Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists we recommend amniotic injections consisting of a series of 2-3 injections given 1-3 months apart to help control the pain and swelling long term. Depending on the severity of the condition surgical intervention may be required to remove the spurs and reshape the bone to stop the constant impact causing the arthritic symptoms. In most cases you are to bear full weight immediately after outpatient surgery in order to keep the joints and muscles moving to prevent stiffening.
Amniotic Injections
Amniotic stem cells contain growth factors which are injected near damaged tissue to help them regenerate. They reduce inflammation and help to reduce healing time post-operatively. They are also very helpful when treating wounds such as diabetic ulcerations. Stem cell injections are very safe and effective with minimal to no adverse side effects. Stem cells are also better than PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections because they both initiate the repair process but stem cells also enhance regeneration of the tissues.
The majority of patients can expect reduced inflammation within hours but the reparative process can take up to 12 weeks depending on the severity of the condition.
Medicare has approved the use of amniotic injections for a variety of conditions.
Contact Mid-Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists today to find out which amniotic injection is the right one for you.
PRP vs Amniotic injections:
The research so far suggests that the trophic factors present in significant concentrations in these fluids cause progenitor cells (parent cells – a stem cell that is a progenitor of other cells or is the first in a line of developing cells) to proliferate and bring about the process of regeneration and healing. These cells are usually dormant or ‘asleep’, the presence of growth factors in PRP and Amnion derived fluid causes their growth and multiplication thus stimulating healing mechanisms.
PRP is growth factor fluid derived from the patient’s own blood. It brings about its positive effects by the suppression of inflammatory process, promotion of angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), and anti-apoptotic (inhibiting cell death) functions.
However, there are certain limitations for the use of PRP, the concentration of growth factors decreases with the age of the patient making the sample less useful. And requires 3 injections given once every 2-4 weeks and then yearly.
Amniotic fluid is derived from the innermost layer of placenta called the amnion. Even though amniotic allograft injections do not contain live stem cells, they do contain over 200 cell-derived factors that are contained in stem cells.
Placental tissue works through growth factors, proteins and cytokines that draw the patients local stem cells already in their body to the troubled area for regeneration of the tissues. Most people require one (1) injection every 3-5 years.
Compared to PRP, the growth factor profile of amnion derived fluid is pretty consistent and does not vary from patient to patient or more accurately, sample to sample.
